Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Three Fetes and Minigolf & Crazy Golf Re-Visits in Melbourn & Whaddon (& Royston)

On Saturday 25th June 2011 I decided to head to Melbourn in Cambridgeshire as I noticed they were holding their annual village fete (which I also attended last year).

While I was in the area it was also an opportunity to re-visit the other Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Putting courses in the vicinity.

First up, after visiting the Royton Parish Church Fete (which was winding up) and deciding to not go into the Cave at Royston, Herts, was a trip to Whaddon Golf Centre.


The 9-hole Crazy Golf course was in a playable condition (just about) on our visit in April 2010, when the course became the 165th played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. On that East & West Anglia Spring Roadtrip we played the Putting Green at the Golf Centre too. On our next visit to the area I plan to give their 9-hole Par-3 course a go too.




On the drive from Whaddon towards Melbourn there is a business called Marley Eternit, sadly they are nothing to do with Eternit-type Miniature Golf.


Passing through the village of Meldreth I noticed they were also holding a Fete, so I popped along to it.


I didn't win any of the Tombolas and there wasn't a minigolf course, but it was a bustling event. It also had a Miniature Steam Railway Line set up for the event!


The third and final Fete I headed to was the big Melbourn Village Fete, held on The Moor.


The 9-hole 'Miniature Crazy Golf' course was back again, with some new holes and a slightly different layout to the 2010 event - borrowing/swapping some holes with the course that was at the Swavesy Fete last year.


Last year I scored a 20 and an 18, but this year I could only manage a 20 and a 23! The addition of the 'Hole in the Middle of a Ramp' obstacle (from the Swavesey course) did for me.

Minigolf Fact: While Emily has never played the Melbourn Fete Miniature Crazy Golf, she has actually played minigolf in the 'other' Melbourne.

The friendly course owners have also added a Tin Can Alley stall next to the Minigolf. Unfortunately I was unable to win a Meerkat for Oliver 'The Machine' Florence on it.


With loads of other stalls, displays and attractions going on I also had a go at the Target Bowls competition from Melbourn Lawn Bowls Club. Last year I had three goes and scored a grand total of '0'!

This year was to be different though, as I hit the Bullseye '10' with my first 'Wood' and went on to win the title with a total of '13'!

Photo: Richard Gottfried - the 2011 'Melbourn Village Fete Target Bowls Champion'

The Melbourn Village Fete also had a Sheep Race!


I had a punt on the very serious looking Number 2 - Norbury's.


And it went and won it!

Video: Watch the race.


The Fete also had an Egg Throwing competition. The 34 player (17-team) field was won by two teams, as both of their eggs broke on the last throw!

After the fun of the Fetes, I headed to Kingsway Golf Centre, also in Melbourn, to have a play on their 9-hole Himalayas Minigolf Putting Course.


The course was the 196th played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in August 2010. On Saturday I had three practice rounds in the Irregular Mini Golf Tour Fake WACC competition against myself - ready for the West Anglia Challenge Cup competition, which will one-day be played on the very testing and fun course.


Prior to the building of the Himalayas Putting Course there used to be a 9-hole Crazy Golf course on the site. This was the 154th course we played on Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and was also the 200th overall course visit (played & unplayed) on the Tour!

Following the games at Kingsway Golf Centre, I headed to The Dolphin Pub in Melbourn village centre to see if the derelict 4-hole Crazy Golf course was still there.


It was.


In May 2010 we visited the course after a tip-off from fellow Minigolf Tourists - The Johnsons.

The Beer Garden has had a Boules Piste added to it by the looks of things.


So, my day of Minigolf and Fete fun in the sun ended drinking a Coke in a Pub Beer Garden sat amongst four derelict Crazy Golf holes in Melbourn. It doesn't get much better than that ha ha.

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

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

From the Archives - "Mini Masters" Ryanair Magazine Feature on the Great Britain Minigolf Sport Team - Tampere, Finland

On the 10th & 11th May 2008 Emily and I made our International Minigolf Debuts for the Great Britain Minigolf Sport team at the WMF/EMF Nations Cup international tournament in Tampere, Finland.

During the training for the event, and competition days, the GB Team was joined by Matt Barr from ACM Writing for a feature article in the July/August 2008 Edition of the Ryanair in-flight magazine in a great story called "Mini Masters".

For more from ACM Writing please check out their website, twitter and blog.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Check Out The Underdog (Book) and Underdog Nation (Website)

I recently finished reading the excellent sports book The Underdog, written by the Arm-Wrestling, Backwards Running, Sumo Wrestler Joshua Davis, and I highly recommend it. It's a great read.

You can check out the book (and read a sample chapter at Underdog Nation). The website also has links to loads of other 'Underdog' Sports and Games, where you can find out more before you 'Enter The Fray'!

In amongst all of the wierd and wonderful Underdog Sports, Miniature Golf gets a listing too. Great stuff.

The Underdog Nation

A new (minigolf) blog - Forever Pushing Buttons

One of my fellow BMGA Tour Minigolf Rivals Seth 'Clockwork Orange' Thomas recently started up a new Blog - Forever Pushing Buttons.

The blog by Seth carries a sub heading of "Terrible Tatter, Mediocre Minigolfer, Pathetic Pool player but still trying…..a bit." and his first blog post was about Minigolf.

The new blog came about after fellow Minigolfer and Blogger Oliver 'The Machine' Florence suggested Seth start a blog via a tweet on twitter.

Check out the list of links on the right hand side of this blog to check out other blogs and websites of note.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Baconnaise - everything should taste like bacon!!!

While over in Sweden playing minigolf for Great Britain I discovered a great food innovation for sale - Baconnaise!

Baconnaise

Absolutely genius, and very tasty!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Ladies & Gentlemen, introducing your 2011 'Melbourn Village Fete Target Bowls Champion'

2011 'Melbourn Village Fete Target Bowls Champion'

A New Minigolf Beer - The '19th Hole' from Uncle Stuart's Brewery at Wroxham Barns, Norfolk


Uncle Stuart's Brewery and Beer Shop at Wroxham Barns in Norfolk recently launched a brand new Beer, called the 19th Hole!

Wroxham Barns is home to an 18-hole Miniature Golf course and has hosted two BMGA English Open tournaments, and the BMGA British Championships since in opened in August 2008.

The 19th Hole Beer was launched to commemorate the staging of the 2011 BMGA English Open minigolf championships at Wroxham Barns. The first minigolf beer in history to my knowledge!






As I'm a Coeliac I can't drink 'normal' Beer/Lager as I am 'Intolerant to Gluten'. Luckily there are a few brewers out there meeting the needs of Coeliac Beer Drinkers and here's a run down of the other Gluten Free Beers and Lagers I've tried since being a Coeliac.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Richard Gottfried - Next 'Broski of the Week' Woo Woo Woo, You Know It!

WWE Superstar (and WWE Internet Champion) Zack Ryder is an internet sensation, and has created a YouTube show - Z! True Long Island Story - where fans can become the 'Broski of the Week' by uploading a video of themselves, showing why they are a true member of the Zack Pack.

Here's my video - after seeing a Barbers in Stevenage called 'Primo Stile'. Are you serious Bro? Primo!



Check out the latest edition of Z! True Long Island Story.

Visit Zack Ryder's YouTube Channel.

Follow him on twitter.

Like him on Facebook.

And remember - take care, spike your hair.

Woo Woo Woo, You Know It.

#251 - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Stockholm, Sweden - Eternit

The second of the two minigolf courses that we played at the Tantogårdens BGK at Tantolunden Park, Södermalm, Stockholm was the 18-hole Eternit course. This became number 251 played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Minigolf at the Tantogårdens BGK at Tantolunden Park, Södermalm, Stockholm

You can view full photos of the Eternit course at my Flickr site at Tantogarden Bangolf/Minigolf - Eternit.

Related Blog Post:

#250 - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Stockholm, Sweden - Beton

On the 8th June 2011 Emily and I flew to Stockholm, Sweden to play for Great Britain in the WMF Nations Cup international minigolf tournament.

The tournament was held at the Beton (Concrete) and Eternit (Miniaturegolf) minigolf courses of the TantogÃ¥rdens BGK at Tantolunden Park, Södermalm, Stockholm.

Minigolf at the Tantogårdens BGK at Tantolunden Park, Södermalm, Stockholm

Minigolf at the Tantogårdens BGK at Tantolunden Park, Södermalm, Stockholm

Minigolf at the Tantogårdens BGK at Tantolunden Park, Södermalm, Stockholm

Minigolf at the Tantogårdens BGK at Tantolunden Park, Södermalm, Stockholm

Minigolf at the Tantogårdens BGK at Tantolunden Park, Södermalm, Stockholm

The WMF Nations Cup tournament was held on the 11th and 12th of June, and official practice took place on both courses on the 9th and 10th of June. On the 8th we decided to contest the Tampere Reunion Classic title on the Beton course, which meant it became the Landmark 250th course played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour!

You can view full photos of the Beton course at my Flickr site at Tantogarden Bangolf/Minigolf - Beton.

Related Blog Post:

Thursday, June 23, 2011

strange games: Wrong Pong

strange games: Wrong Pong: "Strange Games inbox has been inundated by an email from James Michie who along with his colleagues Joe Kelly and Nicholas Wright run Wrong P..."

The new sport of Wrong Pong - a cross between Ping Pong & Crazy Golf!

I was recently browsing the net and came across the brilliant looking new sport of Wrong Pong!

The governing body of the sport - The International Wrong Pong Association (I.W.P.A.) - describe the sport as "... a game based on ping pong, and is to ping pong what crazy golf is to golf. It uses angled tables, tables with obstacles, and tables with textured surfaces. Matches are fast and fun."

It looks absolutely great fun, and I can't wait to make my I.W.P.A. Debut! Hopefully with my vast experience in Crazy Golf, and my Ranking of '50th in the world at WSPong Ping Pong' I'll do alright (or better).

Links:
The International Wrong Pong Association (I.W.P.A.) website

Wrong Pong Post at the Strange Games Blog

Hitting the 'Top Hole' in Crazy Golf

The Lucky Last Hole in Mini Golf

One of the aims of the game of Crazy Golf (once the 9, 12 or 18-holes of regulation play is done) is to 'WIN A FREE GAME' at the 'Top Hole'.

Not every minigolf course has one of these 'Lucky Last Holes', but those that do come with a variety of obstacles in your way to the hole, and that prized free game!

When you do 'Ace' the Top Hole you may find a cannon is fired, a bell rung, or a voice talking to you!

On our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour (currently standing at 251 courses played) I have only managed to win Free Games at four courses! Emily has won at three courses.

On our very first minigolf course visit on the 30th September 2006 I managed to Fire The Cannon and win a free game at the Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Portsmouth, but then I had to wait until the 4th of September 2009 and my 150th course visit to the Arnold Palmer Masters Putting Course, aka Crazee Golf, in Southport until my next win! After that it was at course played number 222 at the Adventure Golf in Fort Fun, Eastbourne on the 15th May 2011 that I next won a free game.

Free Game Pass at Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Southsea
At one of our most recent minigolf course re-visits, Emily and I both won free games at the Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Great Yarmouth on Sunday 5th June.

Related blog posts:
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Ephemera

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

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Results of Great Britain Minigolf Intra-Team Competitions at the WMF Nations Cup, Stockholm, Sweden

Results of intra-team competitions within the WMF Nations Cup:

- GBR Beton Championship

- GBR Eternite Championship

- BMGA Nations Cup Stockholm Giant Classic

Tampere Reunion Classic II - Stockholm, Sweden

Tampere Reunion Classic II minigolf competition played at the Tantogårdens BGK course at Tantolunden Park in Stockholm

Upon arrival in Stockholm, Sweden on Wednesday 8th June 2011, the four Great Britain Minigolf Sport Team members who had played at the 2008 WMF Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland decided to contest the second-ever Tampere Reunion Classic minigolf title on the Tantogårdens BGK Beton (Concrete) minigolf course.

Tampere Reunion Classic II minigolf competition played at the Tantogårdens BGK course at Tantolunden Park in Stockholm

In the one-round 18-hole contest played using course Balls and Putters Sean 'Freebird' Homer picked up the victory with a score of 38(+2), 11-shots ahead of 2009 TRC Champion 'Squire' Richard Gottfried & Marion 'Mation' Homer, who tied for second place with 49(+13). Emily 'Coach' Gottfried was third on the Podium with a score of 52(+16).

Tampere Reunion Classic II minigolf competition played at the Tantogårdens BGK course at Tantolunden Park in Stockholm

Tampere Reunion Classic II minigolf competition played at the Tantogårdens BGK course at Tantolunden Park in Stockholm

Tampere Reunion Classic II minigolf competition played at the Tantogårdens BGK course at Tantolunden Park in Stockholm

Tampere Reunion Classic II minigolf competition played at the Tantogårdens BGK course at Tantolunden Park in Stockholm

Tampere Reunion Classic II minigolf competition played at the Tantogårdens BGK course at Tantolunden Park in Stockholm

Photo: On th Podium (from l-r) Richard Gottfried, Marion Homer, Sean Homer (winner), Emily Gottfried

Tampere Reunion Classic II minigolf competition played at the Tantogårdens BGK course at Tantolunden Park in Stockholm

Related blog posts:
Results of the 2009 Tampere Reunion Classic
- Stockholm, Sweden (Tantogårdens BGK, Tantolunden Park) - Beton Minigolf

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Coeliac UK - Gluten-free Max Your Snack competition

Coeliac UK, the leading charity working for people with coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), are currently running a competition on their website and through their magazine calling for people to 'Max' their Snacks!

Back before I was diagnosed as having Coeliac Disease, Emily and I made a 'Super Weiner' Mega Hot Dog for the brilliant website Pimp That Snack! That was way-back in May 2006!

The Pimp That Snack website runs a League Table for the Pimped Out Snacks that users submit to the site, and visitors get to vote for the ones they like (or dislike). The 1Kg, 3,185 Calorie Super Weiner is currently ranked 387 of 421 Pimped Snacks!

I'm currently thinking of ideas of what type of snack food item I should Max Out and Supersize - any suggestions gratefully received. I'm quite tempted to try to 'Max' another Hot Dog, but I'm also thinking of trying something sweet. Decisions, decisions...

Coeliac UK - Gluten-free Max Your Snack competition

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Not Played in Stockholm, Sweden

While we were away in Stockholm, Sweden playing in the 2011 WMF Nations Cup international minigolf tournament, we got to play two new courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

According to the Visit-Stockholm.com website the city is home to six other minigolf clubs/courses (in addition to the two at the Tantogårdens Bangolfklubb). More details can be found here.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley

A new Minigolf course spotted in Hertfordshire!

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire
A photo of the Dinosaur Adventure Golf course at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley and one of the 'inhabitants' on our visit in July 2011 

Me, Emily and Brad spotted the building work on a new Adventure Golf course while we were on the On The Buses Event around Elstree & Borehamwood on Saturday 18th June!

The course is not open yet (obviously), but digging around online I found the promotion for it (and the surrounding golf range etc.) has started, and it looks like it is planned to open in early-July 2011.

Fingers crossed all goes well with the rest of the build, we look forward to giving it a go when it opens.

I managed to take one quick photo of the construction site as we were passing, as it's visible from the road.

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire

Dinosaur Safari website (under construction as at 20th June 2011)

A1 Golf Driving Range website (new website 'coming soon')

The address is:
Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf
A1 Golf Driving Range, Rowley Lane
Arkley, Hertfordshire, EN5 3HW

Related blog posts:
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London

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

Red Name Dead Ends - another way to say Ham & Egger?

Reading the 17th June 2011 Issue of Sport Magazine there was a story on page 10 about the San Marino Football Club 'Tre Fiori' and the fact that most of their players are so unheard of that they are "Red Name Dead Ends" on Wikipedia!

Another new way to describe "Ham & Eggers". Brilliant.

Fellow BMGA Tour Minigolfer Marc 'The Roller' Bazeley and I have decided that if and when we ever team-up as a Minigolf Doubles Team then we will be called "The Red Name Dead Ends".

Now, time to get to work on my Wikipedia entry...

On The Buses Event - 40th Anniversary of the First On The Buses film

Joining the On The Buses Fan Club for a day out to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the first On The Buses film.

On The Buses in Elstree and Borehamwood
Richard & Brad next to the tour bus. The tree to the left is where Blakey gets splashed by the big puddle in the first two On The Buses films!

On Saturday 18th June 2011 me, Emily and Brad Shepherd headed to Elstree & Borehamwood for the On The Buses Fan Club Event to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the first On The Buses film!

It was a great day out, and we took in such sites and locations from the films as 'Stan's house', 'The Cemetary Gates', 'Turnaround Betty's House' and the 'Laundrette', amongst many others!

We also got to meet the writers - Ronald Wolfe and Ronald Chesney, and Producer Stuart Allen!

Unfortunately some of the other guest stars could not attend, including Anna Karen who played Olive in the series and movies.

The day was finished off with a 'Big Screen' viewing of the original On The Buses film! Brilliant stuff.

Photos from the event:


On The Buses in Elstree and Borehamwood
Richard and a tour Bus

On The Buses in Elstree and Borehamwood
Turnaround Betty's House

On The Buses in Elstree and Borehamwood
The Turnaround Point

On The Buses in Elstree and Borehamwood
Richard doing a 'Jack'

On The Buses in Elstree and Borehamwood
The Laundrette where Blakey gets hold of someone elses washing!

On The Buses in Elstree and Borehamwood
At the Cemetary Gates!

On The Buses in Elstree and Borehamwood
The Butler's House

On The Buses in Elstree and Borehamwood
Emily takes a photo of Richard taking a photo of Brad taking a photo of the other On The Buses Fan Club members taking photos of the drain that Olive fell down in Mutiny On The Buses!!!

On The Buses in Elstree and Borehamwood
Reg Varney's Star on the Elstree & Borehamwood Walk of Fame (near the train station)

More details about the On The Buses Fan Club can be found at - On The Buses Fan Club.