Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s End of Season Review

8th November 2009
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s End of Season Review

Luton Minigolfers Richard & Emily Gottfried’s 2009 minigolf season came to an end last week in Margate, Kent, following their participation in the British Minigolf Association’s biggest Tour Calendar to date. In total Richard competed in 18 of the 19 BMGA Tour Ranking Events he was eligible for, winning three of them. Emily played in seven tournaments with a best finish of second place.

In April, Richard won the Mini Masters at PlayGolf Manchester and followed this up on his next visit to Manchester by winning the Miniature Open title in July. In the Miniature Open Emily also had her most successful tournament to date when she won a play-off to finish in second spot. Richard’s third win of the season came in the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Open in September where he won by eight clear shots and also set the new BMGA and all-time course record at 24(par), stealing the course record rankings points from former holder Emily.

Only four other players won more than one tournament this year, and Richard was among only two other players to net three titles in 2009. Richard was also very close to sealing victory number four in early October when he attempted to defend the Weymouth Open title. After tying for the lead he lost a sudden-death play-off at the fourth extra hole and had to settle for second place (his second in two days after also finishing runner-up at the London Open in Staines). He did, however, set his second course record of the season at Weymouth with a 41(+5).

In the 2008-2009 BMGA Order of Merit Rankings published on the 7th November Richard finished the year in 16th spot of 74 players with a total of 3,022 points. This was slightly down on last year when he finished in 14th spot of 68 with 2,553 points. Emily however moved up seven places in the Order of Merit, this year finishing in her highest position to date, at 38th place with 692 points.

In the 2003-2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Rankings list both Richard and Emily have made significant movements up the table following a good showing in this year’s World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings. Richard moves up from 45th spot to 31st of 255 players, while Emily enters the top 50 at 50th place, up from 82nd spot.

In the World Minigolfsport Federation (WMF) World Minigolf Rankings list for International men’s competitions Richard is now ranked 352 of 365 players, up from 425th place of 433 last year. Emily meanwhile has moved up from 115th of 120 players to 100th position in the WMF women’s ranking list.

Richard has also competed in 12 non-Ranking minigolf tournaments alongside regular BMGA Tour events picking up three wins and six other podium places.

Richard said “Last year I had set myself the objective of winning more individual BMGA Tour events and breaking into the top five of the BMGA British Rankings. I’ve certainly won some titles but haven’t yet broken into the top five. In 2010 I’d like to continue my winning ways and I’d definitely like to be in the top ten by the end of the season.”

Emily said “I have really enjoyed this season, and although I only played in a handful of tournaments, I played much better and achieved a higher ranking than I expected.”

In the three month close-season Richard and Emily will be practicing at the recently refurbished Crazy Golf course at Tea Green Golf at Wandon End, Luton. In 2010 they will be back in action, first of all competing in the BMGA National Open at Star City in Birmingham, and there are around 20 further events scheduled for the Tour.

Ends