Showing posts with label Hertfordshire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hertfordshire. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Pirate Mini Golf at the Galleria Shopping Centre in Hatfield

Visiting the Pirate Adventure Golf course at the Galleria in Hatfield.

Pirate Mini Golf at the Galleria Shopping Centre in Hatfield
A view of the Pirate Mini Golf course from the gallery at the Galleria

On Tuesday 19 May I headed over to Hatfield, Hertfordshire to meet up with my old mate and Dodgeball rival 'Rowdy' Russell Fenner for a game of minigolf on the Pirate Adventure Golf course at the Galleria Outlet Shopping Centre.

Pirate Mini Golf at the Galleria Shopping Centre in Hatfield
There's a HUGE octopus/kraken on the minigolf course

Unfortunately the course was closed. We'd planned to have a round after work at 6pm, but the course was closed from 5.30pm.

Pirate Mini Golf at the Galleria Shopping Centre in Hatfield
Visiting the 599th course on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

It had been open when I first arrived. While the Galleria is open from 10am to 8pm on weekdays, the Pirate Adventure Golf course is only open 10am to 6pm Monday to Saturday, and 11am to 5pm on Sundays. Looking on the website it does state that the last entry is 30 minutes before closing.

Pirate Mini Golf at the Galleria Shopping Centre in Hatfield
There's a big shark on the course

The swimming shark on the Galleria's minigolf course!

The result of our contest was put down as a no-score draw.

Pirate Mini Golf at the Galleria Shopping Centre in Hatfield
Me and Rowdy Russell were unable to have a minigolf battle on the course

Pirate Mini Golf at the Galleria Shopping Centre in Hatfield
So no pirate treasure went to the winner

Pirate Mini Golf at the Galleria Shopping Centre in Hatfield
And the loser wasn't fed to the sharks
  
Pirate Mini Golf at the Galleria Shopping Centre in Hatfield
The course itself is an 'Eternit' type of miniature golf, with a felt surface

For more information on the Pirate Adventure Golf course and the Galleria shopping centre check out the links below.

The course was the 599th visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since September 2006.

In June 2014 we played a similar layout from the same group when the course was 12-holes.

Related blog posts:
- Indoor Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf courses
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Course visit #560, course played #336
- Sharks
- Eternit

Links:
- Pirate Mini Golf website
- The Galleria Outlet Shopping centre website

Saturday, December 21, 2013

Visiting the new Crazy Golf course at Verulamium Park in St Albans

Miniature Golf course visit number 543 on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

On a very rainy Saturday afternoon Emily and I made the latest course visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour as we visited the Crazy Golf course in Verulamium Park, St Albans.

The park was the location for the 17th course ever played on the Tour, way back in April 2007. I also revisited in November 2010 and noticed a couple of changes to the Minigolf.

Since that last visit the old course has been replaced by a new course. The new layout is still a 9-hole course and of the same fibreglass construction, but each of the holes is in the shape of a letter in the words "Crazy Golf".










Unfortunately that great Minigolf character 'Humpty' is now missing from the course :-(

The Verulamium Park Crazy Golf was the first we've been to that uses this particular layout. Although down the road in nearby Hemel Hempstead there is a Minigolf course at Gadebridge Park where each of the holes is in the shape of its number!

Related blog posts:

Links:

Friday, October 18, 2013

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 1st 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:
- Liezl ‘The Big Easy’ Van Zyl (RSA)
- Lucy ‘Whacker’ Wallace (GBR)
-  James 'Big Jim/Lucky Jim/Flukester/Not Amy' Specker (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 12th 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 17th 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:

Links:
A1 Golf Centre

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Sunday, January 06, 2013

Caption the Photo...

...a long time ago in Minigolf.

Me and Christopher Gottfried at TopGolf Watford's Adventure Golf course in April 2007!


The 18-hole Adventure Golf course at TopGolf Watford was the eighth (of the 523 courses) we've visited to-date and we first played there in December 2006!

Related Blog Posts:
- Watford
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Monday, March 26, 2012

Jigfest 2012!

Action from the 2012 Jigsaw Puzzle Extravaganza in Abbots Langley.




On Saturday Emily and I headed to Abbots Langley in Hertfordshire to attend Jigfest 2012!

Emily outside Jigfest 2012 at Abbots Langley Community Centre

We had spotted the event in a news story in the Watford Observer and decided to check it out. The admission was £1 and included a cup of tea – I required very little persuading with an offer of free tea!

Even though Emily is a card carrying member (Bronze level) of The Official UK Puzzle Club we had never been to a ‘Jigfest’ before. Handily the organisers had information on each of the tables with details of what to do.

The 'rules' of Jigfest!

Emily peruses the puzzles

I enjoyed my free cup of tea and the chance to ‘play’ a Where’s Wally? jigsaw puzzle. I managed to find Wally, who had been very sneakily hidden. I couldn’t find Wizard Whitebeard though.

I play the Where's Wally? jigsaw puzzle

We didn't miss looking in this corner!!

Me and my cup of tea

The annual Jigfest extravaganza is held to raise funds for the upkeep of the Abbots Langley Community Centre. Jigfest is sponsored by M.K. Ginder & Sons Funeral Directors.

A Where's Wally? jigsaw puzzle

It was also nice to have a wander around Abbots Langley in the lovely sunny weather. Even though we live just down the road in Luton we've never been there before.

Links:
- Abbots Langley Community Centre - Jigfest Host Venue

Related News Stories:

Related Blog Posts:

Monday, February 13, 2012

Bar Billiards in Baldock & Knebworth

Playing Bar Billiards at two pubs in Hertfordshire.

On Saturday 11th February 2012 me and two friends visited a couple of pubs in Hertfordshire for a few games of Bar Billiards.

Having rung round the pubs in Herts & Beds that are listed on the AEBBA map of Bar Billiards tables earlier in the day I had found out that The Red Lion in Studham, Beds no longer has a table. Nor does the Bedford Arms in Hitchin, having changed to a standard Pool table. We'd also found The Bucks Head pub in Little Wymondley has also removed their Bar Billiards table, but does offer free Dominoes, Cards and Cribbage to customers.

I did find that The Chequers Inn at Knebworth still had a table and I'd heard via twitter that The Orange Tree in Baldock also had one, so off we headed.

Bar Billiards in Baldock & Knebworth
The Bar Billiards table at The Orange Tree in Baldock
First up was a visit to The Orange Tree, where we spotted the table positioned in the 'public bar', quite nicely near to a real log fire to keep punters and players warm. After a quick run through of the rules I took on Simon in a game.

Bar Billiards in Baldock & Knebworth
The Orange Tree Bar Billiards Rules
To decide who would break we played a hand of Rock Paper Scissors. I lost.

Bar Billiards in Baldock & Knebworth
Simon 'Practice' Hall takes a shot
Simon may have won the break, but when the match came to the closing stages the score was 800 to nil, with Simon having wiped out his score by knocking down the dreaded black peg! He did however manage to score 200 points by sinking the last white ball to make the result 800-200.

Bar Billiards in Baldock & Knebworth
Lining up a shot

As the table at The Orange Tree was positioned against a wall/under a window it was only possible to play shots at the 200 & 100 holes from the left hand side of the table. Not a major obstacle really. I did like the fact that there were three sizes of cue available to use. As the pub was busy and there was a door behind the baulk line end I opted to use the 'baby' cue which was only about two and a half foot long.

Having had two games at The Orange Tree we decided to head over to Knebworth and The Chequers Inn for a game or two.

When I had phoned ahead earlier in the day the man at the pub had confirmed they still had a table and said that the baize on it had been relaid. The table did look and play nicely indeed, with the balls rolling very smoothly indeed. But unfortunately in the second game a lot of the balls kept getting 'stuck' in the pockets after being potted!? This meant for much of our second 'three-way-dance' match we were not playing with a full deck!

Simon picked up wins at The Chequers Inn. Both games once again went to a shootout on the 200 hole.

Interestingly the table at The Chequers Inn had a different layout to the table in The Orange Tree and was also different to the only other table I'd actually played, at The Strathmore Arms in St Paul's Walden. Both of those tables had three obstacles (one with 'mushrooms' the other with 'pegs'), but the table at The Chequers Inn had four mushrooms, with one guarding the 200 hole, one at the 100 hole (which was not marked as a scoring hole) and the other two were in front of each of the 50 holes. It certainly made the table a lot harder to score points on. The positioning of the table at The Chequers Inn also meant that shots at the 200 hole in the last ball shootout could only be made from the right hand side of the table.

Bar Billiards in Baldock & Knebworth
The Bar Billiards table at The Chequers Inn at Knebworth - this one had four spots and four 'mushrooms'! Shooting for the 50s was very difficult

There was a nice old rules sheet/poster on display next to the table at The Chequers Inn. it was originally revised in 1973 and reprinted in 1976 and described "The Game of Bar Billiards - sometimes called Russian Bagatelle, Skittle Billiards or Snookerette etc."

This rule sheet had the rules laid out for playing the game using the 'first arrangement' and 'second arrangement' and it was this second type of rules the table had been set up for, with the previously mentioned four peg/skittle marks. There was also a good section on the sheet on 'How to Promote Interest' in the game.

Bar Billiards in Baldock & Knebworth
The nice old Bar Billiards rule sheet at The Chequers Inn

An enjoyable day out at two different pubs, playing a fun and very tricky game. On an incredibly cold day it was nice to be in two very warm pubs.

Related Blog Posts:
- Another new game played – Bar Billiards
- Snow causes blog post in Guildford

Link:
- The All England Bar Billiards Association
- The AEBBA Rules of Bar Billiards

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Gottfried vs. Hinton - Healthy Minigolf Competition at Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf

July 29th 2011 saw the beginning of a new minigolf competition series, with players from JML competing against each other for inter-office glory.

Emily “Coach” Gottfried is well-known within the walls of JML’s London HQ for her exploits and achievements in both the Irregular Minigolf Tour with “Squire” Richard Gottfried, and the BMGA Tour where she has competed in a number of Professional Miniature Golf events all over the UK. And a few brave, daring souls have often laid down the gauntlet and challenged Emily to a game of minigolf or two...


So on July 29th, the talking was over and Luton’s Emily Gottfried headed to the new Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf at the A1 Golf Driving Range in Arkley with Stevenage’s Simon Hinton to put the grand-standing to an end.

Whilst being a “big golf” player, Simon regularly talked up his short-game, however on arrival at the course, nerves seemed to take hold, and even a quick cigarette couldn’t dampen the nerves as both players approached the first hole.

This first match-up took place post-work on a beautiful July summers evening, and it proved to be the perfect setting for Emily to prove her minigolfing ability, when she bested Simon 42 to 45 on stroke play, and 2-up on matchplay.

Simon said after his defeat “It was a true pleasure to be able to demonstrate to Emily the finer details of my grip, the precision involved in the setting of the hips in my stance, and the pendulum effect of my in-out-in putting path.”

Hinton added “I know that Emily was extremely pleased as she now knows how not to putt like a complete t**t, and this will hold her in excellent stead in future competitions and the inevitable world rankings. And frankly, it’s all thanks to me.”

Emily said “I enjoyed the game immensely, and as I always knew I would win, it wasn’t much of a surprise, but it was very welcome all the same. Simon does have a certain finesse with a putter, and could definitely be a contender, if he honed his skills in certain areas. He suffered a five out there today, but he can work on that and take me on again in the future. However, having seen Simon’s recent comments, I can see that it will take another few defeats at my hand before he can accept defeat gracefully”.

Following on from these self-aggrandising comments Emily “Coach” Gottfried agreed to a re-match, which took place on August 9th.

In this second match Emily again beat Simon, 40 to 41. The victory was by a smaller margin, but improvements were made by both players, including aces by Emily on the 1st and by Simon on the 14th. The match ended all-square on matchplay. At this point, Simon grudgingly acknowledged that some of Emily’s guidance had helped his game and a second-round was played.

This round showed much improvement again, and with Simon following Emily’s coaching tips he managed to win 38 to Emily’s 41. This included another ace on the 14th for Simon - making it his favourite hole. Simon also won matchplay 2-up.

After the two-rounds were over Simon said “An under par round (course par is 40) equalling the course record came as absolutely no surprise to me. This is testament to my determination, focus, skill and on-course imagination. Oh – and Coach helped a bit too”.

Coach said: “I won the first round and lost the second, but I feel that I can take some credit in Simon’s victory. I saw his potential and some handy advice helped him to his win”.

The JML Irregular tour will hopefully continue later in the year with at least three more colleagues lined up to compete.

Link - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour visit to the Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course

Like the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour on Facebook, check out our YouTube channel and follow me and Emily on Twitter.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course Played at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire

Another new Miniature Golf course played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour!

Last month while on an On The Buses Event around Elstree & Borehamwood me, Emily and Brad Shepherd spotted the building of a new Adventure Golf course in Arkley, Hertfordshire. Today, a group of us headed there to have a game. It became the 262nd course played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire

The course is an 18-hole 'Dinosaur Safari' Adventure Golf and features a variety of holes, with hills, ramps, plateaus, rocks and water hazards.

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire

There are also a number of Dinosaurs around the course. None of them gave us any problems though.

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire

To enter the course and meet the 'Live Dinosaurs' you have to enter through a Time Travel 'Device'!

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire

A sound piece of advice on this sign!

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire

To mark our visit we held a Minigolf Competition to crown the Arkley Dinosaur Safari Golf Classic Champion.

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire

Four players teed-off in the event with me and Emily teaming up to take on my Minigolf (and BIG Golf) rival Jon 'El Pato' Angel and his partner Cheryl 'Shuffler' Joseph.

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire

In the Individual Event I defeated Jon by one shot, scoring a 41(+5). Emily and Cheryl tied for third place with scores of 49(+13).

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire

In the Doubles Event Emily and I defeated Jon and Cheryl by one-shot - 90 vs. 91.

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire

In the Doubles Matchplay Emily and I won 1-up.

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire

In the Boys Against Girls Match Jon and I won 83-98.

Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf Course at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Hertfordshire

After the Adventure Golf we also had a go on the Driving Range, a warm-up of sorts for our yet to be completed 'Best of 5 Pro Spirit Challenge Tour' Competition!

Video introduction of the course visit with a 'special' guest appearance by Jon 'El Pato' Angel.


Previous Blog Post About The Course - New Dinosaur Safari Adventure Golf opening at the A1 Driving Range in Arkley, Herts (near Elstree & Borehamwood)

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