A re-visit to the Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf course in Arkley

Five-player ‘friendly’ Minigolf tournament played at the 18-hole Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf course in Arkley, Hertfordshire.

On Tuesday 1^st of October we headed to Arkley in Hertfordshire (near Elstree & Borehamwood) for an evening round of Minigolf on the 18-hole Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf course at the A1 Golf Centre.

Lining up to compete in the international affair were:

- Emily ‘Lemony’ Gottfried (GBR)

- Liezl ‘The Big Easy’ Van Zyl (RSA)

- Lucy ‘Whacker’ Wallace (GBR)

-  James 'Big Jim/Lucky Jim/Flukester/Not Amy' Specker (GBR)

- ‘Squire’ Richard Gottfried (GBR)

Tee-ing off in dry, light and cool weather conditions the round of golf concluded in the dark and with the onset of quite autumnal weather.

Hole one saw each player, apart from Emily, score a two. James 'Big Jim/Lucky Jim/Flukester/Not Amy' Specker earned his nickname on this hole with an incredibly recovery shot to save par after what can only be described as a horrendous tee-shot.

James 'Big Jim/Lucky Jim/Flukester/Not Amy' Specker with a slightly wayward tee-shot on the first hole

Hole two saw South African superstar Putt Putter Liezl ‘The Big Easy’ Van Zyl make her mark on the event with an awesome hole-in-one to take the lead.

Liezl 'The Big Easy' Van Ziel on the way to scoring a great hole-in-one at Arkley

The remaining seven holes of the front-nine saw steady play from most of the player, barring a few threes and a four apiece for Lemony and Lucy ‘Whacker’ Wallace.

Lucy 'Whacker' Wallace steps up to take on the Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf course

At the half-way stage of the contest the scores were:

- Liezl ‘The Big Easy’ Van Zyl – 19

- ‘Squire’ Richard Gottfried – 20

- James 'Big Jim/Lucky Jim/Flukester/Not Amy' Specker – 21

- Emily ‘Lemony’ Gottfried – 22

- Lucy ‘Whacker’ Wallace – 25

The back-nine started badly for Mr Specker who scored an unfortunate five to put a mild dent in his championship hopes.

Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried in Minigolf action at Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf in Arkley

It was at the 12^th hole that the match got even more exciting. After Squire had scored a two that was almost an ace with a clever and sneaky line to the hole, Emily and Liezl followed-up up by getting ever closer to the hole and Lucy ‘Whacker’ Wallace scored an incredibly hole-in-one to huge delight from her opponents.

An interesting view of the Minigolf contest during play

Attempts to recreate this piece of minigolf magic were unsuccessful, but long will the moment be remembered in the scrapbooks of her opponent’s minds.

With the win available to any with six holes remaining and the dreaded volcano obstacle to face on the penultimate hole it was Squire, The Big Easy and Lemony in with a shot at the title.

Unfortunately for Lemony the wheels would come off at the 17^th with a dreadful maximum score of seven. Squire had hit a safe two and Liezl also scored a par. Whacker put away a nice three, while Flukester couldn’t conjure up any of his earlier magic and also carded a seven.

Squire tackles the Volcano 17th hole at Arkley's Adventure Golf course as keen rival, The Big Easy, looks on

With only the final long downhill hole to play the title was being battled for between Great Britain and South Africa. Squire stepped up first and scored a two, with Liezl also shooting a par. All that was left to do was add up the scores to find out who won...

Final results

- ‘Squire’ Richard Gottfried – 20 + 20 = 39(+3)

- Liezl ‘The Big Easy’ Van Zyl – 19 + 23 = 42(+6)

- Emily ‘Lemony’ Gottfried – 22 + 27 = 49(+13)

- James 'Big Jim/Lucky Jim/Flukester/Not Amy' Specker – 21 + 30 = 51(+15)

- Lucy ‘Whacker’ Wallace – 25 + 27 = 52(+16)

The course was in great condition, with some interesting dino-facts dotted around the course. Some of the water hazards are really good too – with most of the field finding the water on the sixth hole!?

The warning/advice on this sign was not heeded on hole six where four out of the five of us went in the drink!

Related blog posts:

- New Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf opening atthe A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Herts (near Elstree & Borehamwood)

- Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course Played atthe A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire

-  Gottfried vs. Hinton - Healthy MinigolfCompetition at Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf

- Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and aroundLondon

- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - List and linksfor all Miniature Golf courses visited to date

Links:

- Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf

- A1 Golf Centre

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