Friday, December 21, 2007

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...

...to Ham & Eggers everywhere!

Gottfried Wins, Gottfried Wins, Gottfried Wins

(Luton, 21.12.07) In the battle of the UK's Top Finger Jousters Richard Gottfried held onto his one-year undefeated streak by beating his arch-rival Emily Gottfried 6-2 in Point Play Rules.

The match started well for Richard who scored two quick points by hitting both of Emily's legs, followed by a twisting neck shot for a further two. However, Emily fought back and hit a two-pointer with a questionable 'low chest' shot on Richard to bring her back into the game. But a win for Emily was not on the cards and by planting two well placed shots onto Emily's right leg Richard extended his undefeated streak to 48 wins since 21st December 2006.

Commenting on his well-earned victory Richard said "Emily has proven time and again to be a tough opponent and excellent proponent of the art of Finger Jousting, but I'm on a hot streak at the moment and it won't be long until I am crowned as the Undisputed Worlds Finger Jousting Champion."

Richard Gottfried's 'Pro' Finger Jousting Record (31.10.06 - 21.12.07)
Played 85
Won 80
Lost 4
Tied 1
% Won 94.12%


Photo - Hands locked and ready for battle.

Happy Birthday Ham & Egger Files!

Today is the first Birthday of the Ham & Egger Files website!

Over the past year the progress of the UK's top Obscure Sportsmen and Women have been charted on this site, with tales of heroic triumph and mediocrity in sports including Minigolf, Finger Jousting and Ten Pin Bowling.

Here's to the next year of sporting fun!

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Finger Jousting - Match of the Year

In a match-up bigger than Ali vs Foreman, Andre vs Hogan, Ace Man vs Big Top or Hatton vs Mayweather, tomorrow (21/12/07) sees Gottfried vs Gottfried in a face-off between the UK's top two Finger Jousters.

Heading into the match Richard Gottfried is on a one-year, 47-bout undefeated streak that began on 21/12/06 when he beat tomorrow's opponent Emily Gottfried. The streak began on the same day he suffered only his 9th loss (4th of his 'Pro' Career), which ironically came at the hands (index finger?) of Emily herself.

Tale of the tape:
vs. Win-Loss Record - Emily 2 & 16, Richard 16 & 2
Richard Gottfried Career Win-Loss Record Stats
Played 98
Won 88
Lost 9
Tied 1
% Won 89.80%

Note:
Tomorrow's Match will be played to official World Finger Jousting Federation (WFJF)
'Point Play Rules' see below.

"In point play, different parts of the body count for different amounts of points. The legs and latent arm count as one point. The chest, back, and neck count as two points. The head counts as three points. Point play matches are played to six for tournaments, but when playing leisurely any number above two is allowed." http://www.fingerjoust.com/

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Kalkalash

Homer Simpson: Now what do you have to wash that awful taste out of my mouth?
Vendor at the World Trade Center: Mountain Dew or crab juice.
Homer Simpson: Blecch! Ew! Sheesh! I'll take a crab juice.



Mmmm Crab juice, I mean Mountain Dew.

80p a can overseas import, great stuff!

Sir Cliff Richard...On Crazy Golf!

“The most bizarre tournament of the universe” Sir Cliff Richard commenting on the Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Championship 2007, on The One Show, BBC1, 7th December 2007.

“Richard’s Crazy Ambition” Beds Life

“Richard’s Crazy Ambition” Beds Life, The Newspaper for the University of Bedfordshire, December 2007 Issue.

Back Page Sports story in the Staff and Student Newspaper of my 'Alma mater' about my debut season, including a photo of me Putting on the 16th at Margate.

Virgin Media Crazy Golf Photos and Video

http://www.virginmedia.com/sport/galleries/crazy-golf.php

Monday, December 10, 2007

Transworld Sport Coverage, Channel 4, 10th November 07

Coverage of the Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Championships on Transworld Sport.

The One Show, BBC 1, 7th December 07

Coverage of the battle between the 76th and 77th best Crazy Golfers in the World, Colin Jackson and Phil Tufnell.



The link to The One Show Games is here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/theoneshow/article/2007/10/cj_highlandgames.shtml

The link to the BBC player is here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/theoneshow/ram/071207_golf?size=16x9&bgc=6699CC&nbram=1&bbram=1

European Tour Weekly - Official Link

05 Dec 2007 14:00

'ETW 496 - World Crazy Golf Championships - Feature - We catch up with all the action from the World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings.'

Official Link to the Sky Sports 3 Programme 'European Tour Weekly' feature on the Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Championships.

http://www.europeantour.com/publish.sps?pagegid=%7BD872AA1B-60AB-4F23-95F2-E247C40F85FC%7D&assetid=566093

Friday, December 07, 2007

“Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Coverage” European Tour Weekly, Sky Sports 3

“Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Coverage” from the TV Programme European Tour Weekly, Sky Sports 3 on 5th December 2007.

You can see me and 'The Coach' at the 3min 19sec mark!

Friday, November 16, 2007

'Ace Gottfried gets 12th place finish'

Story on page 69 of the 14th November 2007 editions of the Luton News and Dunstable Gazette regarding my achievements in the BMGA Kent Open and on the 2007 BMGA Tour.

Friday, November 09, 2007

End of BMGA 2007 Tour Minigolf Report

Press Information
For Immediate Release
7th November 2007

End of BMGA 2007 Tour Minigolf Report

Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried sunk the final putt of his debut season on the British Minigolf Association 2007 Tour at the BMGA Kent Open last weekend (4th November). Richard finished strongly in the season finale, carding a score of 124 over three rounds, just 12 shots off the tournament winner Sean Homer, and placing 12th of 32 players in a field containing some of the best Minigolfers in Great Britain and the world.

Richard, 27 is now ranked as the 34th best Minigolfer in the BMGA 2007 Order of Merit after gaining 527 Ranking Points since making his first appearance in the BMGA British Masters in April. In total Richard has competed in ten tournaments and played 660 holes of competitive Minigolf on the 2007 Tour, which has seen him travel to courses in Brighton, Margate, Hastings, Southend and Warwick.

Among his best results this season were his 4th place in the BMGA Midlands Invitational Tournament (MIT) and his 5th place finish in the BMGA Players Championship.

Richard said “I feel this has been a great year of competition for me, I have played in some big tournaments against the top players. There have been many great moments for me this season including making the cut for the second day of the BMGA British Open; my 4th and 5th place finishes in the MIT and the BMGA Players Championship, and taking part in the World Crazy Golf Championships. I am looking forward to the start of play on the 2008 Tour and some more top ten finishes.”

Richard added “My next three goals in my Minigolf career are to win a tournament on the BMGA Tour, reach the top 20 of the BMGA British Rankings and to play for the Great Britain Team in a World or European Championship.”

Veterans of the BMGA Tour have also noticed Richard’s talents, with Four-Time World Crazy Golf Champion Tim ‘Ace Man’ Davies calling Richard “The most promising talent to arrive on the British Minigolf scene since me."

Richard’s first tournaments of the 2008 Tour include the Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open, the BMGA Matchplay Knockout Tournament and the BMGA Irish Open in Belfast.

Below is a photo of Richard putting on the 16th hole 'Shark's Teeth’ at Margate.

Friday, November 02, 2007

Die Bart (not from The Simpsons)!?!

Can you guess the haulage company?



Clue: It's not Christian Salveson or Norbert Dentressangle.

Driving the DLR!


Isn't the Docklands Light Railway great!?

Scorecards Galore

A wide array of Scorecards from the 37 Minigolf courses played this year!

'Crazy for Loving You?'

In the November issue of Luton & Dunstable At Large Magazine there is a feature on Crazy Golf and top Luton Crazy Golfers Richard and Emily Gottfried.

Check it out here:
http://www.luton-at-large.co.uk/

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

World Crazy Golf Championship 2007 Photos

A selection of photos from the Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Championship 2007.






Luton Crazy Golfers take on the World

Press Information
For Immediate Release
30th October 2007

Luton Crazy Golfers take on the World

On Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th October Luton Crazy Golfers Richard Gottfried and Emily Gottfried competed in the Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Championship 2007 at the Seafront Adventure Golf Complex in Hastings

Unfortunately neither Richard nor Emily was able to become the World Crazy Golf Champion; however a new Champion was crowned, with Birmingham’s Chris Harding taking the title from Four-Time Champ Tim ‘Ace Man’ Davies. Chris won with a seven round (126-hole) total of 248 (an average of 1.96 shots per hole).

Richard ended the tournament ranked as the 39th best Crazy Golfer in the World with a six round (108-hole) total of 255 (2.36 shots per hole). He also managed to get the joint lowest score of the weekend – a 32 – scoring five holes-in-one in the round on the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf Course. Over the whole tournament only four other players managed to score a 32 and they finished in 1st, 3rd, 6th and 15th.

Richard said of his score “This was a great achievement for me as it was my best score ever on any Crazy Golf course in my Minigolf career, it was a great feeling to score five Aces in a round.”

Emily finished as the 6th best female player, but 54th in the overall competition with a score of 265 (2.45 shots per hole). In the first four rounds Emily was drawn to play against then Champion Tim ‘Ace Man’ Davies and in the third round both he and Emily carded scores of 43.

Emily said “The competition was great fun, but tough. Playing against ‘Ace Man’ for four rounds was exciting, and it was really satisfying to match his score on one of the rounds. I was really pleased with my performance and 54th place finish for my first tournament. Richard fully deserved has 39th place finish, but I will beat him next year!”

Commenting on the tournament and his opponents Richard said “Chris Harding is a very deserving new World Champion; he led the tournament from the very first round and played an excellent game despite the wet and windy conditions on the second day. Emily was also a very tough opponent and she was only ten shots off my final score, so the final round was very tense to see which of us would come out on top.”

The final tournament on the BMGA 2007 Tour will see Richard play in the BMGA Kent Open in Margate.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Mini Golf Courses Played 06-07

Between 30th September 2006 and 30th September 2007 members of the Irregular Mini Golf Tour have played at the following 37 Mini Golf courses:

Course/Location & Type
Abingdon (Abbey Meadow) - Crazy Golf
Abingdon (Abbey Meadow) - Pitch & Putt
Brighton (East of Palace Pier) - Crazy Golf
Brighton (Peter Pan's) - Adventure Golf
Broadstairs (Lillyputt Minigolf) - Lillyputt Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
Felixstowe (Fantasia) - Adventure Golf
Felixstowe (Mannings) - Golf FX
Felixstowe (Sea Front) - Crazy Golf
Great Yarmouth (Arnold Palmer) - Minigolf 9 Hole
Great Yarmouth (Arnold Palmer) - Minigolf 18 Hole
Great Yarmouth (Hollywood Adventure Golf, Windmill Theatre) - Indoor Adventure Golf
Great Yarmouth (Jungle Golf at the Gardens) - Crazy Golf
Great Yarmouth (Pirates Cove) - Adventure Golf
Great Yarmouth (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf
Letchworth Garden City - Par 3 Mini Golf/Pitch & Putt
Letchworth Garden City - Putting Course on Grass
Lowestoft, Suffolk - Adventure Golf
Luton (Stockwood Park) - Mini Golf/Pitch & Putt
Luton (Wardown Park) - Crazy Golf
Luton (Wardown Park) - Mini Golf/Pitch & Putt
Luton (Woodside Animal Farm) - Adventure Golf
Margate (Little Oasis Crazy Golf) Cliftonville - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
Margate (Palm Bay Café) Cliftonville - Crazy Golf on Grass
Margate (Strokes) - Adventure Golf
Milton Keynes (Willen Lake) - Adventure Golf
Portsmouth/Southsea (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf (Victory & Warrior Trails)
Shefford, Bedfordshire (The Green Man Pub) - Crazy Golf
Southend-on-Sea (Adventure Island) - Adventure Golf (Aztec & Inca courses)
Southend-on-Sea (Arnold Palmer Minigolf) - Minigolf
Southsea (Golf Links) - 9 Hole Par 3/Pitch & Putt
St Albans, Hertfordshire (Verulamium Park) - Crazy Golf
Stonham, Suffolk (Stonham Barns) - Crazy Golf
Warwick (St Nicholas Park) - Adventure Golf
Warwick (St Nicholas Park) - Derelict Crazy Golf
Watford (Top Golf) - Adventure Golf
Watford (Top Golf) - 9 Hole Putting Green
West Hagbourne, Oxon (Horse & Harrow Pub) - Crazy Golf

Friday, October 12, 2007

Nutters with Putters - Promo Video

Promo Video of the forthcoming DVD release from Top Crazy Golfers Tim 'Ace Man' Davies and 'Big Top' Ted McIver.



Warning: There is some swearing at the end!

Monday, October 08, 2007

Luton Minigolfer continues to improve

Press Information
For Immediate Release
8th October 2007

Luton Minigolfer continues to improve

On Saturday 6th October Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried competed in two British Minigolf Association (BMGA) tournaments at the 18-Hole Adventure Golf Course in St Nicholas Park, Warwick.

First up was the BMGA Midlands Invitational Tournament where 26 year-old Richard placed 4th of 9 players, finishing with a score over two rounds of 83, carding scores of 42 and 41. In this tournament he finished just below British Number 3 John Moore and above British Number 2 Chris Harding.

Next was the BMGA Midlands Open tournament, which was played over three rounds. Here Richard finished with a score of 125 (42-41-42) which placed him 15th of 22 players, 16 shots off the winner James Trubridge who won with a score of 109.

Overall Richard scored 5 Holes-in-One in the BMGA Midlands Open.

Richard said “I think my scoring was consistent throughout the competitions, I’m yet to make a sub-40 score on this course but I did get a personal best score of 41. When I last played here in the BMGA English Open I finished 23rd of 26 competitors, so to finish with a 4th and 15th place is a great achievement for me.”

Richard’s recent performances on the BMGA Tour have seen him rise up the rankings since making his April debut to his current position of 33rd in Great Britain.

The next stops on the BMGA 2007 tour will see Richard competing in the World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings and competing in Margate in November in the season closing BMGA Kent Open.

Attached is a photo of Richard lining up a shot on the 16th hole at the Warwick course.

Monday, October 01, 2007

IMG Tour - End of Season Results & Rankings

Following a year of play in the Irregular Mini Golf Tour 06-07 Season here are the final Ranking Positions:

1 Richard Gottfried 3870
2 Emily Gottfried 2815
3 Christopher Gottfried 675
4 The Mystery Player 290
5 Yazmin Harper 175
6 Dave Ronchetti 150
7 Helena Sundarajoo 120
8 Annette Harper 110
9 Jo Tubby 100
9 Robert Harper 100
9 Paul Harvey 100
12 Jon Gottfried 75
13 Russell Fenner 50
14 Bethany Harper 35
15 Zoe Bates 25
15 David Bartlett 25
17 Kallum Harper 20
18 Kate Tubby 10
18 Les Tubby 10
18 Luke Tubby 10

A total of 38 tournaments were played (plus 36 individual stages of the Irregular Mini Golf Tour Luton Cup), with a total of 1,798 holes being played in the period 30/09/2006 - 30/09/2007.

Thursday, September 20, 2007

Crazy Golf Windmills of Thanet

The seaside resorts on the Thanet coastline have a fine selection of Crazy Golf courses, three of which are home to that classic obstacle - the Windmill.

Minigolf in Broadstairs
The Lillyputt Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Broadstairs

Minigolf in Cliftonville
A Windmill on the Cliftonville Grass Putting Minigolf course

Crazy Golf in Margate
The Little Oasis Crazy Golf course in the Cliftonville area of Margate

Minigolf in Thanet
The Cliftonville Grass Putting Miniature Golf course at the Palm Bay Café in Margate

Leading the British Open

For a 'cup of coffee' I led the field of 46 players in the BMGA British Open.

Post-British Open Ham & Egg platter


After a gruelling four days on the Adventure Golf course at Strokes in Margate I was able to relax and enjoy a well deserved and affordable plate of Ham, Eggs and Chips.

Luton Local Impresses in Minigolf British Open

Press Information
For Immediate Release
20th September 2007

Luton Local Impresses in Minigolf British Open

This past weekend Richard Gottfried from Luton played in the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) Players Championship and British Open tournaments at Strokes Adventure Golf Course in Margate, Kent.

Playing in his fourth and fifth tournaments of the 2007 BMGA Tour, 26 year-old Richard placed 5th out of 27 British competitors in the BMGA Players Championship on Friday 14th September. At the end of the first round of ‘Stroke play’ Richard was lying in 4th place with a personal best score on the course of 38, one stroke behind British Champion and British Number 1 Chris Harding and just 6 strokes off the British course record. Making the ‘cut’ to the second round of ‘Match play’ he lost by one-hole to eventual Players Championship winner Steve Gow.

On Saturday 15th September Richard began play in the 10th Annual BMGA British Open and scored a total of 178 after the first four rounds, which saw him finish the day in 35th position and therefore reaching the final the following day.

In the final two rounds before the ‘Super Play-off Final’ Richard scored a 42 followed by an equal personal best score of 38. Scoring 4 holes-in-one (Aces) these scores moved him up to a final position of 29th in a field of 46 top British and International miniature golfers. His achievements on the course over the weekend also meant that he finished 19th of 36 in the BMGA British Championships. The overall winner of the 2007 BMGA British Open was Jouni Valkjarvi from Finland who scored a total of 244 over 7 rounds.

Richard said “I am extremely pleased with my performance in both the Players Championship and the British Open. I was also really happy that I made the cut to reach the second day of the British Open. That was my main goal heading into the tournament. Getting two sub 40 scores in a major contest like the British Open is a great confidence boost and I am looking forward to the next competitions on the tour.”

2007 British Champion and current British Number 1 Chris Harding commented “It's always difficult to attract new players to the Minigolf tour. When you do come across somebody as enthusiastic as Richard, who wants to learn and improve quickly, then it's a real joy. His performance in Margate, on a really difficult course, was full of promise. Qualifying for the final eight in the Players Championship and making the cut in the British Open was a great achievement so early in Richard's career.”

Commenting on Richard’s performance over the weekend Four-Time World Crazy Golf Champion and British Number 2 Tim ‘Ace Man’ Davies, who played against Richard in the first four rounds of the competition, said “Richard played some great rounds in the British Open and is probably the most promising talent to arrive on the British Minigolf scene since me."

The next stops on the BMGA 2007 tour will see Richard competing in the BMGA Midlands Open in Warwick, the World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings and competing back in Margate in November in the season closing BMGA Kent Open.

Notes for Editors:
Richard Gottfried made his BMGA debut at the BMGA British Masters tournament in Southend-on-Sea on 24th April 2007 where he finished 24th of 28 players, and second in the ‘Novice’ category. He has since competed in the BMGA English Open in Warwick and the BMGA Brighton Open.

More information on the British Minigolf Association can be found at www.minigolf.org.uk

Full results and a report on the tournaments can be found at the website of the Kent Minigolf Club: http://www.kentminigolfclub.co.uk/British%20Open%202007.htm


Photo: Richard Gottfried lining up a shot on the 11-hole 'Heartbreak Ridge'
Photo Courtesy of Sean Homer

Monday, September 03, 2007

Worst Mini/Crazy Golf Holes in the UK

Some examples of terrible and tough holes I have encountered on my travels:

A 'pub course' in Oxfordshire!


One of the holes on the Crazy Golf at Felixstowe.


Hole 8 of a derelict Crazy Golf course in Warwick.


And one where I scored an eight!?!


And one that is always a pain.

BMGA Brighton Open

In my third Mini Golf tournament I finished 18th in the BMGA Brighton Open played on 21.07.07. In placing 18th I defeated the current 'number 3' and 'number 9' of Great British Mini Golf.

My scores were as follows:
Rd 1 - 33
Rd 2 - 28
Rd 3 - 32
Rd 4 - 30
Total - 123 (-45)

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

BMGA English Open

Following my 24th place finish in my debut at the BMGA British Masters mini golf tournament in April, I played in my second national tournament on Saturday 14th July.

Following two rounds of tough Adventure Golf I placed 23rd in the BMGA English Open.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Alton Towers

Continuing the theme of closed mini golf courses, after travelling to Alton Towers on Monday we found that due to the severe weather the Extraordinary Golf course was closed as it was (very) waterlogged!



There was however a 'WIN A CAR HOLE IN ONE GOLF CHALLENGE' inside the park where you had to pitch a ball into a hole on an island in the middle of the lake! I didn't win the car.





The rest of the park was 'open as usual' though and there were some great rides and good food.

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Irregular Mini Golf Tour NS&SN Invitational Challenge...

...in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth!

This time the courses were open!









But the courses in Felixstowe were not!



Monday, March 26, 2007

Macmillan Bowling Challenge 2007 - Results


The Ham & Eggers Bowling Team, from l-r Emily Gottfried, Richard Gottfried, Beccy Youngs, Mike Wright.

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

The Meal of Champions...

...and Jobbers!

Monday, February 26, 2007

Jobbing to Arm Champs II Arcade Machine

Here's me losing to the arcade game 'Arm Champs II' even though I actually beat Chang!?!

Irregular Mini Golf Tour to Lowestoft & Great Yarmouth!

All of the courses were closed...

Mini Golf in Great Yarmouth

Mini Golf in Great Yarmouth

Mini Golf in Great Yarmouth

Mini Golf in Great Yarmouth

Mini Golf in Great Yarmouth

Mini Golf in Great Yarmouth
Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Lowestoft
- Great Yarmouth

Like the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on Facebook, check out our YouTube channel and follow me and Emily on Twitter.

Monday, February 12, 2007

Strike!!! Ham & Egger Bowling

On 22nd March 2007 Macmillan Cancer Support are holding their 'Annual Bowling Challenge' at the Namco Station in Luton and a team of Ham & Eggers will be turning out to do their best.

Current champions Plumbs DIY have been lobbying for the charity to only allow teams who are "not very good" to compete, but the Ham & Egger team will be bowling their socks off in order to win the prestigious champions shield at the event!

Friday, February 02, 2007

Punxsutawney Phil predicts...

...an early Spring

In the 121st Trek to Gobbler's Knob the Punxsutawney Inner Circle woke Punxsutawney Phil at 7.27am (12.27pm UK-time) and the famous marmot did NOT see his shadow - signalling an early Spring!

Happy Groundhog Day to you all!

It's Groundhog Day!

Happy Groundhog Day!

To view the LIVE prediction from Punxsutawney Phil visit http://www.visitpa.com/visitpa/home.pa at 12pm (UK time) to see the 2007 webcast.

Monday, January 29, 2007

Groundhog Day - 2nd February

This Friday (02/02/07) sees the annual Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania tradition of Groundhog Day!

Every year Punxsutawney Phil (The Groundhog) emerges at around 7.25am (around 12.25pm UK time) and 'prognosticates' on whether there will be an early spring, or if there will be a prolonged winter. If he sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.

Last year Phil saw his shadow and so there was to be six more weeks of winter!

Visit www.groundhog.org to find out more about the tradition of Groundhog Day.

You can watch this years event at - http://www.visitpa.com/visitpa/home.pa

The Crazy World of Miniature Golf

Richard Gottfried - Crazy Minigolfer

As of Monday 22nd January 2007 I have been an official member of the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) 2007 Tour!

I have entered the world of Crazy/Mini/Adventure Golf and plan to compete in as many tournaments as possible, including the British Masters and the PHCGC Open, building towards my participation in the event at the pinnacle of the Crazy Golf Calendar - the 2007 World Crazy Golf Championships which will take place in October.

Further information on the British Minigolf Association can be found on the BMGA website.

Richard "Hole in two*" Gottfried

* Or 'Eight'!