Mini Golf in Cutteslowe Park, Oxford

Crazy Croc's Mini Golf at Cutteslowe Park in Oxford.

I recently found out there's been a change to one of the minigolf courses in my home city.

Our fellow minigolf adventurers Matt and Helen Dodd were in Oxford and swung by Cutteslowe Park and let us know the course there is now an adventure golf-style layout.

When Emily and I visited back in 2008 and 2009 the course in the park was a Swedish Felt Mini Golf B-Run.

How the now lost minigolf course looked on a frosty day in December 2008

The new Crazy Croc's Mini Golf in Cutteslowe Park is a 9-hole layout.

Visit the Crazy Croc's Mini Golf website for more information, opening times and prices.

It'll be a new course to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.

Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf at Hotham Park in Bognor Regis

A look at the Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf course at Hotham Park in Bognor Regis.

A view of the 18-hole Adventure Golf course in Hotham Park. Photo by Matt Dodd

Our friends and minigolf rivals Matt and Helen Dodd were recently in Bognor Regis and swung by the new Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf course at Hotham Park.

Matt said the course was good but tough and had quite a few holes he’d never seen before.

The Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf course was built by the team at HM Adventure Golf. You can find out more about the Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf course on the Tivoli Lifestyle website.

While in the park Matt also had a look at the old Crazy Golf layout which is now a picnic area.

We're yet to play the Wildforest Falls Adventure Golf course. The old minigolf layout at Hotham Park and the Putting course that was formerly on the site were the 273rd and 274th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in October 2011.

Related blog posts:
- Matt Dodd
- Bognor Regis

Crazy Golf at the Haven Golden Sands Caravan Holiday Park in Mablethorpe

Our fellow minigolf adventurers Matt, Helen and Emily Dodd have been on a trip to the fine county of Lincolnshire and found plenty of courses to visit there. With the Dodd's staying at holiday parks they were able to play some courses that we never got to when we first visited Lincolnshire in 2011.

A dogleg hole at Haven's Golden Sands Crazy Golf course. You don't normally see a bridge/ramp on the fairway

This Arnold Palmer Putting Course was played in the Haven Golden Sands Caravan Holiday Park in Mablethorpe. What a great discovery.

A BIG minigolf elephant on the themed Arnold Palmer course

Plenty of obstacles in the path to the cup on this hole!

Tricky

Even trickier!

The hole below is a regular sight on Arnold Palmer Putting Courses and is very often a good opportunity for a hole-in-one. But this is the first time I've the hole with additional obstacles!

The ledge hole in Mablethorpe

A version of the hole in Whitby, Yorkshire

As hole 16 in Hastings, East Sussex

There is another Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Mablethorpe. The Hooks Island Crazy Adventure Golf was a 13-hole layout (12-holes, plus lucky last hole) when we played it in 2011.

Lincolnshire is a real hotspot for minigolf. Skegness alone has 102-holes spread across nine seafront courses!

The Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Skegness still has an old scorecard in use. It lists many of the Arnold Palmer courses that are long gone. A great bit of minigolf history

Related blog posts:
- Mablethorpe
- Matt Dodd
- Helen Dodd
- Arnold Palmer
- Haven
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Link:
- Haven

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Crazy Golf at Mill Hill Park in London

Back in 2012 I visited the 510th course on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour at Mill Hill Park in London. I'd been tipped off about its existence by fellow minigolfer Jon 'The Stance' Angel.

The Crazy Golf course in Mill Hill Park as it was in 2012

Last weekend our fellow minigolfing adventurers Matt and Helen Dodd were scouting out the north London region for places to play the game and sent through the snaps below. Not a lot has changed by the look of things!

The Crazy Golf course in Mill Hill Park as it is in 2016

Some of the holes look more playable than others

A bit of a ramp off of the tee off area!

Lumpy and bumpy

Related blog posts:
- Matt Dodd
- Helen Dodd
- Visiting the Crazy Golf course in Mill Hill Park, London
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Give the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour a Like on Facebook, watch our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter @putting_gott and @Ems_Lems.

You can also now sign-up to receive our miniature golf newsletter.

Report from the 2015 Worlds £2 Tat Challenge in Hastings

Results from the off-course shenanigans at the amusements in Hastings.

What the sport is all about

Since 2010 Crazy Mini Golfers from around the world have descended on the amusement arcades of Hastings to compete in 'Tat Challenge' tournaments.

One of the machines not in use this year

2015 would be no different at 23 competitors lined-up to fight for the honour and prizes that come with being the World Tat Challenge Champion.

The competitors receive some last minute instructions from The Buttons Committee

Following the first day's play of the World Crazy Golf Championships the group headed over the road to the Old Town Amusement Arcade for 20-minutes of non-stop tu-penny pushers gaming to see who could land the largest haul of prizes. There had been some doubt as to whether the event would take place, as in the lead-up to the contest on Saturday there had been reports that the Old Town Buttons had closed down and the site was up for sale!

Afternoon of the Living Dead - a shocking sight indeed

Fortunately the Old Town ones were open and buzzing on the big day itself. Rendering the recce to the buttons next to The Deluxe pointless. Speculation that an alternative venue would be 'Keith's' buttons down by The Stade were also dismissed as hogwash. Especially when the rumour included something about the use of ten pence pieces. A ridiculous notion.

Tatters Buttonsing

The 2015 champion was Helen Dodd with a total of seven bits of tat, leaving her closest rivals trailing in her wake with a mere four bits. The defending champion Kate 'Mrs' Kelly was unable to hold onto the crown as she slipped to a disappointing last place after drawing a blank.

The Champ Helen Dodd shows off her winnings as a character looks on

The modern era of the sport has quite possibly seen advances in technology that favour 'the house' as the days of one person winning an event with 40 pieces of tat (as veteran James Rutherford rocketed into his pocket during the great summer of sport in 2012).

Sussex's finest

With a total prize bag of 51 tats Helen declared that the toys and stuff would be put to good use as the 'second best Crazy Golfer in the Dodd household' (Emily Dodd) would be given them when Helen and Matt arrived back home.

Results of the 2015 Worlds £2 Tat Challenge (all competitors GB & NI except where stated)
1 - Helen 'Lucky 7' Dodd = 7
2 - John 'Forgot his Waffles' Moore = 4
2 - Richard 'Seen Better Days' Gottfried = 4
2 - Steve 'Stay Puft' Le Velle = 4
5 - 'Peter Peter Ice Cream Eater' Jones = 3
5 - Martin 'Alien' Greenhead = 3
5 - Ollie 'Little Alient' Greenhead = 3
5 - Steve 'The Treasure Hunter' Sturdy = 3
9 - Will 'Donnelaney' Donnelly = 2
9 - Tony 'Better than Kate this year' Kelly = 2
9 - 'The Portuguese Man o' War' Nuno Cunha (POR) = 2
9 - 'Big' Stevie Gow = 2
9 - Ed 'Dressed for the weather conditions for a change' Haynes = 2
9 - Chris 'Tusk' Wood = 2
9 - Adam 'On Par with Pa' Kelly = 2
9 - David 'Local Competitor' Hartley = 2
17 - Marion 'Local Athlete' Hartley = 1
17 - Mark 'Character' Wood = 1
17 - Matt 'Not top' Dodd = 1
17 - Steven 'Bonnie' Langford = 1
21 - Kathryn 'Debutee' Haynes = 0
21 - Ed 'Friend of Le Velle' Pope = 0
21 - Kate 'Oh dear what happened this year' Kelly = 0

To date ten official Tat Challenge competitions have been played with 800 bits of tat won for a total of £382.

Hands like lightning! Peter Jones in action

Local competitor Marion Hartley made her debut this year

The former People's Champion 'Big' Stevie Gow in action, with Johnny Waffles eyeing up some 'rattin' opportunities

Not winning this year

Keith Kellard stalks the floors for some loose change while David Hartley is in the zone. Kellard would eventually find over £2 in dropped money while everyone else competed

An Essex-based character playing the Buttons

Ed Haynes uncharacteristically wearing a jacket

£2 Tat Challenge Hall of Fame:

#1 - Paul Johnson - 9 pieces of Tat (World Title)

#2 - Richard Gottfried - 10 pieces of Tat

#3 - Alan Norman - 6 pieces of Tat +1

#4 - Polly - 11 pieces of Tat (World Title)

#5 - James Rutherford - 40 pieces of Tat

#6 - Richard Gottfried - 23 pieces of Tat (World Title)

#7 - Richard Gottfried and Mike Small - a tie with 32 pieces of Tat each

#8 - William Edwards - 8 pieces of Tat (World Title)
#9 - Kate Kelly - 10 pieces of Tat (World Title)
#10 - Helen Dodd - 7 pieces of Tat (World Title)

Related Blog Posts:

- Report from the 2013 World £2 Tat Challenge in Hastings
- Report from the 2013 World £2 Tat Challenge in Hastings

- Tat Challenge blog posts

Like the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on Facebook, check out our YouTube channel and follow me and Emily on Twitter. You can also sign-up to receive our newsletter.

Mini Gulf minigolf at Dismaland

Photos of the miniature golf course at Banksy's Dismaland Bemusement Park.

The oil caliphate themed crazy golf course at Dismaland

Our fellow minigolf enthusiasts Matt and Helen Dodd recently visited the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare and went along to the Dismaland theme-park created by renowned street artist Banksy. They were kind enough to send along some photos of the five-hole Mini Gulf course which features an oil caliphate theme.

A flamingo looks on

When I asked Matt, the reigning Surrey Invitational Minigolf Champion, what the it was like, he said "It was a dreadful course."

The corner of the flamingo hole

"But it's Dismaland after all." he added.

It might've been dismal, but it was only a quid a go. Although for five-holes after you've already paid to go in and it doesn't look so cheap. That grey sky looks bleak too

With the Dismaland site closing this weekend it's a course we won't ever get to play on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. But it's great to know that plenty of people got to have a go on the layout before it shut down.

Some barrels

A green

Matt and Helen recently hit 102 minigolf courses visited on their travels! Their landmark 100th course visit was the Tropical Trail course at Treetop Adventure Golf in Cardiff, Wales. That's another course on our 'to play' list! Matt also let me know there's an Adventure Golf course at Fishers Farm Park in Wisborough Green, West Sussex - that was their 101st course played.

Minigolf explorer Helen Dodd putting through an old tyre obstacle. In the Dismaland battle of the Dodds the result was a draw with a score of 18 apiece. There was no official par for the course. Nor were there scorecards

The Dismaland Bemusement Park was built on the site of the old Tropicana Lido on Marine Parade in Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset. You can watch the Dismaland advert on YouTube to see what you've missed.

Weston-super-Mare has some permanent mini and crazy golf courses that we have played. We've also played a few art installation miniature golf on our tour too.

Link:
- Dismaland website

Related blog posts:
- Banksy's Dismaland Bemusement Park
- New indoor adventure golf course in Cardiff, Wales
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Minigolf Report from the Surrey Invitational Tournament

Woking’s Matt Dodd wins the inaugural Surrey Invitational Minigolf Tournament.

Surrey Invitational Tournament Minigolf Champion Matt 'The Don' Dodd with the S.I.T. trophy in Epsom

On Sunday 16 November 2014 five semi-pro minigolfers competed in the first-ever Surrey Invitational Tournament in a two-round, two-course, 36-hole contest.

The Surrey Invitational Tournament competitors at the Pirate Island Adventure Golf course in Woking, from l-r Richard Gottfried, Emily Gottfried, Oliver Florence, Matt Dodd, Helen Dodd

The competition was played at two 18-hole Adventure Golf courses, with Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Hoebridge Golf Centre in Woking first up to test the players, followed by a visit to the Jungle Island Adventure Golf course at Horton Park Golf Club in Epsom.

Matt 'The Don' Dodd in action on one of the two Pirate Ship holes at the Pirate Island Adventure Golf course in Woking 

The champion after 36-holes of play was Matt ‘The Don’ Dodd, the current British number 30, who triumphed with a score of 94(+22), having shot rounds of 48 and 46.

Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried holing-out a long second putt at the Jungle Island Adventure Golf course at Horton Park Golf Club in Epsom

Speaking after his maiden victory, new Surrey Invitational Tournament champion Dodd said “Thanks to everyone who took part. The competition was strong and it went to the final hole. I look forward to defending my title next year.”

Helen 'Hells Bells' Dodd easily handling a water hazard hole at the Jungle Island Adventure Golf course in Epsom

The first stage of the S.I.T. was won by Burpham’s Oliver ‘The Machine’ Florence with a score of 45. However, the British International and veteran of tournaments including the 2010 AMF Asian Open Championships, was unable to compete in the second round due to prior commitments.

S.I.T. first round winner Oliver 'The Machine' Florence in action on the Pirate Island Adventure Golf course at Hoebridge Golf Centre in Woking

The scores and first-round rankings from the Pirate Island Adventure Golf at Hoebridge Golf Centre were:
1. Oliver Florence – 45 (+9)
2. Matt Dodd – 48 (+12)
3. Richard Gottfried – 50 (+14)
4. Emily Gottfried – 52 (+16)
5. Helen Dodd – 58 (+22)

Each round winner of the Surrey Invitational Tournament gets to lift the trophy, but only the overall winner gets to keep it for the year. First-round winner Oliver 'The Machine' Florence holds the S.I.T. cup at Hoebridge Golf Centre

Play moved to the Jungle Island Adventure Golf course where Luton’s ‘Squire’ Richard Gottfried collected the round victory with a score of 45.

'Squire' Richard Gottfried putts through the remnants of a dinosaur at the Jungle Island Adventure Golf course in Epsom

The scores and second-round rankings from Jungle Island Adventure Golf course at Horton Park Golf Club were:
1. Richard Gottfried – 45 (+9)
2. Matt Dodd – 46 (+10)
3. Emily Gottfried – 47 (+11)
4. Helen Dodd – 50 (+14)
5. Oliver Florence – DNS / DNQ

Second-round winner of the Surrey Invitational Tournament 'Squire' Richard Gottfried holds the S.I.T. cup at Horton Park Golf Club

However, this wasn’t enough to take the overall title as Matt Dodd’s score of 46 saw him take a one-shot victory and claim the Surrey Invitational Tournament title and trophy for 2014.

Overall S.I.T. champion Matt 'The Don' Dodd in action on the Jungle Island Adventure Golf course at Horton Park Golf Club in Epsom

The final rankings and two-round totals from the Surrey Invitational Tournament (S.I.T.) 2014 were:
1. Matt Dodd – 94 (+22)
2. Richard Gottfried – 95 (+23)
3. Emily Gottfried – 99 (+27)
4. Helen Dodd – 108 (+36)
5. Oliver Florence – DNF

The Surrey Invitational Tournament 2015 will be played in Guildford.

Report from the 2014 Worlds Crazy Air Hockey Championship in Hastings

Portugal's Nuno Cunha wins the Worlds Crazy Air Hockey Championship 2014.

Nuno Cunha and his prize of a big round pound received from Buttons Committee member Emily Gottfried

After the World £2 Tat Challenge the second of the amusement arcade championships contested at the Old Town Amusements in Hastings during the World Crazy Golf Championships weekend is the much sought after World Crazy Air Hockey Championship.

Amusements in Hastings, full of fun

This year a total of 32-players registered to compete and 31 actually turned-up.

With Peter 'The Crazy Aced Assassin' Jones making a welcome return to Hastings many of the crowd was eagerly anticipating seeing this wildman of the pucks in action. Unfortunately he was to be defeated at the hands of the Portuguese Man O' War Nuno Cunha who was in rampant form and won 7-4 in the semi-finals.



The other semi-final saw and all-Dodd match-up take place, with Matt picking up the win 5-3. Helen had defeated top talent including 'Squire' Richard Gottfried and Steve Lovell (by Rock Paper Scissors!?) in the preliminary stages.

Squire crashing out to Helen Dodd in the prelims. As per usual

Peter Roughley vs. Chris Hillman in quite a battle in the main arena

Local lad Ted McIver faces-off against Rhyl Professional Peter Jones on table 3

After a tie in the round stages Helen Dodd and Steve Lovell tied, with the crowd demanding a decision a brutal game of Rock Paper Scissors followed with Helen picking up the win

Dodd vs Dodd. Unfortunately Rob Dodd was unable to compete this year

The Puckmaster vs the young pretender

Cunha and Dodd with the eyes of the world (of Air Hockey in Hastings) on them

While Nuno would go on to be robbed by a cruel bounce-out on the very last hole of the World Crazy Golf Championships on the Sunday he had no such luck in his match in the final against Matt Dodd. He was on the ball (puck?) in the match, and while it was a closely contested match Nuno would take the grand prize and title of Worlds Crazy Air Hockey Champion for 2014.

His quid prize was quickly spent as he gave Matt a rematch almost straight away. Nuno won that match too. Talk about rubbing salt into the wounds...

Worlds Crazy Air Hockey Championships Hall of Fame:

2014 Nuno Cunha (POR)
2013 Chris Harding (ENG)

2012 Pasi Aho (FIN)

2011 Peter Jones (WAL)

2010 Kevin Moseley (ENG)

World Adventure Air Hockey Hall of Fame:

2013 Pasi Aho (FIN/GER)

The Undisputed International Worlds Crazy Air Squash Championships Hall of Fame:

2010* Scott Lancley (ENG)

* Note: the Air Squash tables were removed soon after, meaning the tournament became a 'normal' Air Hockey event.

Following the main-event Steve Lovell (Bully) and Steve Ragless (Stormtrooper) took each other on in a match. Nuno the Winner watched as Paul Preston acted as the ball boy - he was certainly dressed the part in his football socks!

Related blog posts:

- Air Hockey blog posts

Videos:
- Worlds Crazy Air Hockey Championships 2014 in Hastings - Jones vs Cunha
- Worlds Crazy Air Hockey Championships 2014 in Hastings - Grand Final