Aces Minigolf Gloucester at Dobbies Garden Centre

A visit to the new Aces Minigolf course at Dobbies Garden Centre in Gloucester.

Our friend, long-time minigolf rival and often time team-mate Seve Kukielka has created Aces Minigolf Gloucester - a superb 12-hole miniature golf layout at Dobbies Garden Centre in Gloucester.

We visited the course on Sunday to play a few rounds and compete in the Aces Minigolf Gloucester Invitational Tournament.

The event was the first minigolf competition we've played in since 2019 and it was fun to be back in action.

The course is a nice, tricky layout with interesting and unique hole designs, all within a very pleasant setting.

Aces Minigolf Gloucester was the 967th course visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and the 550th played since September 2006.

Aces Minigolf Gloucester opens to the public on Friday 9th July.

Check out the Aces Minigolf Gloucester Facebook Page for more information, opening times and prices.

We're looking forward to many more visits to the excellent course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in the future.

Competitions at Aces Minigolf Gloucester

Two tournaments to tee-off at Aces Minigolf Gloucester.

The new Aces Minigolf course at Dobbies Garden Centre in Gloucester is gearing up for the full opening by hosting two minigolf competitions on Sunday 4th July.

First up is an Amateur Championship with a great prize up for grabs to the winner.

This will be followed by the Aces Minigolf Gloucester Invitational Championship with some of the best minigolfers in the country invited to compete on the course.

Aces Minigolf Gloucester will be opening fully to the public on Friday 9th July.

Check out the Aces Minigolf Gloucester Facebook Page for more information.

We're really looking forward to having a game on the new 12-hole layout on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The Minigolf Nations Cup 2008

We made our Great Britain team debuts at the 2008 Nations Cup of Minigolf in Tampere, Finland thirteen years ago today!

Our Great Britain Minigolf team, sponsored by UrbanCrazy, finished the tournament in 13th place. In the individual rankings I finished in 51st place and Emily was 53rd.

In action at the Minigolf Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland

The 2008 Great Britain squad - Jouni Valkjarvi (coach), John 'Big Top Ted' McIver, Marion 'Mation' Homer, Sean 'Freebird' Homer, Tim 'Ace Man' Davies, Steve 'F1' Gow, Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, Andy 'Sarge' Booth, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried

We've also played for the Great Britain national team in World Minigolf Sport Federation and European Minigolf Sport Federation tournaments in Stockholm, Sweden and Hastings, England.

The Beton Concrete Mini Golf course at the Manse RG Club in Tampere was the 50th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. The Eternit Miniature Golf course was the 51st and the Swedish Felt Minigolf course there was the 52nd played. We've now been to 958 courses since 2006.

Final results from the Putt18 World Pro League 2021

Play has concluded in the 2021 Putt18 World Pro League and the results are in.

The 2021 Putt18 World Pro League was won by Matt Ansley (NZL) with a total of 805 points from seven events (28 rounds and 504 holes). Matt successfully defended the title having won the inaugural event last year.

Dave Gomm (GBR) was the runner-up on 761 points.

Josh Mars (AUS) finished in third place with 675 points.

Others in the prize money were John Ansley (NZL) and Cameron Couper (NZL) in 4th and 5th places. Glenn Palmer scored the lowest round (59) from players outside the top 5 to pick up that prize.

A total of 21 players teed-off in the seven event series back in January. Competitors hailed from Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the USA.

I completed the Putt18 World Pro League in 16th place with 109 points. I was 15th place in the strokeplay leader-board on 2,150 shots and an average of 76.79 per round of 18 holes.

International pro putting. From my kitchen

Putt18

Playing in the league has been a fun and interesting way to compete with fellow minigolfers, golfers and novices in a new golfing format during the pandemic and the various lockdowns we've found ourselves in.

We first received the Putt18 golf game home competition putting mat from Australia last May - where has that time gone?

Competitive Putt18

The first tournament we played on it was the Putt18 4 Nations Cup the day after we got it!

I then entered the 2020 Putt18 World Pro League and finished in 18th place of 20 players with 107 points. I finished in 17th place of 20 players in the strokeplay rankings with 2,189 shots and an average of 78.18 per round of 18 holes.

In the Pro League each player had a 20-minute time limit to play four 18-hole rounds for a 72-hole total score in each of the seven events of the Pro League. There were additional points on offer for low scores and the round total.

In January I played in the first Putt18 Battle of the Brits putting tournament - and won it with a total of 281 strokes over 72-holes - a new personal best four round total. My fourth round of 67 was also a personal best.

Check out the Putt18 website for more information.

Putt18 World Pro League 2021 - Week 7 - Final

I'll be teeing-off in week seven of the Putt18 World Pro League at 6pm on Saturday 17th April.

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

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.

Visit the Putt18 website for more information.

The 'Mini Masters' in Manchester

A look back at the 'Mini Masters' minigolf tournament in Manchester.

I won the 'Mini Masters' minigolf competition in Manchester back on the 11th April 2009. Time certainly flies!

Mini Master

The 'Mini Masters' was the first of two tournaments I won on the 9-hole Championship Miniature Golf course at what was then Playgolf Manchester. The second event being the 'Miniature Open' in July 2009.

Putting in the Mini Open

I won the Mini Masters with a three round total of 81 (-24) after scoring 26, 27, and 28.

In second place with a score of 86 (-19) was the then current BMGA British Number One Chris Harding. Paul Johnson was third with 87 (-18).

One of the very long minigolf holes on the course

The course was the 84th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. Back then the course wasn't one of our local layouts as we still lived in Luton and travelled up for the events.

A large water hazard on the course!

The Championship Miniature Golf course is no longer at the centre, but you can find an expanded Championship Miniature Golf layout with two 18-hole courses in New Brighton. The centre is no longer a Playgolf venue either. It's now known as the Trafford Golf Centre and is also home to two 18-hole dinosaur adventure golf courses. I won the Dino Falls Masters Adventure Golf competition there in 2018 too!

Link:

• Richard Gottfried's minigolf player profile

Putt18 World Pro League 2021 - Week 6 Scores

Update from week 6 of the Putt18 World Pro League 2021.

I played my latest rounds in the 2021 Putt18 World Pro League on Saturday evening and shot scores of 79, 81, 77 and 80 for a total of 317.

There is one week and four rounds left to play in the first Putt18 World Pro League of 2021. My next rounds will be at 6pm on Saturday 17th April.

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.

Visit the Putt18 website for more information.

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.

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.

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

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.

City Golf Tour in Sweden

A new minigolf tournament circuit has been announced in Sweden.

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).

In the cup at Guildford

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

On my way to victory and with the superb trophy at the Pleasure Beach Open

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Putt18 World Pro League Week 5 - Results

I scored rounds of 79, 74, 71 and 75 for a total of 299 in week 5 of 7 in the Putt18 World Pro League.

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

As well as the usual individual rounds, week 5 has included a fun team event with groups selected in a draw. It'll be interesting to see where our bunch of Putting Wonders has finished.

I'll be playing my next games in the league at 6pm on Saturday 3rd April and my final four rounds of the season at 6pm on Saturday 17th April.

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.

Week 5 of the Putt18 World Pro League 2021

I'll be teeing-off in week five of the Putt18 World Pro League at 6pm tonight (Saturday 20th March).

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

Putt18 World Pro League 2021 - Week 5

I'll be teeing-off in week five of the Putt18 World Pro League at 6pm on Saturday 20th March.

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

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.

Visit the Putt18 website for more information.

Winning a Selco Darts Competition

I enjoy playing darts and have been playing a lot of soft-tip darts at home during the pandemic. Earlier this year I won a darts competition run by PDC sponsor Selco - and I didn't even have to throw a dart!

A darts shirt of character!

It's a great shirt and I might have to wear it the next time I get the chance to play a pro darts player in the outside world.

Related blog posts:

- Darts

- Darts vs Nathan 'The Asp' Aspinall in Stockport

- Darts vs 'The Bronzed Adonis' Steve Beaton in Barrow-in-Furness

Winning at the Digital City Expo

I attended my last 'real world' physical event at the Marketing Show North at the Digital City Expo at Manchester Central a year ago today.

What a difference a year has made.

One of the exhibitors, Acquia, had a darts game set up to attract visitors and I had a few throws and ended up winning the top prize with a 'Bullseye-esque' score of 101 with three darts!

The last three darts I threw in the outside world. I've been playing a lot of soft-tip darts at home during the lockdowns

It'll be interesting to see when the next events will be able to take place and what they'll look like. I have a few pencilled in my diary for 2022 already.

Putt18 World Pro League Results - Season Two, Week Four

Results from week four of the Putt18 World Pro League.

I teed-off in week four of the Putt18 World Pro League on Saturday evening and shot rounds of 76, 79, 82 and 72 for a total of 309 and 13 points.

I'm currently in 14th place of 21 players with a points total of 62.

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

Matt Ansley (NZL), Dave Gomm (GBR) and John Ansley (NZL) are at the top of the league table.

I'm in 15th place of 21 players on the strokeplay leaderboard.

Putt18 World Pro League

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.

Visit the Putt18 website for more information.

Teeing-off in week 4 of the Putt18 World Pro League

I'll be playing my next rounds in the Putt18 World Pro League this Saturday, 6th March at 6pm. You can watch my rounds on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Facebook Page.

I'm currently ranked in 13th place of 21 players with a total of 49 points from the three events so far this season.

Matt Ansley of New Zealand is the league leader, with Dave Gomm of GB in second place. John Ansley, NZ is in third spot.

In the individual strokeplay table I'm in 14th place with a total of 924 shots.

Putt18 World Pro League Results - Season Two, Week Three

I teed-off in week three of the Putt18 World Pro League on Saturday evening.

I shot rounds of 75, 72, 75 and 76 for a total of 298.

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

Putt18 World Pro League

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.

Putt18 World Pro League - Season Two, Week Three

I'll be teeing-off in week three of the Putt18 World Pro League at 6pm on Saturday 20th February.

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

Putt18 World Pro League

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.

I am currently in 13th place on 24 points and in 15th place in the strokeplay standings.

Visit the Putt18 website for more information.