Showing posts with label Event. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Event. Show all posts

Saturday, May 11, 2024

National Windmill Day

Today is National Windmill Day - and National Miniature Golf Day.


The windmill hole on the grass putting miniature golf course at the Palm Bay Café in Cliftonville, Margate back in 2007
The windmill hole on the grass putting miniature golf course at the Palm Bay Café in Cliftonville, Margate back in 2007

As with National Miniature Golf Day, National Windmill Day is celebrated on the second Saturday of May each year.

Playing a windmill hole in Skegness on a previous National Miniature Golf Day
Playing a windmill hole in Skegness on a previous National Miniature Golf Day

Windmills are a familiar sight on minigolf courses around the world. We've played a fair few on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour over the years.

Emily playing a windmill hole at the Rhos Fynach Crazy Golf course on Miniature Golf Day in 2017
Emily playing a windmill hole at the Rhos Fynach Crazy Golf course on Miniature Golf Day in 2017

A Dutch-themed hole at Glo-Golf indoor Crazy Golf at the Riverside Bowl in Andover
A Dutch-themed hole at Glo-Golf indoor Crazy Golf at the Riverside Bowl in Andover

Playing the windmill hole on the Crazy Golf course at Penwith Pitch & Putt in Cornwall
Playing the windmill hole on the Crazy Golf course at Penwith Pitch & Putt in Cornwall 

Happy National Miniature Golf Day

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.


Today is National Miniature Golf Day!

Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf in Skegness on National Miniature Golf Day 2015
Playing the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Skegness on National Miniature Golf Day 2015

Each year there are two Miniature Golf Days - National Miniature Golf Day on the second Saturday in May and Miniature Golf Day on the 21st September.

Wednesday, May 08, 2024

The 2008 Minigolf Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland

A look back at the 2008 Nations Cup of Minigolf in Tampere, Finland.



2008 Nations Cup of Minigolf in Finland

We made our Great Britain team debuts at the 2008 Nations Cup of Minigolf in Tampere, Finland 16 years ago this week. Where has that time gone!

The GB team playing the Beton Concrete Minigolf course in Tampere, Finland
The GB team playing the Beton Concrete Minigolf course in Tampere, Finland during a practice session

In international action on the Eternit Miniature Golf course

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.

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
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

Richard Gottfried's player card at the 2008 Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland

Emily Gottfried's player card at the 2008 Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland

Since the 2008 Nations Cup we've also played for the GB national team in tournaments in Stockholm, Sweden and Hastings, England.

Receiving some tips on the Middle Hill Eternit Miniature Golf hole from Crazy Golf legend Tim 'Ace Man' Davies
Receiving some tips on the Middle Hill Eternit Miniature Golf hole from Crazy Golf legend Tim 'Ace Man' Davies

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 was the 52nd played.

Manse Ratagolf in Tampere, Finland

Saturday, May 04, 2024

One week until National Miniature Golf Day

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.


Next Saturday is National Miniature Golf Day.

Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf in Skegness on National Miniature Golf Day 2015
Playing the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Skegness on National Miniature Golf Day 2015

Each year there are two Miniature Golf Days - National Miniature Golf Day on the second Saturday in May and Miniature Golf Day on the 21st September.

Thursday, April 11, 2024

The Mini Masters miniature golf tournament in Manchester

Looking back at the 'Mini Masters' miniature golf tournament in Manchester.


I won the Mini Masters miniature golf tournament in Manchester back on the 11th April 2009. Time certainly flies!

The 'Mini Masters' minigolf tournament in Manchester
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.

The 'Mini Open' minigolf tournament in Manchester
Lining up a big minigolf win

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

Championship Miniature Golf at the Trafford Golf Centre in Manchester
A long tee-shot over and past several obstacles!

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, Bedfordshire and travelled up for the events.

Championship Miniature Golf at the Trafford Golf Centre in Manchester
Emily putting on the big miniature golf 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. We've played both layouts there.

The location is no longer a Playgolf venue either. It's now known as the Trafford Golf Centre and is home to two 18-hole dinosaur adventure golf courses. I won the Dino Falls Masters Adventure Golf competition there in 2018 too!

Visit the Trafford Golf Centre website for more information.

Saturday, March 30, 2024

Happy National Pencil Day

Today is National Pencil Day.


Minigolf pencils - in a nice adventure golf mug from The Lost World in Hemsby
Minigolf pencils from our travels

Here's a selection of minigolf pencils we've collected over years.

Minigolf pencils

We enjoy visiting courses on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and it's marvellous when we find one that has a branded pencil to score the game with.

Pencils and promotional scratchcards from Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida, USA
Pencils and promotional scratchcards from Congo River Golf in Orlando, Florida, USA

It's a superb bit of minigolf marketing too.

A minigolf pencil from Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA
A minigolf pencil from Christopher Gottfried's Crazy World of Minigolf Tour trip to Magic Carpet Golf in Galveston, Texas, USA

We've seen several minigolf courses switching to virtual scorecards (and scoreboards), and app-based scorecards. Others are using a mixture.

We think, and hope, there's space and a place for all methods of scoring to continue in the game.

Our friend Pat Sheridan from The Putting Penguin minigolf review website (among his many other hats in the game) has contributed quite a few pencils and scorecards to the Crazy Golf Museum that he's picked up on his own minigolf adventures.

One of the most peculiar minigolf pencils we've seen is this one Pat sent a snap of, as it's a real life pencil for a virtual minigolf game!

A pencil from the Walkabout Mini Golf VR game. Photo by Pat Sheridan
A pencil from the Walkabout Mini Golf VR game

If you'd like your minigolf course pencil (or other items of merch and ephemera) displayed and archived in the Crazy Golf Museum please do get in touch.

Just one of the many minigolf pencils in the Crazy Golf Museum - from the Wye Valley Miniatvre Golf course in Symonds Yat West
Just one of the many minigolf pencils in the Crazy Golf Museum - from the Wye Valley Miniatvre Golf course in Symonds Yat West

You can see more miniature golf course pens and pencils on the Crazy Golf Museum website.


A scorecard and pencils from Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf in Orlando, Florida from our friend Shelley Barrett
A scorecard and pencils from Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf in Orlando, Florida, USA from our friend Shelley Barrett

Arnold Palmer Putting Courses Crazy Golf pencils from the course in Prestatyn
Arnold Palmer Putting Courses Crazy Golf pencils from the course in Prestatyn

A pencil from Lumberjax Mini Golf in New Zealand from our friend James Astrop
A pencil from Lumberjax Mini Golf in New Zealand from our friend James Astrop

A pencil from Urban Putt in San Francisco from our friend and minigolf rival (and sometimes team-mate) Kevin Moseley
A pencil from Urban Putt in San Francisco from our friend and minigolf rival (and sometimes team-mate) Kevin Moseley

Doug Fishbone's Leisure Land Golf minigolf pencil
A pencil from Doug Fishbone's Leisure Land Golf

Minigolf pencil from Swing by Golfbaren in Stockholm, Sweden
A minigolf pencil from Swing by Golfbaren in Stockholm, Sweden 

A pencil from Swingers Crazy Golf in London
A pencil from Swingers Crazy Golf in London

A pencil from the CLUB GOLF crazy golf pop-up at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, London
A pencil from the CLUB GOLF crazy golf pop-up at Coal Drops Yard in King's Cross, London. This was the last course I played before the UK went into coronavirus pandemic lockdown / quarantine

A pencil from the Putt 18 indoor putting game - we played a lot of this during the pandemic
A pencil from the Putt 18 indoor putting game - we played a lot of this during the pandemic

Saturday, February 24, 2024

World Crazy Golf Championships 2024

The 2024 World Crazy Golf Championships will be held in Hastings, East Sussex from the 7th to the 9th June.


Entries are open for the 2024 World Crazy Golf Championships at Hastings Adventure Golf.

The major miniature golf tournament will see the main event take place on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June. A juniors event will be held on Saturday 8th June. And a team event will be held on Friday 7th June.

You can find out all the details on the Hastings Adventure Golf website, and the new Facebook Page for the World Crazy Golf Championships.


Richard Gottfried playing in the World Crazy Golf Championships
Richard Gottfried playing in the World Crazy Golf Championships

We both made our debuts in the 2007 edition of the event back when it was known as the Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Championships. It was Emily's first ever miniature golf tournament.

Emily Gottfried playing in the World Crazy Golf Championships
Emily Gottfried playing in the World Crazy Golf Championships

The competition is played on the 18-hole Crazy Golf course at Hastings Seafront. The layout is of the Arnold Palmer Putting Course variety. The course was the 39th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in October 2007.

The World Crazy Golf Championships began in 2003 and has been held at Hastings Adventure Golf every year, except 2020 when the event was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic). The current champion is Adam Kelly who is enjoying his second reign as world champion having also won the 2022 event.

Friday, December 08, 2023

Miniature Golf Days in 2024

Details of National Miniature Golf Day and Miniature Golf Day 2024.


Each year there are two Miniature Golf Days - National Miniature Golf Day on the second Saturday in May and Miniature Golf Day on the 21st September.

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour travels since 2006

In 2024 National Miniature Golf Day will be on Saturday 11th May.

In 2024 Miniature Golf Day will be on Saturday 21st September.

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Today is Miniature Golf Day

Happy Miniature Golf Day.


Snaps from our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Snaps from our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Each year there are two Miniature Golf Days - National Miniature Golf Day on the second Saturday in May and Miniature Golf Day on the 21st September.

Happy Miniature Golf Day 2023

Today is Miniature Golf Day.


Playing The Himalayas - the world's first miniature golf course - at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club in 2012
Playing at The Himalayas on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in 2012. The course is the world's first miniature golf and home to the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club

Each year there are two Miniature Golf Days - National Miniature Golf Day on the second Saturday in May and Miniature Golf Day on the 21st September.

Sunday, September 17, 2023

Miniature Golf Day 2023 is on Thursday 21st September

This Thursday is Miniature Golf Day.


Playing The Himalayas - the world's first miniature golf course - at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club in 2012
Playing The Himalayas - the world's first miniature golf course - at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club in 2012

Each year there are two Miniature Golf Days - National Miniature Golf Day on the second Saturday in May and Miniature Golf Day on the 21st September.

Playing The Himalayas - the world's first miniature golf course - at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club in 2012
Playing The Himalayas - the world's first miniature golf course - at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club in 2012

Monday, July 17, 2023

PIAG Open Championship 2023

The Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open Championship is returning this month.


The PIAG Open tees-off this week, with Paradise Island Adventure Golf courses around the UK offering players the chance to enter the event when they play a round at the course.

The Tiki Hut Trail course at Paradise Island Adventure Golf at the Trafford Centre in Manchester
The Tiki Hut Trail course at Paradise Island Adventure Golf at the Trafford Centre in Manchester

The PIAG Open Championship is taking place across Paradise Island Adventure Golf courses between the 20th and 23rd July.

Paradise Island Adventure Golf have eight venues in England and Scotland.

Find out more on the Paradise Island Adventure Golf website.



Emily Gottfried - PIAG Open Champion in 2019
PIAG Open Champion in 2019

Richard Gottfried - PIAG Open Champion in 2018
PIAG Open Champion in 2018

Visit the Paradise Island Adventure Golf website for more information on the PIAG courses in Glasgow, Livingston, Cheshire Oaks, Manchester, Sheffield, Derby, Rushden Lakes and Plymouth.

Thursday, May 11, 2023

National Miniature Golf Day - Saturday 13th May

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.


Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf in Skegness on National Miniature Golf Day 2015
Playing the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Skegness on National Miniature Golf Day 2015

National Miniature Golf Day is always on the second Saturday in May. In 2023 that will be this Saturday - Saturday 13th May.

The other minigolf day, Miniature Golf Day, is always on the 21st September. In 2023 that will fall on a Thursday.

Monday, January 02, 2023

Mini Golf 'Days' in 2023

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.


There are two 'miniature golf days' each year

National Miniature Golf Day is always on the second Saturday in May. In 2023 that will be Saturday 13th May.

The other minigolf day, Miniature Golf Day, is always on the 21st September. In 2023 that will fall on a Thursday.

And then every Monday is 'Minigolf Monday'. #MinigolfMonday

Thursday, December 29, 2022

Miniature Golf Days in 2023

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year.


Miniature Golf Days in 2023

National Miniature Golf Day is always on the second Saturday in May. In 2023 that will be Saturday 13th May.

The other minigolf day, Miniature Golf Day, is always on the 21st September. In 2023 that will fall on a Thursday.

Monday, October 17, 2022

A Dull Men's Club Event

A report from the COVID-delayed party for Anorak of the Year 2021.


The Sun Trevor pub in Llangollen
The Sun Trevor pub in Llangollen

We attended the first Dull Men's Club in-person event since before the coronavirus pandemic at the COVID-delayed party for the Anorak of the Year Award 2021 at The Sun Trevor pub in Llangollen, Wales on Saturday afternoon.

The Dull Men's Club Calendar for 2022
The Dull Men's Club Calendar for 2022

It was marvellous to meet up with fellow dullsters, including old friends as well as meeting some new characters.

Leland Carlson (Assistant Vice President) and Freddie (Apprentice Dullster) present at the Anorak of the Year awards
Leland Carlson (Assistant Vice President) and Freddie (Apprentice Dullster) present at the Anorak of the Year awards

In recent years the Dull Men's Club has presented an 'Anorak of the Year' award. For 2018 it was presented to Kevin Beresford from Redditch, founder of the Roundabout Appreciation Society. For 2019 to Archie Workman, a drainspotter in Cumbria.

Because of the pandemic no award was given for 2020, instead we won The Dull Men's Club Self-Isolators of the Year Award.

The latest recipient of the Anorak of the Year Award was Rachel Williamson from Rhyl who is a Yarnbomber.

It's always a pleasure getting together at a Dull Men's Club event and the gatherings are anything but boring. Hearing updates from people on their pursuits, interests, hobbies and collections is fun and interesting, and the events always spark conversation and areas of mutual interest - Miniature Golf Day and Telegraph Pole Appreciation Day are both on the 21st September each year for example.

Milk Bottle collector Steve Wheeler has 27,000 milk bottles. Here he holds two new additions to his collection and museum after they were donated by a local farmer
Milk Bottle collector Steve Wheeler has 27,000 milk bottles. Here he holds two new additions to his collection and museum after they were donated by a local farmer

There were a wide-range of dullsters at the event, including milk bottle collectors, park bench appreciators, hill measurers, yarnbombers, roundabout spotters, car park photographers, telegraph pole appreciators, brick collectors, paint inspectors and more.

The Dull Men's Club isn't all about watching paint dry
The Dull Men's Club isn't all about watching paint dry

Find out more on the Dull Men's Club website.

Wednesday, September 21, 2022

Happy Miniature Golf Day

Today is Miniature Golf Day.


Playing The Himalayas - the world's first miniature golf course - at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club in 2012
Playing The Himalayas - the world's first miniature golf course - at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club in 2012

Each year there are two Miniature Golf Days - National Miniature Golf Day on the second Saturday in May and Miniature Golf Day on the 21st September.

Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Miniature Golf Day Eve

Tomorrow is Miniature Golf Day.


Richard Gottfried playing at Putt In The Park Mini Golf at Battersea Park in London, England on Miniature Golf Day 2015. Photo by Emily Gottfried
Putt In The Park Mini Golf at Battersea Park in London, England on Miniature Golf Day 2015

Each year there are two Miniature Golf Days - National Miniature Golf Day on the second Saturday in May and Miniature Golf Day on the 21st September.

Minigolf courses in Great Yarmouth
Tomorrow is also the last day of the Big Mini Golf Tour in Great Yarmouth

Wednesday, September 14, 2022

One week until Miniature Golf Day

This time next week it'll be Miniature Golf Day.


Playing The Himalayas - the world's first miniature golf course - at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club in 2012
Playing The Himalayas - the world's first miniature golf course - at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club in 2012

Each year there are two Miniature Golf Days - National Miniature Golf Day on the second Saturday in May and Miniature Golf Day on the 21st September.

Sunday, August 21, 2022

One month until Miniature Golf Day

One month until Miniature Golf Day 2022!


Will you be celebrating the game on the 21st September?

Playing The Himalayas course at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club in 2012
Playing The Himalayas - the world's first miniature golf course - at the St Andrews Ladies' Putting Club in 2012

There are two 'miniature golf days' each year and Miniature Golf Day is always on the 21st September.

The other minigolf day is National Miniature Golf Day. That is always on the second Saturday in May. In 2023 that will be Saturday the 13th.