2009 - Ham & Egger Files - The Year in Review

2009 has been a great year for both me and Emily, with some excellent finishes on the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) Tour, stacks of crazy golf courses visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, and lots of competition on the Irregular Mini Golf Tour.

Below is a month by month run down of the highs (and lows) of 2009 as documented here on the Ham & Egger Files.

January
- BMGA Tour 2009 Season Begins (my third year on the Tour and Emily's second)
- 24th place finish in the Star City Open minigolf tournament in Birmingham
- 8th place in the Nayland Classic

February
- A quiet month, with no minigolf or crazy golf events, but one which saw me buy a new sledge

March
- Minigolf course visits 79, 80 and 81 on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour are made
- 6th place finish in the New Malden Invitational minigolf tournament
- 5th place in the Motspur Park Classic competition

April
- Minigolf course visits 82 & 83 on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour take place in the USA at Boondocks Fun Center in Northglenn, Denver, Colorado
- Won the Manchester Mini Masters tournament at Championship MiniatureGolf, Emily is 6th
- Ham & Eggers Ten Pin Bowling Team win the Macmillan Annual Bowling Challenge
- 23rd place in the BMGA British Masters minigolf tournament
- 2nd place finish in the Double-I Double-O (IIOO) competition
- First round win in the BMGA British Matchplay Championships against Phil Exall in Southend
- 4th place in the Luton Sports Network Luton Sports Awards for 2008

May
- Won the Tampere Reunion Classic competition at Wroxham Barns, Norfolk
- Played the 88th course on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour at the Lost World Adventure Golf in Hemsby
- 16th place finish in the BMGA English Open
- Visited the 100th course overall on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour at Pops Meadow Putting Green in Gorleston-on-Seait was closed
- Minigolf Tour of Glasgow
- 5th place finish in the Midlands Invitational Tournament in Stratford-Upon-Avon, 7th place for Emily
- Ham & Eggers Team play in the F.U.N. Charity Ten Pin Bowling Competition
- Help set a new Guinness World Record for "The Largest Picnic across multiple venues" at the picnic in Wardown Park, Luton
- 99th minigolf course played in Windsor

June
- Visit and play minigolf course 100 on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour at Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf at South Shields, Tyneside
- 2nd place in the Newcastle Invitational Tournament, Emily 3rd
- Won the Second Division Play-offs at the BMGA British Doubles at Boscombe Chine with new Minigolf Doubles Partner Kevin Moseley
- 10th place in the Midland Open minigolf tournament

July
- Minigolf course visit 111 was right under our noses in Luton, at Tea Green Golf at Wandon End
- Lost to John 'Big Top Ted' McIver by one-hole in the second-round of the BMGA British Matchplay Championships in Hastings
- 25th place in the BMGA British Championships
- Gottfrieds finish first and second in the Manchester Miniature Open tournament
- Appeared on BBC2 Quiz Show 'Eggheads' as Captain of the Crazy Golf Team - Nutters with Putters

August
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Tour of Wales takes place with 28 Crazy Golf (Golff Gwyllt) courses played in a week
- 2nd place in the Boules Invitational Tournament at The Mumbles in Swansea (Abertawe)
- 2nd place finish in the first-ever Cystadleuaeth Minigolff Cymraeg (Welsh Minigolf Tournament) in Swansea (Abertawe)
- Entered the Crystal Maze near Narbeth, Wales

September
- Visited and played my 150th minigolf course on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour at the Arnold Palmer Crazee Golf in Southport
- Won the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Open minigolf tournament
- Set a new BMGA and all-time Course Record of 24 (par) during the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Open, beating Emily's old BMGA record by three shots
- 21st place in the BMGA Players Championships in Margate
- 25th place finish in the BMGA British Open

October
- Won the Johnson's Scrap Iron Cup in Sandbanks
- Captain of the defending BMGA British Club Champions - the Midlands Minigolf Club
- 7th place finish in the BMGA British Club Championships
- 2nd place in the London Open minigolf competition
- 2nd place finish in the Weymouth Open tournament
- Set a new BMGA course record of 41(+5) at the Weymouth Sealife Pirate Adventure Golf Course at Lodmoor Country Park during the Weymouth Open
- Retains the Scrap Iron Cup in Weymouth
- 3rd place in the "www.miniaturegolfer.com 'Nine Best' Crazy Golf Championship"
- Represented England for the third time at the Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings, finished 17th, Emily 45th

November
- 8th place finish in the Kent Open minigolf tournament in Margate
- BMGA Tour 2009 Season Ends
- Ranked 8th in the BMGA Season-only Rankings, Emily 37th
- Ranked 16th in the BMGA Order of Merit Rankings, Emily 39th
- Ranked 418th in the World Minigolfsport Federation Mens Rankings, Emily 130th in the Womens Rankings List
- Ranked 31st in the Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Rankings, Emily 50th
- Ranked 1st in the Irregular Mini Golf Tour Rankings for 2008-2009, Emily 2nd
- Ranked 2nd within the Midlands Minigolf Club (based on 2009 BMGA Season-only Rankings), Emily 10th
- Ranked 3rd within the Midlands Minigolf Club (based on 2008-2009 BMGA Order of Merit Rankings), Emily 6th

December
- 5th place finish in the 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge minigolf competition, Emily ties for 9th spot
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour course visit number 200 overall is at the 9-hole Crazy Golf Course at the Kingsway Golf Centre in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire
- Used the sledge I bought in February for the first time
- An attempt to break the Guinness World Record for "How many Brussels Sprouts can you eat in one minute" fails
- The Ham & Egger Files Blog celebrates its third birthday

A peek ahead at 2010?
Who knows what will happen, or where we'll be going on our various minigolf, crazy golf and other strange sporting adventures in 2010 - what is known is that a lot of fun will be had on the way!

Happy Third Birthday Ham & Egger Files!

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

Over the past three years me and Emily's Adventures on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour (and in other sports and games) have been logged through 536 posts here at the Ham & Egger Files website.

We've travelled the UK playing in Minigolf and Crazy Golf Tournaments (winning a fair few on the way), visited over 200 Miniature Golf courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, represented Great Britain at Minigolf Sport, Finger Jousted our way to victory, competed in Ten Pin Bowling Tournaments and even attempted to break a couple of Guinness World Records!

Here's to the next year (and more) of sporting fun!

Guinness World Record Attempt - Most Brussels Sprouts Eaten in a Minute!

Blog post about attempting a Guinness World Record for the Most Brussels Sprouts Eaten in a Minute. Held in Luton's indoor market in December 2009.


Today me and fellow Minigolfer Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd headed to Luton Indoor Market to compete in a Guinness World Record Attempt for "How many Brussels Sprouts can you eat in 1 minute."!

In my first attempt I managed to eat ten Brussels Sprouts in the one minute time-limit. This was followed up by a further ten in my second attempt - both tries sadly 22 shy of beating the current Guinness World Record of 31!

The method of eating the Brussels Sprouts is very strict and requires you to eat each Sprout one at a time using a cocktail stick. Your mouth must be clear before the next Sprout is eaten and must be shown to a judge before continuing.

I was the second competitor on the day to attempt to beat the current record and Brad was third up. Brad managed to eat 13 Brussels Sprouts in both of his attempts.

I didn't actually like Brussels Sprouts much before the attempt, but I'm actually looking forward to eating more on Christmas Day (though not competitively!).

Video of my Guinness World Record Attempt.


Video of Brad Shepherd's Guinness World Record Attempt.


Video of my Guinness World Record (Second) Attempt.


Photos from the event.








The event was organised by Town & Country Markets and all proceeds from the event went to the Luton & Dunstable Baby Intensive Care Unit and over £300 was raised. The Luton Market 'Best' Attempt was set at 17 Brussels Sprouts (although Market Manager Steve Cook managed to eat 12 in his attempt - and peeled 500 the night before!).

From l-r Organiser Dave Gibbs, Richard Gottfried, Brad Shepherd, Organiser Steve Cook.

The Brussels Sprouts Eating Record Attempt was the second Guinness World Record Attempt I have made this year. Back in May, me and Emily helped break the Guinness World Record for "The Largest Picnic across multiple venues". Eating Sprouts was my first individual attempt – what’s next...?

Minigolf Course Visit No. 157 (played) - West Park, Chelmsford, Essex

On the 14th December 2009 we made a trip to Chelmsford in Essex to look for a Crazy Golf course.

We found one at the West Park Pitch and Putt Course.



The 9-hole Crazy Golf course is not great, but is still good fun, and the course owner told me that they are looking at building a new one in the future.



A hole-in-one.


In the Irregular Mini Golf Tour Chelmsford Open event versus Emily, I won 21(+3) to 23(+5).

West Park is also home to an 18-hole Pitch & Putt Course that was in superb condition and played really well.

I had a quick play of holes 1, 2, 3, 9 & 18 and almost Aced both the 9th and 18th.





Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - List and links for all Miniature Golf courses visited to date
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf in Essex

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour trip to Colchester, Essex

On the 14th December 2009 we made course visits 201 and 202 on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when we visited the Castle Park & Gardens in Colchester, Essex.

However, neither of the two courses found in the town were open.



Photos of the Putting Course.



Photos of the Eternit Miniature Golf Course.



Video showing the Eternit Miniature Golf Course.


Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - List and links for all Miniature Golf courses visited to date
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf in Essex

A new 'Superhero'? Mattressman

Mattressman!?

What's on at The Victoria Pub in Ipswich?

Another non-course on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Pub Quiz Crazy Golf in Ipswich

Another non-course on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - a Pub Quiz Crazy Golf game in the new Wetherspoons Pub in Ipswich, Suffolk.

I scored a 48(+12) over 9-holes and failed to qualify for the cash prize game.






Not a lot of fun.

Golf FX at Mannings Amusements now Magical Golf!

While we were in Suffolk at the weekend we made a traditional Christmas-time visit to the seaside resort of Felixstowe.

We've had many great contests on the Irregular Mini Golf Tour at the Felixtowe Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf courses over the years.

During the summer all four of the minigolf courses are usually open, but in the 'off-season' (which doesn't exist on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour) only one course can be guaranteed to be open - the Golf FX at Mannings Family Fun Centre and Amusement Arcade.

However, on our most recent (re)visit on the 13th December 2009* we noticed that the 13-hole Golf FX has been renamed Magical Golf FX!

When we played the refurbished, but not too modified, Magical Golf FX course I scored a 39(+13) to beat Emily, who scored a 47(+21), in the Irregular Mini Golf Tour Magical Golf Open.





Looking at my records from 2008 we also visited the Golf FX Adventure Golf course on the 13th December 2008! On that occasion I beat Emily 35(+9) to 38(+12) in the Felixstowe Classic event on the Irregular Mini Golf Tour.

In the photo below (from June 2007) you can see the change of sign, as the 'Golf FX Character' is no longer used.

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Course Visit Number 200 - Melbourn, Cambs

On Saturday 12th December 2009 me and Emily made the 200th Course Visit on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour!

The location - the 9-hole Crazy Golf Course at the Kingsway Golf Centre in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire.

The course was the 200th I've visited since the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour began in September 2006, and was the 156th course played on the Tour as 44 of the 200 courses visited have been closed/derelict/flooded or unplayable!

Video - A round of Crazy Golf in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire.

The Kingsway Golf Centre was a very good looking BIG Golf Centre with friendly staff. The Crazy Golf is £2.00 to play as much as you like.

Back in May of this year I made the 100th visit overall on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when I stumbled upon the 9-hole Arnold Palmer course at Pops Meadow Putting Green in Gorleston-on-Sea, and in June I played my 100th course at Smuggler's Cove Adventure Golf in South Shields.

Snow Day in Luton...

...means Sledging!

Richard 'The Snowman' Gottfried.

The sledge-run at Farley Hill, Luton.

A view across Luton towards Popes Meadow.

The sledge-run at Popes Meadow.

Other Ham & Egger Files Blog Posts about Snow and Sledges in Luton:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-sledge.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/02/sledges-slegdes-sic-snowboards.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/02/snow-halts-play.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/02/groundhog-day-2009.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/03/snow-day-crazy-golf-course.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/03/car-park-snow-golf.html

Videos from the 'Safe Route Challenge' Minigolf Competition

Footage from the Minigolf Doubles Matchplay match played on the Lost Hut Trail course at Adventure Island Mini Golf at Star City, Birmingham.

Richard Gottfried and Paul Johnson teamed up (as 'The Pineapple Bits') to take on Owen Johnson and former World Crazy Golf Champion Chris Harding (as 'The Grapefruit Chunks') in the first-ever 'Safe Route Challenge' Minigolf Competition.











The match was played during our visit to Adventure Island Mini Golf in Birmingham for Unlimited Minigolf on Monday 7th December 2009.

New Felixstowe Crazy Golf Course - an update

On our visit to Felixstowe, Suffolk I took the opportunity to have a look and see how the new 9-hole Sea Front Crazy Golf course was coming along.

However, it looks like the course won't be completed soon as they frames for the holes have been removed. Hopefully they have just been put into storage over the winter and the course will be completed in 2010.


A photo of the partly built course back in May of this year can be seen at http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/05/minigolf-course-re-visits-5-6-7-33-and.html

Below is a photo of the course layout back in May 2008.

The 18-hole Putting Course and Sea Front Crazy Golf are still there though.

Minigolf Report in the Luton News - "Brief respite for Gottfrieds"

This week's Luton News & Dunstable Gazette (page 78) had a report - "Brief respite for Gottfrieds" - about our latest Crazy Golf tournaments in London and Birmingham.

Minigolf course visits 200, 201, 202 and 203...

...on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour were made over the weekend!

Details, photos, videos and results from Irregular Mini Golf Tour events will follow soon.

Talking Crazy Golf on Danny Baker's 5 Live Radio Show

On Saturday 12th December I was on Danny Baker's show on Radio 5 Live as he was talking about Crazy Golf.

You can download the show's Podcast here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/dannybaker/

I'm on from 26 and a half minutes in.

Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s Pre-Season Results

11th December 2009
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s Pre-Season Results

During the close-season break in British Minigolf Association (BMGA) tournaments Luton Minigolfers Richard & Emily Gottfried have been preparing for the start of the 2010 Season with friendly matches in Birmingham and an independent competition in London.

On Monday 7th December Richard travelled to the Adventure Island Mini Golf Course at Star City, Birmingham for pre-season matches versus fellow Midlands Minigolf Club Members.

In a friendly match versus Chris Harding, Paul Johnson and Owen Johnson on the Hidden Cove Challenge course Richard scored 37(+1) to finish 3rd.

In the evening’s second competition, held on the Lost Hut Trail course Richard hit a 42(+6) to again finish 3rd.

In the third friendly round of the evening Richard scored a 37(+1) to former World Crazy Golf Champion Chris Harding's 32(-4) to lose by five shots on the Lost Hut Trail.

In an 18-hole Doubles Matchplay match on the Lost Hut Trail course Richard teamed with Paul Johnson to take on Owen Johnson and Chris Harding, losing 3&2.

On Thursday 10th December 2009 Richard and Emily were among twelve BMGA Minigolfers that competed in the 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge played on the temporarily Christmas-themed Minigolf course at Devonshire Square in London.

The 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge competition took place over 17-holes and the event was won by Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd of the London Minigolf Club, with a score of 41 (+7). Richard finished in fifth place seven shots off the lead with 48 (+14). Emily finished in tied ninth place with Martin Robertson after both finished on 54 (+20).

During the three month close-season Richard and Emily will be touring a number of other courses around the country, as well as practicing at the 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 BMGA Tour.

Ends

Minigolf Course Visit No. 199(b) & 155.5 course played!

By visiting the Christmas-themed Minigolf course at Devonshire Square in London for the 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge competition I also hit somewhat of a 'milestone' on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour as it was Minigolf Course Visit 199(b) and the 155th (and a bit) course I've played since September 2006!



Back in May of this year I hit the '100 courses visited mark' at Pops Meadow Putting Green in Gorleston-on-Sea, and the next minigolf course we visit on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour will be number 200!

View other courses visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Link to a blog post about other Mini Golf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf courses in and around London.

2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge at Devonshire Square

Officially Unofficial Minigolf Report & Results of the 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge at Devonshire Square

On Thursday 10th December 2009 eleven of Great Britain’s finest minigolfers, along with a New Zealand Crazy Golfer, descended on the temporarily Christmas-themed Minigolf course at Devonshire Square in London to compete in the 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge.


The 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge competition took place over 17-holes and the event was won by Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd of the London Minigolf Club. Brad’s score of 41 (+7) was four shots clear of his nearest rivals, the duo of Nick 'Top Hole' Chitty and 'Stormin' Alan Norman who tied on 45 (+11) after the 17-holes of regulation play.

The tie could not be decided on holes-in-one either as both Alan and Nick had scored two Aces apiece. A sudden-death play-off would decide the winner, and it was reigning Kent Open Champion and Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club member Nick Chitty who claimed the runner-up spot at the second extra hole (The Ferris Wheel).

Photos below: Winner Brad Shepherd, Nick Chitty and Alan Norman receive their rosettes from 'Squire' Richard Gottfried.



4th place was also decided with a play-off, as Jon ‘The Stance’ Angel defeated Lionel ‘The Spoon’ Bender after both had tied on 47 (+13).

In 6th place was Luton’s ‘Squire’ Richard Gottfried with a score of 48 (+14). London’s David ‘Man of Question’ Corkett was seventh on 52 (+18), Surrey’s Trevor ‘Trevino/Lord of Smeeth’ Robertson picked up another minigolf competition top-ten finish this year (following his 6th place in the MiniatureGolfer.com '9 Best' Crazy Golf Championships in October) with 8th spot.

Tied in 9th place and deciding against a play-off were Martin ‘Smashing’ Robertson and Emily ‘Coach’ Gottfried, who both scored 54 (+20). Reigning BMGA British Master Chris ‘Stretch’ Jones was 11th after hitting a 55 (+21).

Picking up the wooden spoon with a score of 58 (+24) was New Zealand’s Kelly Maaka, who was playing in only her fourth minigolf competition, following the New Malden Invitational, Motspur Park Classic and a Minigolf Doubles Match at the Jurassic Encounter back in March 2009.





View other courses visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Link to a blog post about other Mini Golf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf courses in and around London.