Showing posts with label Midlands Minigolf Club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Midlands Minigolf Club. Show all posts

Friday, July 31, 2020

In the Crazy Golf Museum - minigolf membership cards

A look at minigolf association and club membership cards in the UK.


As a collector of minigolf items and ephemera and Curator of the Crazy Golf Museum it's always nice to look back at things we've picked up along the way during our minigolf adventures.

British Minigolf Association

I joined the British Minigolf Association in 2007 and received my first BMGA membership card entitling me to discount at certain courses and entry into BMGA competitions.

British Minigolf Association membership card 2007
British Minigolf Association membership card 2007

Here are my BMGA Tour Cards from 2008-2015.

British Minigolf Association membership cards 2008-2015
British Minigolf Association membership cards 2008-2015

Midlands Minigolf Club

In 2007 I was invited to become a member of the Midlands Minigolf Club and am a member of the club to this day. While we don't have an official membership card the club does have an official Ball of Fame to commemorate the second BMGA British Club Championship title we won in 2015. The MMGC is now a three-time national title winning team.

Midlands Minigolf Club Ball of Fame
The Midlands Minigolf Club Ball of Fame

Green Mini Golf Club

During the 2010 and 2011 seasons I was also a member of the Green Mini Golf Club in Hither Green, London. The GMGC was a superb club and the venue was home to the UK's only full-size Swedish Felt Mini Golf course. The GMGC held weekly Tuesday night tournaments and I enjoyed travelling from Luton to Hither Green and back after work each week to compete. I won the club's first-ever weekly tournament in 2010.

The Green Mini Golf Club membership card
The Green Mini Golf Club membership card

European Minigolf Sport Federation and World Minigolf Sport Federation

I have competed in European Minigolf Sport Federation and World Minigolf Sport Federation competitions in Finland, England and Sweden and although a WMF player license is allocated to players a physical document is not issued. We did however have some very nice player cards created for us at the 2008 EMF Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland.

Richard Gottfried at the 2008 Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland
At the 2008 Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland

Are you a member of a minigolf club or association? I'd love to see and share more examples of membership cards from around the world.

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.


A five-time winner on the UK national minigolf circuit, including two BMGA British Club Championships, he has been a four-time finalist in the World Crazy Golf Championships, and has represented Great Britain in Nations Cup international tournaments in Finland and Sweden.

He was runner-up in American Golf's Adventure Golf Pairs Championship National Final, televised on Sky Sports, and is a winner of several independent Open and Masters titles.

As a global miniature golfer, Richard is currently a member of the American Mini Golf Alliance (AMA) and Putt18 World Pro League. A winner of  The Putt Park Annual Mini-Golf Tournament in Las Vegas, he has also been a member of domestic minigolf clubs including the Midlands Mini Golf Club (MMGC), the Green Mini Golf Club (GMGC), and the Filwood Fantastic Mini Golf Club.

Richard is featured in the 2024 Guinness World Records as the record holder for "Most miniature golf courses visited" (902 at the time of going to press).

His minigolfing exploits have received coverage in online, broadcast and print media including the BBC, ITV, Sky Sports, Channel 5, The Guardian, The Independent, The Daily Telegraph, Metro, The Mirror, The Sun, The Star, The Daily Mail, the Manchester Evening News, Eastern Daily Press, Today's Golfer, GolfPunk Magazine, InterGame, InterFun, In A Pub Magazine, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC local and regional radio, Heart Radio, talkSPORT, and more.

Richard's involvement in the world of minigolf extends beyond competitions, and includes blogging, media relations, sponsorship, course design, advice and consultancy, content generation, digital marketing and new technology, event organisation and promotion.

Champion minigolfer Richard Gottfried

Miniature Golf Player Profile - Richard Gottfried


Nickname
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
Putt18 World Pro League 2020-present
British Minigolf Association (BMGA) 2007-2018
American Golf Championship Tour 2017

British Minigolf Association (BMGA) Membership
Member 2016-2018
BMGA Tour Pro 2011-2015
Full member 2007-2010

BMGA Tour Debut
2007 - BMGA British Masters

Minigolf Club Membership
2020-2024 - Filwood Fantastic Mini Golf Club
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
Weymouth Open 2008
BMGA British Club Championships (w/ Midlands MGC) 2008

Richard Gottfried - Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open Champion 2018
Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open Champion 2018

Other Notable Wins
Winner - Putt18 Battle of the Brits 2021
Winner - Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open Championships 2018
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
Winner (w/ M. Smith & J. Davies) - Kent Open Team Tournament 2010
Aces Champion - Midland Open 2010
Five-time Scrap Iron Cup Champion

Other Notable Results
Runner-up (w/ S. Kukielka) - Welsh Mini Golf Club Doubles Championship 2019
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 - Midlands Invitational Tournament 2010
Runner-up (w/ Leo Kukielka) - Codonas Classic 2010
Runner-up - Spring Classic 2010
Runner-up - Weymouth Open 2009
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
3rd (w/ John Moore & Ed Odametey) BMGA Oswestry Games Pro-Am Minigolf Classic 2012
3rd (w/ Kevin Moseley) - BMGA British Doubles Championships 2010
3rd - Midlands Invitational Tournament 2008
4th (w/ B. Shepherd, E. Gottfried & J. Trubridge) - Caddyshackers Open 2019
4th - BMGA British Masters 2013
4th - Midlands Open 2010
4th - London Invitational Tournament 2010
4th - BMGA English Open 2008
4th - Midlands Invitational Tournament 2007
5th - BMGA Players Championships 2007
7th - BMGA British Minigolf Championships 2012
9th - BMGA British Masters 2011
10th - BMGA British Adventure Golf Open 2013

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
Richard Gottfried playing hole 2 in the 2014 World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings

International Tournaments
16th - Putt18 World Pro League 2021
18th - Putt18 World Pro League 2020
4th - Putt18 4 Nations Cup 2020
20th - World Crazy Golf Championships 2015
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 2009
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 Season Only Ranking - 5th - 15/07/2012 - 23/09/2012 & 14/10/2012 - 11/11/2012 (End of Season)
BMGA Order of Merit Ranking - 7th - 04/07/2010 - 19/09/2010
BMGA Matchplay Order of Merit Rankings - 9th - 25/04/2012 - 22/07/2012

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
October 2009 - 31st
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 2010 - 358th
November 2009 - 418th
March 2009 - 352nd
November 2008 - 425th

Sports and Minigolf Awards
Guinness World Record Holder for "Most miniature golf courses visited" 2024
Named 'The nation's 'craziest' putting couple' w/ Emily Gottfried by Today's Golfer magazine, March 2021
Named 'UK's Biggest Adventure Golf Enthusiasts' w/ Emily Gottfried by ITV Granada Reports, 2017
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
2013 Great Britain Minigolf Sport Squad Member
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
Richard Gottfried teeing-off in the final of the 2009 'Castle Golf' World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings

Give the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour a Like on Facebook, watch our YouTube channel and follow Richard on Twitter. You can also now sign-up to receive our miniature golf newsletter.

Sunday, March 01, 2020

Emily Gottfried - Minigolf Player Profile

Miniature Golf Player Profile for Emily Gottfried

Emily Gottfried - 2011 WMF World Adventure Golf Masters Women's Champion

Nickname(s)
Lemony
Coach
M

Putter
Fun-Sports

Laterality
Right-handed

Favourite Minigolf Balls
Noppel 1 (3D)
Nations Cup 2008 (3D)

British Minigolf Association (BMGA) Membership
Member 2016, 2017
BMGA Tour Pro 2011-2015
Full member 2008-2010

Minigolf Club Membership
2020 - present - Filwood Fantastic Mini Golf Club
2014-present - Cambridgeshire & Essex Minigolf Club (CEMGC)
2011-2014 - Cambridgeshire Mini Golf Club (CMGC)
2007-2011 - Midlands Minigolf Club (MMGC)

BMGA Tour Debut
2007 - Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Championships

Top Tournament Results
Winner - Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open Championships 2019
1st - CEMGC Invitational Tournament 2014
1st - Holiday on the Buses Crazy Golf Championship 2014
1st - Category 3 BMGA British Masters 2014
1st - WMF World Adventure Golf Masters Women's Championship 2013
1st - WMF World Adventure Golf Masters Women's Championship 2011
1st - Category 3 BMGA British Masters 2013
Winner - Category 3 Aces Championship BMGA Star City Open 2014
Runner-up - Category 3 BMGA British Crazy Golf Open 2013
Runner-up - Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open 2012
Runner-up - The Putt Park Annual Mini-Golf Tournament (Las Vegas) - 2011
Runner-up (w/ Chris Smith) - Weymouth Open Team Tournament - 2011
Runner-up - Manchester Miniature Open 2009
Runner-up (w/ Ruth Burke & Christian Urbano) BMGA Oswestry Games Pro-Am Minigolf Classic 2012
3rd - Surrey Invitational Tournament 2014 & 2016
3rd - National Miniature Golf Day Tournament 2016
3rd (w/ Cambridgeshire & Essex Mini Golf Club) - BMGA British Club Championships 2015
3rd - Category 2 BMGA English Open 2014
3rd - BMGA British Women's Minigolf Championships 2014
3rd - BMGA British Matchplay Championships 2013
3rd (tied) - Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship August Playoff - Final - 2012
3rd (w/ Brad Shepherd) - Lost World Classic 2010
3rd - BMGA British Women's Minigolf Championships 2009
3rd - BMGA British Women's Minigolf Championships 2008
4th (w/ B. Shepherd, R. Gottfried & J. Trubridge) - Caddyshackers Open 2019
4th (w/ Cambridgeshire Mini Golf Club) - BMGA British Club Championships 2012
4th (with Cindy Kukielka) - BMGA British Doubles Championships 2010
6th - Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open 2011
7th - Midlands Open 2011
7th - Midlands Invitational Tournament 2009
7th - Blackpool Pleasure Beach Open 2009
7th - Blackpool Pleasure Beach Open 2008
8th - London Open 2009
9th - BMGA English Open 2014

Emily Gottfried and The Gommery Trophy at the 2014 World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings
Emily and The Gommery Trophy at the 2014 World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings

International Tournaments
Putt18 4 Nations Cup 2020
Winner - 'The Gommery' Aces Title at the World Crazy Golf Championships 2014 & 2015
34th - World Crazy Golf Championships 2015
26th (tied) - World Crazy Golf Championships 2014
4th - Castle Golf Women's World Crazy Golf Championships 2013
51st - Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships 2013
1st - WMF World Adventure Golf Masters Women's Championship 2013
5th - Great Britain Team at the WMF World Adventure Golf Masters 2013
27th - WMF World Adventure Golf Masters 2013
2nd - WMF World Adventure Golf Masters Women's Championship 2012
4th - Great Britain Team at the WMF World Adventure Golf Masters 2012
17th - WMF World Adventure Golf Masters 2012
5th - Castle Golf Women's World Crazy Golf Championships 2011
51st - Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships 2011
1st - WMF World Adventure Golf Masters Women's Championship 2011
24th WMF World Adventure Golf Masters 2011
10th - Great Britain Player at the WMF Nations Cup (Female Category), Stockholm, Sweden 2011
10th - Great Britain Team at the WMF Nations Cup, Stockholm, Sweden 2011
45th - Great Britain Player at the WMF Nations Cup, Stockholm, Sweden 2011
5th - Castle Golf Women's World Crazy Golf Championships 2009
45th - Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships 2009
3rd - Castle Golf Women's World Crazy Golf Championships 2008
43rd - Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships 2008
53rd - Great Britain Player at the WMF Nations Cup, Tampere, Finland 2008
13th - Great Britain Team at the WMF Nations Cup, Tampere, Finland 2008
6th - Virgin Money Women's World Crazy Golf Championships 2007
54th - Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Championships 2007

National Records
2011 - British Women's Record on Eternit Miniature Golf - 24(-12)

Course Records (Current)
None

Course Records (Previous)
2008 Blackpool Pleasure Beach Adventure Golf (12-holes) - 27(+3)

Highest BMGA Rankings (as at End of Season)
BMGA Strokeplay Order of Merit Rankings - 29th - 2014
BMGA Season Only Rankings - 21st - 2014
BMGA Season Only Rankings - 29th - 2008
BMGA Order of Merit Rankings - 38th - 2008/09
BMGA Strokeplay Order of Merit Rankings - 41st - 2012
BMGA Matchplay Order of Merit Rankings - 41st - 2012

Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Rankings
October 2010 - 55th
October 2009 - 50th
June 2009 - 82nd

WMF World Minigolf Women's Rankings (General Class)
March 2016 - 102nd
December 2015 - 98th
March 2015 - 110th
December 2014 - 107th
March 2014 - 120th
December 2013 - 114th
March 2013 - 130th
November 2012 - 113th
March 2012 - 101st
November 2011 - 132nd
March 2011 - Unranked
November 2010 - 138th
March 2010 - 109th
November 2009 - 130th
March 2009 - 100th
November 2008 - 115th

Sports and Minigolf Awards
Named 'The nation's 'craziest' putting couple' w/ Richard Gottfried by Today's Golfer magazine, March 2021
Named 'UK's Biggest Adventure Golf Enthusiasts' w/ Richard Gottfried by ITV Granada Reports, 2017
Named 'Britain's Barmiest Golfers' w/ Richard Gottfried by Today's Golfer magazine, November 2016
3rd place - Oswestry Games Oslympics Open Quiz - 2012

Emily Gottfried in a Play-off at the Miniature Open in Manchester in 2009
Emily Gottfried in a Play-off at the Miniature Open in Manchester in 2009

Saturday, April 14, 2018

The DinoFalls Masters

Results of the DinoFalls Adventure Golf Masters competition at the Trafford Golf Centre in Manchester.


The DinoFalls Adventure Golf Masters competition was held at the Trafford Golf Centre in Manchester between the 5th and 8th April 2018

On Friday 6th April I competed in the first-ever DinoFalls Masters Adventure Golf competition at the Trafford Golf Centre in Manchester - and won it!

DinoFalls Adventure Golf at the Trafford Golf Centre in Manchester
Playing a tricky tee-shot up onto a ridge

The 18-hole DinoFalls Adventure Golf course is a nice layout and is an eye-catching sight from the M60.

DinoFalls Adventure Golf at the Trafford Golf Centre in Manchester
Putting on the 18th

The event saw hundreds of players complete a round and submit their scores. My win in The DinoFalls Masters came with a score of 37.

I returned to DinoFalls Adventure Golf to compete in a Midlands Minigolf Club Invitational Tournament on Wednesday 11th April and won that too. What a great week.

The Midlands Minigolf Club competitors at DinoFalls Adventure Golf
The Midlands Minigolf Club competitors at DinoFalls Adventure Golf

MMGC DinoFalls Invitational Tournament results:
1. Richard Gottfried - 40*
2. Henri Myers - 40
3. Alex Hyman - 41
4. Rocky Bullin - 43
5. Steve Sturdy - 45
6. Ruth Burke - 46
* won a sudden-death play-off at the first extra hole

The DinoFalls Adventure Golf course at the Trafford Golf Centre was the 476th played and 792nd visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Check out the DinoFalls Adventure Golf and Trafford Golf Centre websites for more information.

I've now won four tournaments at the Trafford Golf Centre site. In addition to the DinoFalls Masters and the MMGC Invitational I won the 2009 Mini Masters and Mini Open on the 9-hole Championship Miniature Golf course which used to be at the venue. That particular course was the 84th played on our tour. It closed in 2013.

DinoFalls Adventure Golf at the Trafford Golf Centre in Manchester
I certainly cracked the DinoFalls Adventure Golf course on my recent visits

Saturday, October 15, 2016

New website for the Midlands Minigolf Club

Check out the new Midlands Minigolf Club website.


The Midlands Minigolf Club has a new website, where you can find out more about the club, it's players, history, events, results and more.

Midlands Minigolf Club members 'Squire' Richard Gottfried, 'Hacksaw' Jon Drexler, Mark 'The Horse Whisperer' Swan and John 'Thighs' Moore relax at the course in Basingstoke in 2013
The Midlands Minigolf Club relax during a break in the action at the national team championships held in Basingstoke in 2013

The Midlands Minigolf Club (MMGC) was formed in 2005 and are two-time national team champions, winning the title for the first-time at Stratford-upon-Avon in 2008 and regaining the title in Hastings in March.

Midlands Minigolf Club player 'Squire' Richard Gottfried playing a shot in the 2015 edition of the British Club Championships in Hastings
Playing a shot in the 2015 edition of the British Club Championships in Hastings

I've been a member of the MMGC since my rookie year on the National Tour and was a member of both British Club Championship winning teams. I also captained the team in 2009. Last year the club produced its own Ball of Fame to celebrate the victory.

Give the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour a Like on Facebook, watch our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter @putting_gott and @Ems_Lems.

You can now sign-up to receive our miniature golf newsletter.

Friday, September 04, 2015

The Midlands Minigolf Club Ball of Fame

The Midlands Minigolf Club has a Ball of Fame!

Following the Midlands Minigolf Club's victory in the BMGA British Club Championships this year the club had the honour of producing a Ball of Fame to mark the achievement.

Photo of the Midlands Minigolf Club's Ball of Fame
The Midlands Minigolf Club's Ball of Fame!

The Midlands Minigolf Club (MMGC) was formed in 2005 and are two-time national team champions, winning the title for the first-time at Stratford-upon-Avon in 2008 and regaining the title in Hastings in March.

Photo of Richard Gottfried playing hole 16 of the Pirate Golf course in Hastings at the 2015 BMGA British Club Championships
Playing in the national final in Hastings

I'm proud to have been a member of the MMGC since my debut season in 2007 and have been a member of both winning teams alongside Chris Harding (2008), John Moore (2008 & 2015), Jam Trubridge (2008), Michael Smith (2015) and Seth Thomas (2015).

Photo of the 2015 BMGA British Club Champions - the Midlands MGC team of Seth Thomas, John Moore, Michael Smith and Richard Gottfried
The winning Midlands MGC team of Seth Thomas, John Moore, Michael Smith and Richard Gottfried

The Midlands Minigolf Club's Ball of Fame (BoF) was produced by 3D Minigolf in Germany. Details of other Balls of Fame can be found on the 3D Minigolf website.

When playing in minigolf-sport competitions players can choose to use a wide-variety of specialist balls. Each has a a different property in terms of hardness, weight, bounce, surface and size. In the last 70 years more than 10,000 minigolf balls have been produced!

The Midlands Minigolf Club's BoF has the following properties: Bounce 5cm, Shore 37, Weight 45g. It's a low bounce ball and is slightly softer than average. It's good for direct shots and our club captain Michael Smith has highlighted some holes on the Pirate Golf course in Hastings and the Star City Adventure Golf course in Birmingham where it could be useful. The MMGC BoF costs £15. To secure one of the limited edition balls please get in touch via the MMGC's Facebook page.

The MMGC consists of a dedicated group of crazy minigolfers from around Great Britain, Northern Ireland and the USA. For more information check out the club's Facebook, Twitter, and other MMGC-related blog posts.

Photo of the 2015 BMGA British Club Champions in Hastings. From l-r Seth Thomas, Michael Smith, Brenda Smith, Paul Johnson, Owen Johnson, Richard Gottfried, John Moore, Chris Smith
The 2015 BMGA British Club Champions in Hastings. From l-r Seth Thomas, Michael Smith, Brenda Smith, Paul Johnson, Owen Johnson, Richard Gottfried, John Moore, Chris Smith

Around the world there are over 900 minigolf clubs and 38,000 competitive minigolf players registered with the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF) via the 55 member nations. For further info on the sport of minigolf and essential kit and equipment check out the WMF's Starting out in Minigolf guide.

Links:
- Midlands Minigolf Club on Facebook
- Midlands Minigolf Club on Twitter
- 3D Minigolf 

Related blog posts:
- Midlands Minigolf Club
- Crazy about Mini Golf Balls
- Minigolf Clubs in the UK

Monday, August 31, 2015

Minigolf Report from the Midlands Invitational Tournament in Nottingham

Gottfried third in the Midlands Invitational Tournament in Nottingham

Leagrave minigolfers Richard and Emily Gottfried competed in the eighth edition of the Midlands Invitational Tournament held on the 18-hole Temple Trail course at The Lost City Adventure Golf centre in Nottingham on Sunday 30th August.

Richard finished in third-place in the Midlands Club Championship after scores of 34, 33 and 34 for a total of 101(-7). Eleven players competed in the event.

Photo of Richard Gottfried - third placed player in the Midlands Invitational Tournament
Richard and his bronze medal

Emily played in the Guest Invitational event and recorded rounds of 36, 36 and 40 for a total of 112(+4) and fourth place in the five-player event.

Emily Gottfried playing hole 10 at The Lost City Adventure Golf course in Nottingham
Emily playing hole 10 at The Lost City

The Midlands Invitational Tournament was won by Michael Smith with a score of 95, with Chris Smith runner-up on 100.

The Midlands Guest Invitational and overall leaderboard was won by Andy Wilde with a 91, with Steve Lovell in second place on 95 and Edward Pope third on 110.

Richard said “It's always nice to play in a Midlands club event and I'm very pleased to get third-place. It was very close between me and Chris Smith for the silver medal and it's a shame I couldn't put away more aces on the front-9. I'm happy with how I played and to drop just one shot in 54-holes was quite an achievement. Thanks to the MMGC for organising the event and The Lost City for hosting.”

Photo of Richard Gottfried playing hole 5 at The Lost City Adventure Golf course in Nottingham
Richard playing hole 5 at The Lost City Adventure Golf

“Having recently watched three quarters-of-an-hour of Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom really helped my play as the course pipes in the theme tune on a loop.” He added while incanting the word “Kalima”.

Emily said “The tournament was fun, although I was disappointed with my performance overall as I didn’t get enough aces, and dropped more shots than I should have done.”

In the overall leaderboard Richard was fifth of sixteen players, with Emily twelfth.

The Midlands Minigolf Club are the reigning and two-time BMGA British Club Champions. For more information visit the club’s Facebook page.

The Lost City Adventure Golf is home to two 18-hole courses – The Temple Trail and Sacred Skull Pass.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Minigolf in Stratford-upon-Avon

A revisit to Stratford-upon-Avon's minigolf course.

Minigolf course at the Recreation Ground in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Minigolf in Stratford-upon-Avon

While on holiday in the midlands this week Emily made a return trip to Stratford-upon-Avon and the 18-hole Minigolf course at the Recreation Ground on Swan's Nest Lane.

Minigolf course at the Recreation Ground in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
  
Minigolf course at the Recreation Ground in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
The minigolf course can be found in the Recreation Ground on Swan's Nest Lane in Stratford-upon-Avon

The course was originally the 49th visited and played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour back in 2008. We've visited the course to play in a number of competitions including the British Doubles, Midlands Open, Midlands Invitational and the English Open. It's one of the finest courses in the country and a real skill-based course. Well worth a visit.

Minigolf competition in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
At the 2008 Midlands Invitational Tournament

Minigolf competition in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
On the course during the 2009 Midlands Invitational Tournament

Minigolf competition in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
In action at the 2010 Midlands Open

Minigolf course at the Recreation Ground in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
A view of the Stratford-upon-Avon minigolf course in 2015

Check out the Stratford Minigolf course website for more information, opening times and prices.

Minigolf course at the Recreation Ground in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
Upon first seeing the course it appears to be quite flat, but on closer inspection you'll find there are so many subtle lumps, bumps and obstacles it makes for a really testing round

The course was recently the setting for the MMGC Midlands Masters tournament organised by the Midlands Minigolf Club - the reigning, and two-time, BMGA British Club Champions.

Along with my MMGC team-mates Chris Harding, John Moore and Jam Trubridge the club won the national title for the first time when the Stratford course hosted the event in 2008.

Check out the links to videos from the closing stages of a 'friendly' Minigolf Doubles Match between me & Kevin Moseley and Jam Trubridge & Peter Jones played after the 2009 Midlands Invitational Tournament.

Videos:
Minigolf Doubles Match in Stratford Upon Avon - part 1 of 2
Minigolf Doubles Match in Stratford Upon Avon - part 2 of 2 

Related blog post:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Links:
- Stratford Minigolf website
- Midlands Minigolf Club on Facebook

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

Monday, April 06, 2015

Minigolf Clubs in the UK

Details of miniature golf clubs in the UK.

I'm a member of the reigning and two-time BMGA British Club Champions, the Midlands Minigolf Club, and Emily is a member of the Cambridgeshire & Essex Mini Golf Club.

The 2015 BMGA British Club Champions - the Midlands Minigolf Club. From l-r Seth Thomas, Michael Smith, Brenda Smith, Paul Johnson, Owen Johnson, Richard Gottfried, John Moore, Chris Smith

We compete as individuals on the British Minigolf Association Tour, with occasional forays into doubles and team competitions.

The 2015 bronze medalists from the Cambridgeshire and Essex Mini Golf Club. From l-r Chris Wood, Adrian Amey, Emily Gottfried, Mark Wood
The 2015 bronze medalists from the Cambridgeshire and Essex Mini Golf Club. From l-r Chris Wood, Adrian Amey, Emily Gottfried, Mark Wood

There are currently eight miniature golf clubs affiliated to the BMGA - they are the Midlands Minigolf Club, Cambridgeshire and Essex Mini Golf ClubKent Minigolf ClubPlanet Hastings Crazy Golf ClubSplash Point Mini Golf ClubSussex Wasps Mini Golf Club, London Minigolf Club and the Brighton Minigolf Club.

Former / defunct / inactive minigolf clubs in the UK include (in no particular order) the Welwyn Garden City Minigolf Club, Tunbridge Wells Minigolf Club, Brighton and Hove Minigolf Club, Cwmbran Minigolf Club, Thames Valley Minigolf Club, Hampshire Minigolf Club, The Green Mini Golf Club, Cambridgeshire Mini Golf Club, Sandbanks Crazy Golf Club, Basingstoke Minigolf Club, Portsmouth & Southsea Crazy Golf Club, Luton Wanderers Minigolf Club, Bangor Minigolf Club and the Kentish Town Mini Golf Club.

Around the world there are over 900 minigolf clubs and 38,000 competitive minigolf players registered with the World Minigolf Sport Federation via the 46 member nations.

Active club links:
Midlands Minigolf Club
Cambridgeshire and Essex Mini Golf Club
Kent Minigolf Club
Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club
Splash Point Mini Golf Club
Sussex Wasps Mini Golf Club
- London Minigolf Club - no website, but there's some great old info on the LMC at MiniatureGolfer.com
- Brighton Minigolf Club - no website

Association links:
British Minigolf Association
European Minigolf Sport Federation
World Minigolf Sport Federation

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

Wednesday, April 01, 2015

Happy April Fools' Day from 'The Kentish Town Mini Golf Club'

Setting up a new minigolf club in the UK.

Emily and I have decided to set-up a new minigolf club - the Kentish Town Mini Golf Club.

Minigolf characters Richard and Emily Gottfried in Margate, Kent

I have played for the Midlands Minigolf Club since my rookie season in 2007, while Emily was most recently a member of the Cambridgeshire and Essex Mini Golf Club.

There were two main reasons for us creating a brand new club on the exciting and action packed British minigolf scene.


Last month we both competed for our respective former clubs in the BMGA British Club Championships and did well in the event. Now the time is right to build a new legacy. Starting today.

Minigolf in London at the Clarence Way Crazy Golf course in Camden
Richard playing the Clarence Way Crazy Golf course in Camden. Near Kentish Town

Back in 2011 Kent Athletic Club held a Bank Holiday Fun Day and one of the activities was Crazy Golf! The course became the 267th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and the first we'd played on a football pitch.

Minigolf at Kent Athletic Club in Leagrave, Luton
A Crazy Golf course, with a windmill, set up on a football pitch, in Leagrave

We held the inaugural Kent(ish) Invitational Tournament on that course visit and the victory went to me with a score of 34 to Emily's 42.

The code of conduct of the Kentish Town Mini Golf Club is summarised below:

  • Action - our events will be action packed 
  • Playability - we'll play at any course. Anywhere
  • Rankings - we'll set up the Kentish Town MGC ranking list for our members
  • International - we welcome players from around the world to represent the KTMGC
  • Lifestyle - we recognise minigolf is a lifestyle choice and we will have as much fun as possible while doing it
  • Fun - see above
  • Original - from it's name down, the KTMGC will be original in all it does
  • Official - it is
  • Longevity - we're in this for the long haul. Oh yes

The Kentish Town Mini Golf Club is open to all and for today only is offering free membership (the normal subs price will be £5 per player, per season). If you're interested in joining please get in touch via the comments below or on Twitter.

News of the British minigolf scene hasn't gone unnoticed. Mr Uri Foal from Kentish Town Council said "The forming of a new sports club in Kentish Town is always a cause for celebration. Having two fine minigolfers, Emily and Richard, committing their futures to the KTMGC is a sign of things to come."

Check out the links below for websites and Facebook pages of the other UK minigolf clubs.

Links:
- Kent Minigolf Club
- Midlands Minigolf Club
- Cambridgeshire and Essex Mini Golf Club
- Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club
- London Minigolf Club - not online
- Splash Point Mini Golf Club
- Sussex Wasps Mini Golf Club
- British Minigolf Association
- European Minigolf Sport Federation
- World Minigolf Sport Federation

Related blog posts:
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Finally Playing the Camden Crazy Golf Course
Crazy Golf in Luton - Charity Fun Day at Kent Athletic Club
Richard Gottfried player profile
Emily Gottfried player profile

Monday, March 23, 2015

Minigolf report from the Midlands Open 2015

Richard Gottfried third at the Midlands Open minigolf tournament

Minigolfer Richard Gottfried with the bronze medal from the 2015 Midlands Open
Minigolfer Richard Gottfried with the bronze medal from the 2015 Midlands Open

Leagrave minigolfer Richard Gottfried continued his good form with a podium finish in the Midlands Open competition held at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull on Sunday 22 March.

Competing in a 24-player field on the 12-hole miniature golf course Richard shot rounds of 20, 22, 21 and 28 for a 48-hole score of 91.

Richard Gottfried playing hole 2 during the Hole in One Charity Challenge
Richard Gottfried playing hole 2 during the Hole in One Charity Challenge

Emily Gottfried was also in action and finished in 15th place after rounds of 26, 20, 27 and 30 for a total of 103.

Emily Gottfried playing hole 12 at Four Ashes Golf Centre
Emily Gottfried playing hole 12 at Four Ashes Golf Centre

The tournament was won by Oxford’s Michael Smith with a score of 76, with London’s Will Donnelly runner-up with a score of 89.

The Midlands Open podium, from l-r Will Donnelly, Michael Smith, Richard Gottfried
The Midlands Open podium, from l-r Will Donnelly, Michael Smith, Richard Gottfried

Richard said “It’s great to get another medal and I’m pleased with my performance. Dorridge is a great course and a pleasure to play. I didn’t drop a shot for 42-holes which was nice. But then I had three bad holes in the final round to knock me from second place. Well played to Michael Smith on his win and to Will Donnelly for beating me to the silver medal.”

The third-place result was Richard’s best ever in the Midlands Open tournament, with his previous highest finish of fourth-place coming at the 2010 event.

The Midlands Minigolf Club are the reigning BMGA British Club Champions, winning the title in Hastings earlier this month. For more information check out the MMGC Facebook page.

Next up for Richard is a trip to Hastings for the BMGA British Minigolf Championships in May.

Links:
- Midlands Minigolf Club on Facebook
- Four Ashes Golf Centre
- British Minigolf Association