A blog about our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. With a sprinkling of nostalgia and urban exploration for good measure.
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Crazy Hills Putting in Weston-super-Mare
Friday, March 26, 2021
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.
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 course can be found at Waterloo Gardens, on the esplanade in Bognor Regis, West Sussex.
Visit the Bognor Regis Mini Golf Facebook Page for more information.
Monday, March 15, 2021
Roll on summer...
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Social distancing at Whitby's Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course
Playing hole 1 in August 2015 |
The course was the 545th visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and we're looking forward to returning to play there again in the future.
It's the sort of course I could play on all day long.
Social distancing at Hastings Adventure Golf
We've played at Hastings Adventure Golf a lot over the years and look forward to having a few more rounds there in the future.
The World Crazy Golf Championships were due to take place at Hastings Adventure Golf earlier this month. This was me playing hole 2 in front of a crowd at the 2014 World Championships |
The 18-hole Crazy Golf course at Hastings Adventure Golf in East Sussex turned 45 years old this year, having opened on Saturday 21st March 1975.
Hole 7 of the Crazy Golf course at Hastings Adventure Golf. One of my all-time favourite courses |
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
Minigolf in Cleethorpes
We were in Cleethorpes two years ago.
Time has flown by!
What a seaside.
There are five miniature golf courses there.
Clockwise from top left Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf (also home to a Putting Green), Oddball's Crazy Golf, Pirate Adventure Golf at the Fairworld Amusements and the Arnold Palmer Putting course |
We hope to return one day.
Check out the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Newsletter archive and sign-up to receive future editions.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Posted from Skegness
A look at a minigolf stamp from the Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Skegness.
Playing the course in May 2011 |
Playing the Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Skegness as part of our Minigolf Weekender in 2015 |
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
Richard Gottfried - Minigolf Player Profile
Richard Gottfried is a minigolf enthusiast and has played the game since he was a child.
Miniature Golf Player Profile - Richard Gottfried
Squire
Putter
Fun-Sports
Laterality
Right-handed
Favourite Minigolf Balls
Finnish Heavy Gentlemen 100-Year Anniversary (3D)
NIFO 2
Tim 'Ace Man' Davies Legends Ball (M&G)
Tour Memberships
American Mini Golf Alliance (AMA) 2022-present
American Golf Championship Tour 2017
British Minigolf Association (BMGA) Membership
BMGA Tour Pro 2011-2015
Full member 2007-2010
BMGA Tour Debut
2007 - BMGA British Masters
2007-2020 - Midlands Minigolf Club (MMGC)
2010-2011 - Green Mini Golf Club (GMGC)
BMGA Tour Competition Victories
BMGA British Club Championships (w/ Midlands MGC) 2015
BMGA & Putterfingers Oswestry Games Minigolf Championship 2012
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Open 2009
Manchester Miniature Open 2009
Manchester Mini Masters 2009
BMGA British Club Championships (w/ Midlands MGC) 2008
Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open Champion 2018 |
Other Notable Wins
Winner - Putt18 Battle of the Brits 2021
Winner - Low Score of the Week (qualifying for the end of season tournament) at Southwold Putting & Cafe on the Green 2018
Winner - The DinoFalls Masters 2018
Winner - MMGC DinoFalls Invitational Tournament 2018
Winner - The Butler Cup 2017
Winner (w/ P. Jones) - American Golf's Adventure Golf Pairs Championship Regional Qualifier (Wales) at Clays Golf Centre 2017
Winner - Southend Arnold Palmer Classic 2016
Winner - Southend Pier Invitational Tournament 2016
Winner - Hole-In-One Charity Challenge at the BMGA British Championships 2015
Winner - Dunton Hills Invitational 2015
Winner - Hole-In-One Charity Challenge at the BMGA British Championships 2014
Aces Champion - BMGA British Masters 2014
Winner - Chrizy Golf Masters - 2012
Winner - Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship August Playoff - Final - 2012
Winner - Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff - 2012
Winner - The Putt Park Annual Mini-Golf Tournament (Las Vegas) - 2011
Winner - Cystadleuaeth Minigolff Cymraeg (Welsh Minigolf Tournament) 2011
Winner (w/ C. Harding) - Weymouth Open Team Tournament - 2011
Winner - First edition of the Green Mini Golf Club (GMGC) Club Tournament 2010
Five-time Scrap Iron Cup Champion
Other Notable Results
Runner-up (w/ P. Jones) - American Golf's Adventure Golf Pairs Championship National Final 2017
Runner-up - Great Northern Minigolf Open - 2017
Runner-up - National Miniature Golf Day Tournament 2016 & 2019
Runner-up - Surrey Invitational Tournament 2014 & 2016
Runner-up (w/ Midlands Minigolf Club 1st team - M.Smith, C.Harding, R.Gottfried & C.Smith) - BMGA British Open Team Championship 2014
Runner-up - Category 2 BMGA British Minigolf Championships 2012
Runner-up - The Brewmaster's Open 2012
Runner-up - Birdies Pop Up Golf Official Launch Night Competition 2011
Runner-up - Putterfingers Micro Putt Mini Golf Competition 2011
Runner-up - 1st Annual Putter King Miniature Golf Scavenger Hunt 2011
Runner-up (w/ W. Collins) - Lost World Adventure Golf Pro-Am Classic 2011
Runner-up - London Invitational Tournament 2011
Runner-up - BMGA British Matchplay Championships 2010
Runner-up - London Open 2009
Runner-up - Cystadleuaeth Minigolff Cymraeg (Welsh Minigolf Tournament) 2009
Runner-up - Adventure Island Mini Golf League 2008
3rd - Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open Championships 2019
3rd - Surrey Invitational Tournament 2019
3rd - The Butler Cup 2018
3rd - Midlands Invitational Tournament 2015
3rd - Midlands Open 2015
3rd (w/ Midlands Minigolf Club) - BMGA British Club Championships 2011, 2012 & 2013
4th (w/ B. Shepherd, E. Gottfried & J. Trubridge) - Caddyshackers Open 2019
4th - BMGA British Masters 2013
4th - Midlands Open 2010
5th - BMGA Players Championships 2007
7th - BMGA British Minigolf Championships 2012
9th - BMGA British Masters 2011
Par-3 Miniature Golf events
T13th - MiniLinks Mini US Open 2017 (Par-3 Miniature Golf tournament debut)
15th - MiniLinks Mini Open 2017
T24th - MiniLinks PGA Championship 2017
Richard Gottfried playing hole 2 in the 2014 World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings |
International Tournaments
16th - Putt18 World Pro League 2021
32nd - World Crazy Golf Championships 2014
21st - Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships 2013
5th - Great Britain Team at the WMF World Adventure Golf Masters 2013
12th - WMF World Adventure Golf Masters (Male Category) 2013
20th - WMF World Adventure Golf Masters 2013
17th (Finalist) - Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships 2012
4th - Great Britain Team at the WMF World Adventure Golf Masters 2012
11th - WMF World Adventure Golf Masters (Male Category) 2012
14th - WMF World Adventure Golf Masters 2012
25th - Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships 2011
34th - Great Britain Player at the WMF Nations Cup (Male Category), Stockholm, Sweden 2011
41st - Great Britain Player at the WMF Nations Cup, Stockholm, Sweden 2011
10th - Great Britain Team at the WMF Nations Cup, Stockholm, Sweden 2011
11th - WMF World Adventure Golf Masters (Male Category) 2011
18th (Finalist) - WMF World Adventure Golf Masters 2011
17th (Finalist) - Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships 2010
17th (Finalist) - Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships 2008
51st - Great Britain Player at the WMF Nations Cup, Tampere, Finland 2008
13th - Great Britain Team at the WMF Nations Cup, Tampere, Finland 2008
39th - Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Championships 2007
Personal Best Competition Rounds (18-holes)
MOS (Adventure, Crazy, Mini-Golf) = 27(-9)
Miniaturegolf (Eternit) = 28(-8)
Concrete (Beton) = 33(-3)
Feltgolf (Swedish Felt) = 34(-2)
Course Records (Current)
Blackpool Pleasure Beach Adventure Golf (12-holes) - 24(par)
Course Records (Previous)
2010 Birmingham Adventure Island Mini Golf at Star City (18-holes) - 28(-8) - Joint Record
2009 Weymouth Pirates Adventure Golf at Lodmoor Country Park (18-holes) - 41(+5) - Joint Record
2008 Wroxham Barns Minigolf (18-holes) - 34(-2)
2007 Hastings Seafront Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf (18-holes) - 32(-4) - Joint Record
Highest BMGA Rankings Position
BMGA Strokeplay Order of Merit Rankings - 5th - 14/04/2013 - 12/05/2013
BMGA Order of Merit Ranking - 7th - 04/07/2010 - 19/09/2010
Highest BMGA Rankings (as at End of Season)
BMGA Strokeplay Order of Merit - 11th - 2013
BMGA Strokeplay Order of Merit - 15th - 2012
BMGA Season Only Rankings - 5th - 2012
BMGA Order of Merit Rankings - 11th - 2009/10
BMGA Strokeplay Order of Merit Rankings - 15th - 2012
BMGA Matchplay Order of Merit Rankings - 15th - 2012
Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Rankings
October 2010 - 26th
June 2009 - 45th
WMF World Minigolf Men's Rankings (General Class)
March 2016 - 408th
December 2015 - 387th
March 2015 - 409th
December 2014 - 383rd
March 2014 - 397th
December 2013 - 372nd
March 2013 - 406th
November 2012 - 391st
March 2012 - 345th
November 2011 - 406th
March 2011 - Unranked
November 2010 - 413th
March 2009 - 352nd
November 2008 - 425th
Sports and Minigolf Awards
Guinness World Record Holder for "Most miniature golf courses visited" 2024
Named 'Mini-golf's iron man' by the Eastern Daily Press, 2017
Named 'Britain's Barmiest Golfers' w/ Emily Gottfried by Today's Golfer magazine, November 2016
Named 'Officially Britain’s Craziest Golfer' by Today's Golfer magazine, October 2015
3rd place - Oswestry Games Oslympics Open Quiz - 2012
Genius Gluten Free Christmas Hero - 3rd Dec 2012
#Minigolf Internet Champion - 2012
Runner-up - "Best Bow Tie" Award - 2011 - ALT-LSN Awards
"Best Bow Tie" Award - 2008, 2009 & 2010 - ALT-LSN Awards
"Sports Man of the Year" - 4th (tied) - The Luton Sports Network Luton Sports Awards for 2010
"Sports Man of the Year" - Top 6 - The Luton Sports Network Luton Sports Awards for 2009
"Sports Man of the Year" - 4th - The Luton Sports Network Luton Sports Awards for 2008
"Most improved player on the BMGA Tour" - Winner - MiniatureGolfer.com Awards 2008
Other Honours
2012 Great Britain Minigolf Sport Squad Member
2011 Captain of the Great Britain (B) Team at the WMF Nations Cup
2011 Great Britain Minigolf Sport Squad Member
2009 & 2013 Captain of the Midlands Minigolf Club 'A Team' in the BMGA British Club Championships
2008 Great Britain Minigolf Sport Squad Member
Richard Gottfried teeing-off in the final of the 2009 'Castle Golf' World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings |
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Monday, March 16, 2020
Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cleethorpes
A look at the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire.
The 18-hole Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cleethorpes |
I've played a lot of minigolf courses on my travels and my favourite type is the classic Arnold Palmer Putting Course.
There aren't too many examples left in the UK, but the majority of those still out there are in very playable condition. They are superb fun and a real test of putting skill.
I highly recommend giving them a play the next chance you get to have a game of miniature golf.
One of my all-time favourite courses is the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire. I played it a lot on our trip to the seaside resort in 2018.
Holes 1-9 |
Holes 10-18 |
You can read more about Arnold Palmer Putting Courses in my blog post about them at 'Arnold Palmer Putting Courses in the UK'.
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Sunday, October 20, 2019
The Arnold Palmer Putting Courses in Great Yarmouth
A look at the lost Arnold Palmer Putting Courses in Great Yarmouth.
On our last visit to Great Yarmouth in Norfolk back in July 2016 we swung by Castaway Island Mini Golf.
The entrance to Castaway Island Mini Golf |
The new course replaced the 9-hole and 18-hole Arnold Palmer Putting courses on the promenade.
Hole 1 of the 18-hole Arnold Palmer Putting Course |
Those old courses were the 22nd and 23rd courses played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in June 2007.
We're looking forward to our next visit to the seaside resort. It'll be brilliant to be back to see what's changed and what's stayed the same.
Wednesday, September 25, 2019
The Masters Putting Green in Southport
A revisit to The Masters Putting Green in Southport.
Last Saturday we had a wonderful day out in Southport and it was brilliant to see so many people playing The Masters Putting Green at King's Gardens.
The Masters Putting Green in Southport was the 150th course we played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've revisited the course in October and November 2016, and January and October 2018.
Playing hole 10 |
Saturday, July 27, 2019
Lost minigolf courses - the Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Exmouth
A look at the Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Exmouth, Devon.
We stayed in Exmouth, Devon for part of our summer holiday in June 2015 so we could visit the Arnold Palmer Putting Course on the seafront.
Sadly the course wasn't open when we swung by in June 2015 |
Unfortunately the course wasn't open on the day we visited and even more unfortunate is the fact that the course is now consigned to history as it was demolished in 2016.
A view of the 10-hole course |
I'm a BIG fan of Arnold Palmer Putting Courses and the Exmouth layout looked superb.
The classic windmill obstacle was on hole 3 at Exmouth |
It was a 10-hole course, with a lucky 11th hole where you could win a free game if you rang the bell with your shot.
Hole 1 |
Hole 2 |
Hole 4 |
Hole 5 |
The Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Exmouth was the 611th course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.
Hole 10 was a waterwheel obstacle |
The venue in Exmouth was also home to a grass Putting course |
The first Arnold Palmer Putting Course in the UK opened in Coventry in 1965 and was part of an Arnold Palmer Driving Range. A course was also located at a Driving Range in Sheffield.
A classic Arnold Palmer Putting Course sign |
Sadly over the years a number of Arnold Palmer Putting Courses in the UK have been closed, abandoned, demolished or converted beyond recognition.
As well as the loss of the Exmouth Arnold Palmer course, the two Arnold Palmer courses in Great Yarmouth have been replaced by one Adventure Golf course. The two courses in Cliftonville, Margate were closed in 2014 and removed shortly after. The course that was once in Folkestone is no longer playable - as it was used to make an art installation on the promenade.
Luckily you can still find playable examples of Arnold Palmer Putting Courses - in varying conditions and some with modifications - in the following locations:
- Bognor Regis - built in 1993
- Broadstairs - built in 1995
- Caister-on-Sea (Haven Holiday Park)
- Canvey Island (9 holes of an 18 hole course remain)
- Cleethorpes
- Filey (Primrose Valley Holiday Park)
- Gorleston-on-Sea
- Hastings
- Mablethorpe (Haven Golden Sands Caravan Holiday Park)
- Mablethorpe (Hooks Island)
- Prestatyn
- Skegness x2 (9 and 18 hole courses)
- Southend-on-Sea (1 of 2 courses remain - the 'East' course) - upgraded
- Southport
- Weston-Super-Mare
- Whitby
A scorecard from the Arnold Palmer Putting Courses in Skegness - this has a wonderful listing of other courses. Some of these still exist, while others have closed |
Lost Arnold Palmer Putting Courses:
- Ayr (Haven Craig Tara Holiday Park, formerly Butlin's)
- Battersea
- Blackpool, Starr Gate
- Bognor Regis (Butlin's)
- Camber Sands - now a Car Park
- Cliftonville, Margate (2 courses)
- Coventry
- Eastbourne
- Exmouth
- Folkestone - now an Art Installation on Beach Huts!
- Goodrington
- Great Yarmouth (2 courses) - turned into Castaway Adventure Golf
- Hornsea Potteries
- Hove
- Ladram Bay
- Leicester
- Manchester
- Minehead (Butlin's)
- Nottingham
- Prestatyn
- Pwhelli (Butlin's)
- Rhyl
- Scarborough
- Sheffield
- South Shields
- Southend-on-Sea ('West' course demolished)
- Tynemouth
- Weymouth
- Whitley Bay
- Withernsea
If you know of any Arnold Palmer Putting Courses missing from the lists above please do get in touch.
Of the 912 courses we've visited since September 2006, 25 have been Arnold Palmer Putting Course locations.
Related blog posts:
- Arnold Palmer Putting Courses in the UK
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Exmouth
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Thursday, July 18, 2019
Benches at Prestatyn Crazy Golf
The Prestatyn Crazy Golf course |
There are some Crazy Golf benches at the course in Prestatyn.
An Arnold Palmer bench |
A Crazy Golf bench |
The Prestatyn Crazy Golf course on Bastion Road is one of our favourite courses to play.
The bench at full capacity during the Holiday on the Buses Weekender Crazy Golf Competition |
Take a look at the bench-related blog posts below and the Park Bench Appreciation Society for more interesting benches.
Related blog posts:
- Bench
- Park Bench Appreciation Society
Links:
- Park Bench Appreciation Society
- Dull Men's Club
Monday, July 15, 2019
Entries open for the 2020 World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings
Entry to the 2020 World Crazy Golf Championships is now open.
Entries to next year's World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings are now open.
Taking place at Hastings Adventure Golf in East Sussex the World Crazy Golf Championships will tee-off on the 5th June 2020.
The reigning, defending and two-time back-to-back World Crazy Golf Champion - Marc 'The Force' Chapman |
All competitors must beat the windmill and watermill as well as negotiate the bends, twists and ramps on the traditional seaside course at Hastings Adventure Golf – the UK’s ‘spiritual home of mini golf’.
The windmill hole at Hastings. One of the 18-holes competitors have to tackle in the World Crazy Golf Championships |
2020 will be the 18th year that Hastings Adventure Golf has hosted the World Crazy Golf Championships.
Competitors can enter the 2020 World Crazy Golf Championships via the Hastings Adventure Golf website.
Monday, July 08, 2019
Pat Regan and Jack Nunn's Putting Green in Broadstairs
A look at postcards of Pat Regan and Jack Nunn's Putting Green in Broadstairs.
Since I first wrote about Pat Regan's Putting Green in Broadstairs, Kent last December I've found two more cards showing the course.
The first postcard I found of Pat Regan's Putting Green in Broadstairs |
The postcard is postally unused, but interestingly is signed by Pat Regan himself |
The postcard I have of Jack Nunn's Putting Green shows the same photo as the Pat Regard cards, albeit slightly larger |
The second copy of the Pat Regan Putting Green postcard is in better condition that the one I bought last year |
This time the card is signed by Pat Regan and certifies that a Mr David Somebody scored a hole-in-one o the 18th hole. It looks to be dated the 6th September 1969 |
The Putting Green in Broadstairs that once bore Pat Regan and Jack Nunn's names was in the same spot that is now Lillyputt Minigolf.
The Lillyputt Minigolf course in Broadstairs is a nice Arnold Palmer Putting Course layout |
We visited and played the Lillyputt Minigolf course back in September 2007. It was the 35th course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've now been to 911 courses.
You can find out more about the course on the Lillyputt Minigolf website. One of the photos in the gallery section shows the area as Jack Nunn's Putting Green.
I still haven't been able to find out anything further about Pat Regan or Jack Nunn or their tenures at the Broadstairs Putting Green. I would guess that they were the course owners. I'd love to know for sure.
Related blog posts:
- Postcard
- Postcards
- Broadstairs