Tuesday, March 30, 2021

Crazy Golf at York Golf Range

A look at the Crazy Golf course at York Golf Range.


Crazy Golf at York Golf Range


Crazy Golf at York Golf Range

The 11-hole layout was the 452nd played and 764th visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Crazy Golf at York Golf Range

Visit the York Golf Range website for more information, opening times and prices.

The Inbetweeners in Cheadle

Spotted in Cheadle.


Cheadle Car Sales has got an Inbetweeners car parked up in Cheadle.

The Inbetweeners in Cheadle

British Minigolf Association events for 2021

The British Minigolf Association has announced its list of tournaments for the year ahead.



The British Minigolf Association (BMGA) Tour season tees-off with the Midlands Open on Saturday 29th May on the Adventure Golf course at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull.

The season comes to a close with the Cornwall Open on Sunday 21st November at the new Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club in Saltash.

A total of twelve events have been scheduled. The BMGA has stated that all dates should currently be considered as provisional due to Covid-19. A further five events are currently postponed with updates to follow.

For more information visit the BMGA website.

Sunday, March 28, 2021

Gutt Busters in Rugby

If you're in Rugby, and you feel hungry, who you gonna call...


Gutt Busters in Rugby
Gutt Busters!

Gutt Busters in Rugby
We spotted Gutt Busters on a visit to Rugby in Warwickshire seven years ago

Friday, March 26, 2021

Crazy Golf at the Sun Parlour Cafe in Ripon's Spa Gardens

There's a new Crazy Golf course at the Sun Parlour Cafe in Ripon's Spa Gardens.


There's a new Crazy Golf course at the Sun Parlour Cafe at Ripon's Spa Gardens

We played the original layout at the Spa Gardens on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in June 2009! The new course looks very interesting, with some interesting obstacles and tricky holes.


The new layout itself is very different to the large old concrete course we played.

It'll be nice to revisit Ripon and have a game on the Spa Gardens Crazy Golf course.

Visit the Sun Parlour Cafe's Facebook Page for more information.

Bognor Regis Mini Golf

The Bognor Regis Mini Golf course has had a refresh and some new obstacles added ahead of its reopening for the 2021 season.

We played the course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in October 2011! It was the 275th course we visited.

Bognor Regis Mini Golf in October 2011

It'll be superb to get back down to Bognor Regis to see what's changed, what's new and to have a few rounds on the mini golf course.

The new helter skelter obstacle looks wonderful.

The Bognor Regis Mini Golf course was built in 1993 and was the last new Arnold Palmer Putting Course layout to be created. It's a fine example of its kind and we found it to be fun and nicely tricky to play - in our match-up Emily beat me 39-42 with a start of two Aces in a row. However this was followed by two 3's, but she still scored an 'out' of 18.

Bognor Regis Mini Golf in October 2011

Bognor Regis Mini Golf in October 2011

Bognor Regis Mini Golf course can be found at Waterloo Gardens, on the esplanade in Bognor Regis, West Sussex.

Bognor Regis Mini Golf in October 2011


Visit the Bognor Regis Mini Golf Facebook Page for more information.

Hole in Wand mini golf opening in York

The new Hole in Wand mini golf course in York city centre is opening in May.


The new Hole in Wand mini golf course in York city centre is opening in May

The venue has a 9-hole indoor crazy golf course and bookings are available from the 17th May.

Hole in Wand in the Coppergate Centre is operated by the team behind Potions Cauldron shop in the Shambles.

Visit the Hole in Wand website for more information.

Thursday, March 25, 2021

Boom: Battle Bar at Regent Circus in Swindon

There are plans for a new Boom: Battle Bar at Regent Circus in Swindon, Wiltshire.


Boom: Battle Bars are home to a range of competitive socialising games including crazy golf (crazier golf), axe throwing, curling, skeeball, darts, boules and more.

There are plans for a new Boom: Battle Bar at Regent Circus in Swindon, Wiltshire

There are Boom: Battle Bars in Norwich and Cardiff and plans for others in Liverpool, Glasgow, Oxford, Coventry, West Thurrock, Eastbourne, Aberdeen, Aldgate, Wandsworth and Manchester.

Visit the Boom: Battle Bar website for more info.

Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Playing Mini Golf at Boondocks Fun Center in Northglenn, Colorado

I played Mini Golf at Boondocks Fun Center in Northglenn, Colorado, USA twelve years ago today!


Mini Golf at Boondocks Fun Center in Northglenn, Colorado

I played the two miniature golf courses at Boondocks Fun Center in the town of Northglenn on this day in 2009.

Mini Golf at Boondocks Fun Center in Northglenn, Colorado

Mini Golf at Boondocks Fun Center in Northglenn, Colorado

My visit came during a trip to Denver to attend a week-long sports conference in the city. During some down time I travelled outside the city limits to play miniature golf in the Boondocks.

Mini Golf at Boondocks Fun Center in Northglenn, Colorado
At the two courses at Boondocks Fun Center

As it was '$12 Tuesday' I had unlimited play on the minigolf courses - the Caverns Mill and Hillbilly Hallow - that sit next to Interstate-25. I managed to fit in three rounds on the two layouts.

Mini Golf at Boondocks Fun Center in Northglenn, Colorado

They were the 82nd and 83rd courses played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

A game token from Boondocks Fun Center in Northglenn
A token from Boondocks

Check out the Boondocks Fun Center website for more information, opening times and prices.


A game token from Boondocks Fun Center in Northglenn

A closed video shop in Luton

I spotted this snap of the old Shahenshah Videos shop on Alder Crescent in Luton while looking through my photos recently.


Shahenshah Videos shop on Alder Crescent in Luton

Check out my other video shop blog posts.

KFC in Handforth - Kansas Fried Chicken

Kansas Fried Chicken in Handforth, Cheshire.


Kansas Fried Chicken in Handforth, Cheshire

One of a number of 'KFCs' seen on my travels.

Kansas Fried Chicken in Handforth, Cheshire

There are also Kansas Fried Chicken shops in Mauldeth Road and Didsbury Village.

Kansas Fried Chicken in Handforth, Cheshire
A sign of the times

Putt18 World Pro League 2021 - Week 6

I'll be teeing-off in week six of the Putt18 World Pro League at 6pm on Saturday 3rd April.


Putt18 World Pro League

You can watch my rounds on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Facebook Page.

Putt18 Golf Putting Game System

21 players from the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the USA are competing in the seven event series to find the world's best putter on the Putt18 Golf Putting Game System.

Check out the Putt18 website for more information.

RadioShack is back

Electronics retailer RadioShack is back in business.


RadioShack in Saint Annes on the Sea

US electronics brand RadioShack is aiming to make a comeback with an online shopping mall concept alongside other brands owned by its new parent company. Check out the RadioShack website.

Funnily enough I was at a RadioShack in Denver, Colorado twelve years ago today!

Digital camera quality was something else in 2009!

RadioShack in the UK

I also found a RadioShack shop in Saint Annes on the Sea on the Fylde Coast in June 2017. Sadly it closed down in 2019.

RadioShack in Saint Annes on the Sea
RadioShack in Saint Annes on the Sea - it was the last RadioShack shop in the UK 

Luckily I did manage to shop in there a few times before it disappeared.

Shopping at RadioShack
It was worth shopping there for the bag alone!


RadioShack sign from a shop in Whitstable, Kent
Looking through my photo archive I also found this RadioShack sign from a shop in Whitstable, Kent.

Tandy

My first job was at a Tandy franchise shop in my hometown of Abingdon, Oxfordshire where I sold a number of electronic products bearing the 'RadioShack', 'Genexxa' and 'Realistic' brand names.

Tandy in Hitchin
This Tandy signage was on display in Hitchin in 2019

Tandy said goodbye to the UK high street in 2001 as the last of the shops were converted after acquisition by Carphone Warehouse.

Tandy in Hitchin
Round the back of the shop in March 2016

Last year I discovered that the Tandy brand is still alive and kicking. While there are no longer any Tandy shops on the high street I actually bought some Tandy brand rechargeable batteries from the Tandy online shop.

Tandy batteries

I also found a new old stock Tandy EC-500 Multilingual electronic translator in a charity shop in Stockport last November. That was a bargain buy - it cost me more to buy new CR2032 batteries to go in it!

Interestingly the name Tandy comes from one of the founders of a leather goods company called Tandy Leather - a business that later became RadioShack.

Related blog posts:

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

City Golf Tour in Sweden

A new minigolf tournament circuit has been announced in Sweden.


City Golf Europe in Stoke Park, Guildford, Surrey, England

A new minigolf competition tour has been created in Sweden with qualification events due to take place at various venues this year.

The City Golf Tour varies from many other events in Sweden, other parts of Scandinavia and continental Europe as the events will be taking place on what is technically known as Minigolf Open Standard (MOS). To most players in the UK, USA, Australia and New Zealand these courses would be recognisable as minigolf or adventure golf layouts.

The City Golf Tour has been created by Svenska MOS-Alliansen (Swedish MOS Alliance). The organisation is an alliance of seven Swedish minigolf clubs that are members of Svenska Bangolfförbundet (Swedish Minigolf Federation), a member of the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF).

City Golf Europe in Stoke Park, Guildford
In the cup at Guildford

Visit the City Golf Tour website for further details and entry information.


Jiggers Miniature Golf in Thorpeness, Suffolk

About City Golf

City Golf Europe was formed in Sweden in the 1930's and since then has gone on to build and supply more than 2,500 minigolf courses and 250 adventure golf courses around the world.

How to play minigolf - in three languages
How to play minigolf - in three languages

City Golf layouts range from permanent Adventure Golf and Mini Golf courses, to more traditional Swedish Felt types of course.

The Swedish Felt Crazy Golf course on Southend Pier
The Swedish Felt Crazy Golf course on Southend Pier

Playing City Golf courses

We've played a lot of City Golf courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour travels, including an indoor course at the Mall of Scandinavia in Solna, Sweden.

Sports World Mini Golf at O'Leary's in the Mall of Scandinavia
Playing the Ice Hockey hole on the Sports World Mini Golf course at O'Leary's in the Mall of Scandinavia

Check out the City Golf Europe website for more information on their work.


Jiggers Miniature Golf at Thorpeness Golf Club & Hotel in Suffolk
Playing Jiggers Miniature Golf at Thorpeness Golf Club & Hotel in Suffolk

Winning on City Golf layouts

We've competed in a number of independent and official BMGA tournaments on City Golf courses and back in 2009 I won the Pleasure Beach Open competition on the 12-hole course in Blackpool.

Richard Gottfried playing in the Pleasure Beach Open in Blackpool
On my way to victory and with the superb trophy at the Pleasure Beach Open

Signs of the coronavirus pandemic times

A look at signs of the Coronavirus pandemic, social distancing and lockdown.


Social distancing world champion floor sticker at a pub in Chesterfield

I've been documenting the coronavirus pandemic in a number of ways, one of which is by photographing the different signs and posters I see on my walks and limited travels.

We're one year into lockdown in the UK and in that time I've collated some 922 of these (and counting) on my Instagram account.

One of the very first signs I snapped was this one during a local walk that passed by Cheadle Angling Club on Demmings Road in Cheadle.

Coronavirus sign at Cheadle Angling Club


Social distancing at Bruntwood Park Pitch & Putt in Cheadle

There is certainly a real variety of warnings, instructions and directional signage to do with social distancing, and I was amused by this photo Emily took of the social distancing measures in place on an escalator in M&S!

Social distancing on an escalator in M&S, Chesterfield

Surely the 2 metre apart distance stickers should be on the moving walkway as well, rather than the static sides of the escalator? I wonder how many people adhere to the rule and wait for the person ahead of them to reach the first marker?

Have you seen any interesting, quirky or amusing signs during these pandemic times? Do let me know.

Monday, March 22, 2021

Jurassic Links Adventure Golf at Kingsway Golf Centre in Melbourn

A look at the Jurassic Links Adventure Golf course at Kingsway Golf Centre.


Jurassic Links Adventure Golf at Kingsway Golf Centre in Melbourn. Photo by Simon Baker, HM Adventure Golf, March 2021

The brand new Jurassic Links Adventure Golf has been completed at Kingsway Golf Centre in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire and is gearing up to welcome players when minigolf courses are allowed to open to the public again.

Jurassic Links Adventure Golf at Kingsway Golf Centre in Melbourn. Photo by Simon Baker, HM Adventure Golf, March 2021
The gates are waiting to open up to the course

Jurassic Links Adventure Golf is planned to open on the 29th March.

Jurassic Links Adventure Golf at Kingsway Golf Centre in Melbourn. Photo by Simon Baker, HM Adventure Golf, March 2021

Check out the Jurassic Links Adventure Golf website for more information.


Many thanks to Simon Baker from HM Adventure Golf for sending over the snaps.

Visit the HM Adventure Golf website to see more of their work and courses they have created.


Emily and I are looking forward to giving the course a play on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.

Minigolfing at Kingsway Golf Centre

We've played minigolf at Kingsway Golf Centre on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour before. The golf centre was home to a Crazy Golf course that became the 200th we visited on our travels in 2009. That layout was replaced with the Himalayas Putting Course in 2010.

Crazy Golfing in Melbourn

For a small village Melbourn has been home to a lot of minigolf courses over the years! As well as the crazy golf, putting course and adventure golf courses at Kingsway Golf Centre the village has been home to pop-up miniature golf courses at the annual fete and The Dolphin pub was once home to a 4-hole crazy golf course!

Crazy Golf at Millets Farm near Abingdon

I've found out there's a Crazy Golf course at Millets Farm Centre near my hometown of Abingdon in Oxfordshire.

There's a crazy golf course at Millets Farm Centre near Abingdon

The Crazy Golf course is part of the Maize Maze attraction part of Millets Farm Centre in Frilford, near Abingdon.

I haven't been to Millets Farm for years, but have got lots of great memories of visiting with my family when I was growing up. It was brilliant fun doing Pick Your Own and going on the tractor rides there.

It'll be nice to revisit and have a game on the Crazy Golf course as part of our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.

Visit the Millets Farm Centre website for more information.

New mini golf course opening at Planters Garden Centre in Tamworth

A new mini golf course is opening at Planters Garden Centre in Tamworth, Staffordshire.


A new mini golf course is opening at Planters Garden Centre in Tamworth, Staffordshire

The new 12-hole mini golf course will have a Mountains of the World theme and it is planned to open on the 17th April.

It's another new course for us to play on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.

Visit the Planters Garden Centre website for more information.


Garden Centre Minigolf


Crazy Golf at Coal Drops Yard in London

Pop-up Crazy Golf at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, London.


Crazy Golf at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, London

The pop-up Crazy Golf course at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, London is returning next month.

The 9-hole rave-inspired art-based pop-up minigolf course is planned to be set-up at Coal Drops Yard from the 6th April to the 9th May, with the course open to bookings between 12pm and 8pm.

Artists Baker & Borowski created the 9-hole themed Crazy Golf layout inspired by the rave culture in the King's Cross area back in the 1980's and 90's.

Crazy Golf at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, London


Crazy Golf at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, London

Visit the Coal Drops Yard website for more information and bookings.