Showing posts with label Richard Gottfried. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Richard Gottfried. Show all posts

Saturday, May 01, 2021

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

I published my minigolf marketing ebook four years ago today.


The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

It's been brilliant to see the guide read and used by a number of associations, federations, course owners and managers, players and clubs around the world.

The feedback and reviews have been excellent to see, with some people also using the ebook to help them promote other sports.


Don't worry if you don't have a Kindle as you can download the Kindle App on iOS, Android, Mac & PC.

The ebook is also available on Kobo.

It's just £1.99.

Minigolf Marketing

As a minigolfer with over a decade of experience as a tournament competitor and years of experience in marketing and communications I designed the guide so that anyone interested or involved in minigolf could help promote the game. It's a niche title, but an audience and subject I know a lot about.

Writing the book was brilliant and enabled me to bring two areas of my life together. I've worked in marketing since 2003 and have played minigolf since I was a child. Stepping up to compete on the national minigolf tour circuit and in international tournaments opened my eyes to the potential of the game. I’ve also had the honour of serving on the committees of the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) and the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF).

Minigolf is a sport for all. People of all ages, sexes, backgrounds and abilities can pick up a putter and play the game.

The Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Emily and I have visited 958 courses in the UK and overseas on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. When our travels began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the UK. We've got 40 from that original list left to visit.

The minigolf boom

The game is really booming and new courses are being announced all the time.

There are a huge amount of interesting and fun stories to tell and positive aspects to highlight to potential players, the media, sponsors and the wider sporting community. The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing should give federations, associations, courses, clubs and our fellow players ideas, inspiration and support in their marketing efforts.

Links:

Wednesday, April 07, 2021

The American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship

Looking back at the American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship.


Welsh Regional Qualifier of the American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship at Clays Golf Centre in Wrexham

My team-mate Peter Jones and I qualified for the American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship Final by winning the Welsh Regional Qualifier at Clays Golf Centre on this day in 2017. Where has that time gone!

Richard Gottfried and Peter Jones - champions of the Welsh Regional Qualifier for the American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship at Clays Golf Centre in Wrexham
Minigolf champions

Welsh Regional Qualifier of the American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship at Clays Golf Centre in Wrexham
In action on the course

Each of the holes on the 9-hole Miniature Golf course at Clays Golf Centre in Wrexham are based on famous holes from regular golf.





The American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship Final was played at The Belfry in September 2017 and was televised on Sky Sports Golf. You can watch the tournament in the video below from 26m 55s.


The American Golf Championship Tour Season Review programme can also be watched on the American Golf YouTube Channel with the Adventure Golf competition starting at 31m 33s.


Players earned their places in the final by competing in qualifying events at courses in England, Scotland and Wales:
  • Great Western Golf Clydebank
  • World of Golf Croydon
  • Top Golf Watford
  • Bristol Golf Centre
  • Trent Lock, Long Eaton
  • Clays Farm Golf Centre, Wrexham

American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship at The Belfry
On telly at The Belfry

Links:

Tuesday, April 06, 2021

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

You can buy my minigolf marketing ebook on Amazon.


Don't worry if you don't have a Kindle as you can download the Kindle App on iOS, Android, Mac & PC.

The ebook is also available on Kobo.

It's just £1.99.

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

Minigolf marketing

I've been so pleased to see the book bought and used by a number of competition players, course owners and managers, bloggers, course reviewers, minigolf associations and federations around the world since I published the guide in 2017.

As a minigolfer with over a decade of experience as a tournament competitor and years of experience in marketing and communications I designed the guide so that anyone interested or involved in minigolf could help promote the game. It's a niche title, but an audience and subject I know a lot about.

Writing the book was brilliant and enabled me to bring two areas of my life together. I've worked in marketing since 2003 and have played minigolf since I was a child. Stepping up to compete on the national minigolf tour circuit and in international tournaments opened my eyes to the potential of the game. I’ve also had the honour of serving on the committees of the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) and the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF).

Minigolf is a sport for all. People of all ages, sexes, backgrounds and abilities can pick up a putter and play the game.

The Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Emily and I have visited 956 courses in the UK and overseas on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. When our travels began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the UK. We've got 40 from that original list left to visit.

The minigolf boom

The game is really booming and new courses are being announced all the time!

There are a huge amount of interesting and fun stories to tell and positive aspects to highlight to potential players, the media, sponsors and the wider sporting community. The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing should give federations, associations, courses, clubs and our fellow players ideas, inspiration and support in their marketing efforts.

Sports marketing

Much of the guidance can also be applied to a number of other sports clubs and organisations to help raise their profile and boost memberships.

Links:

Wednesday, March 10, 2021

My last pre-pandemic games of dodgeball

I played my last pre-coronavirus pandemic lockdown games of dodgeball a year ago today.


In my last Tuesday night session with the Cheadle & Gatley Griffins Dodgeball Club I played 5, won 4 and lost 1.

I'm really looking forward to returning to dodgeball action when it's once again safe to do so.

My 2020 record stood at 18 games played with 9 wins and 9 losses.

My all-time Dodgeball Win-Loss Record (2005-2020) stands at 987 games played, 451 wins, 492 losses and 44 tied games.

Thursday, March 04, 2021

World Book Day 2021

Happy World Book Day!


Today is World Book Day. To mark the occasion check out my minigolf marketing ebook - The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing.

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

Created after years of playing, promoting and consulting the ebook gives players, courses, federations, associations and clubs a guide to the world of marketing.

You can buy The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing from Amazon and Kobo.


Other minigolf books

While you're at it I also recommend checking out the following books about miniature golf:

Tuesday, February 02, 2021

Porth Island Krazy Golf in Newquay

A look at the Porth Island Krazy Golf course in Newquay, Cornwall.

We played the Porth Island Krazy Golf course in Newquay on our road-trip around the South West coast of England back in June 2015.

Porth Island Krazy Golf in Newquay

The course was similar to a Beton Concrete type of miniature golf course and interesting, if a little too difficult, to play.

The course was the 47th visited on our two-week holiday, the 377th played overall and the 646th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Visit the Newquay Football Golf website for more information on the Porth Island Krazy Golf course.

Monday, January 18, 2021

American Golf National Adventure Golf Championship

A look back at the American Golf National Adventure Golf Championship at The Belfry.

The American Golf National Adventure Golf Championship is on YouTube (from 26m 55s).

American Golf Adventure Golf Championships at The Belfry

It was brilliant to compete in the event alongside Peter Jones at The Belfry Hotel & Resort in 2017 and showcase tournament miniature golf to a national TV audience.

American Golf National Adventure Golf Championship at The Belfry
Peter Jones in action in our semi-final match-up

I'm looking forward to playing in minigolf competitions again in the future.

Richard Gottfried playing hole 3 of the Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry
Playing hole 3 of the Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

While there is some down time in lockdown why not check out my minigolf marketing ebook - The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing.

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

Created after years of playing, promoting and consulting the book gives players, courses, federations, associations and clubs a guide to the world of marketing.

You can buy the ebook from Amazon and Kobo.

Tuesday, December 08, 2020

Dull Men's Club Calendar for 2021

Looking ahead to next year. Now.


The Dull Men's Club's brand new calendar for 2021 arrived yesterday and we're looking forward to reading up about our fellow dullards as the year progresses.

Dull Men's Club Calendar for 2021
What does next year have in store?


You'll be able to find an update on our adventures within the 2021 edition too.

Dull events

This year has certainly been a strange one. While not completely dull, it has had its moments.

We had an enjoyable evening of mild excitement at the Dull Men's Club Anorak of the Year Award event in Manchester last November. I can't believe the world has changed so much since then.

I was also a speaker at the Dull Men's Club's 'Delightfully Dull, Brilliantly Boring Evening' at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) in Preston back in 2018.

I'm moderately excited about speaking at Dull Men's Club events again the future.

About the Dull Men's Club

The Dull Men's Club celebrates the ordinary and the life-changing magic of simple, everyday, run-of-the-mill things.

Visit the Dull Men's Club website for more information.


The Dull Men's Club Calendar for 2021 will be available from Amazon.

Monday, November 30, 2020

Chrizy Golf - Christmas Crazy Golf

A look back at the Chrizy Golf Masters crazy golf competition in Manchester.


Chrizy Golf - Christmas Crazy Golf in Manchester

I won the Chrizy Golf Masters miniature golf tournament in Manchester eight years ago today.

Chrizy Golf - Christmas Crazy Golf in Manchester

Time flies!

Chrizy Golf - Christmas Crazy Golf in Manchester

Back on the 30th November 2012 the first - and to date only - Chrizy Golf Masters minigolf tournament was held on a festive-themed pop-up crazy golf course at Piccadilly Place in Manchester.

Chrizy Golf - Christmas Crazy Golf in Manchester

Chrizy Golf scorecards

The Chrizy Golf course was the 313th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Chrizy Golf - Christmas Crazy Golf in Manchester

Chrizy Golf - Christmas Crazy Golf in Manchester

The Chrizy Golf course was gone once the 2012 festive season was over and the building remained empty, or used for other pop-ups, until the team at Junkyard Golf made it their home for another minigolf course. That one was there for a couple of years. They have since moved on and can be found at a permanent venue at First Street in the city.

Related blog posts:

Friday, November 27, 2020

The Dull Men's Club 2021 Calendar

A look ahead to the Dull Men's Club Calendar for 2021.


The Dull Men's Club

The new Dull Men's Club Calendar will be available shortly.

The Dull Men's Club 2021 Calendar

We featured in the club's 2017 calendar for our relentless mission to visit and document every miniature golf course in the UK.

You'll be able to find us somewhere in the 2021 edition too.

The Dull Men's Club celebrates the ordinary and the life-changing magic of simple, everyday, run-of-the-mill things.

Check out the Dull Men's Club website for more information.

Monday, October 12, 2020

12 years ago...

I won the Weymouth Open minigolf tournament on this day in 2008.


Richard Gottfried, the 2008 Weymouth Open minigolf champion

What a day that was!

The inaugural Weymouth Open minigolf competition was held on the 18-hole Pirate Adventure Mini Golf course at the Weymouth Sea Life Centre at Lodmoor Country Park.

Pirate Adventure Mini Golf at the Weymouth Sea Life Centre at Lodmoor Country Park

I had a very good record in Weymouth Open events. As well as winning the individual title in 2008 my team-mate Chris Harding and I were the Weymouth Open doubles champions in 2011.

Richard Gottfried and Chris Harding, the 2011 Weymouth Open doubles champions

I was also runner-up in the 2009 and 2011 events and seventh in 2010. In the 2009 tournament Kevin Moseley and I were tied after two rounds and it took 4-holes of a sudden-death play-off to separate us.

Pirate Adventure Mini Golf at the Weymouth Sea Life Centre at Lodmoor Country Park

The course was the 77th played on our travels. We've now been to 956 courses since September 2006.

Pirate Adventure Mini Golf at the Weymouth Sea Life Centre at Lodmoor Country Park

I've heard that the Pirate Adventure Mini Golf course at the Weymouth Sea Life Centre has undergone some changed in recent few years. It'll be interesting to revisit the layout on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Friday, September 25, 2020

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

Check out The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing.

My ebook to help minigolf players better market themselves, their clubs, associations, tournaments and courses is available to purchase from Amazon and Kobo.

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

Monday, September 21, 2020

666

A look back at the 666th course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

For the 666th blog post of the year here's a look at the 666th course we visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Bridlington.

Treasure Island Adventure Golf in Bridlington

The Treasure Island Adventure Golf course was the 384th played on our travels when we swung by on the 31st July 2015.

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Sunday, September 13, 2020

The Putt Park's Annual Mini-Golf Tournament in Las Vegas

Minigolfing at The Putt Park in Las Vegas.



I won The Putt Park's Annual Mini-Golf Tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA back in September 2011. It's always nice to get a win in Vegas.

The Putt Park in Las Vegas
Wall of Famer



We first played minigolf at The Putt Park on our holiday to Las Vegas in 2010. It was the 178th course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've now been to 956 course since our travels began in September 2006.

The Putt Park in Las Vegas

Sadly The Putt Park is no longer there. It was a superb 18-hole course and the only outdoor minigolf venue in Las Vegas.

The Putt Park in Las Vegas

The Putt Park in Las Vegas

The Putt Park in Las Vegas

We're hoping to revisit Las Vegas again in the future as a few more miniature golf courses have opened since our last trip.

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Wednesday, September 09, 2020

American Golf National Adventure Golf Championship

Looking back at the American Golf National Adventure Golf Championship.


 American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship Final at The Belfry

I competed in the American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship Final at The Belfry three years ago this week.

 American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship Final at The Belfry

My team-mate Peter Jones and I qualified for the American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship Final by winning the Welsh Regional Qualifier at Clays Golf Centre in April 2017.

Welsh Regional Qualifiers at Clays Golf Centre in Wrexham

The final was televised on Sky Sports Golf in November 2017. It was the first miniature golf tournament to be televised in the UK.

 American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship Final at The Belfry

The National Adventure Golf Championships can be seen in the video below from 26m 55s.


The American Golf Championship Tour Season Review programme can also be watched on the American Golf YouTube Channel with the Adventure Golf competition starting at 31m 33s.


 American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship Final at The Belfry

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Saturday, August 08, 2020

A Mini Golf Apocalypse

A look back at the Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London.


Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London

As we're in the midst of a pandemic I thought it'd be interested to look back at an apocalypse - the Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course from 2012.

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London

Looking back to 2012

We played the Golf Apocalypse miniature golf course back in August 2012. The layout had been created as part of the London Pleasure Gardens, an area set-up to tap into the passing trade between the DLR and the London 2012 Olympic Games at the ExCel centre.

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London

Obey street art in London
A BIG piece of OBEY street art in the distance

Golf Apocalypse was the first really really really mad-cap pop-up course we played on our travels.

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London
What a sight!

A crazy set-up

The layout contained all manner of strange minigolf obstacles and we found ourselves playing through the fuselage of a crashed aeroplane, around a pinball machine, a snooker table and into a volcano.

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London
What a thing to putt through

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London
Pinball wizard

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London
Snooker loopy

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London
The End

Pop-up crazy golf

The pop-up miniature golf course was the first to use reclaimed materials in its construction. Something that has become commonplace these days and we've seen and played a number of funky, junky, scrap, ghetto, trash, garbage, graffiti, wreck and art-based courses since.

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London
Playing hole 2

Competitive minigolf

In our minigolf match-up Emily picked up the win with a score of 25. I was second with 26, with Gareth Holmes third with 27 and Alan Norman on 28.

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London
Emily playing hole 3

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London
22 was a very good score to get on the 9-hole course

The course’s designer and owner, Dave Lovatt, was also responsible for the 9-hole Crazy Golf course that staged the Welsh Open Crazy Golf Championships as part of the Newport Big Splash Festival in 2010. Following the 2012 pop-up in London the course moved on to Bristol.

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London
Crazy golfing at the end of the world - from l-r Gareth Holmes, Richard Gottfried, Emily Gottfried, Dave Lovatt, Alan Norman

Our challenge match with Dave went to a sudden-death play-off between Dave and Alan after both players had shot rounds of 22. Dave picked up the win on the deciding hole to take the title. I had finished on 24, Gareth had a 25 and Emily had shot a 29.

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London
Alan snookered

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London
Gareth putting on hole 1

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London
A different sort of podium

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

The 9-hole Golf Apocalypse course was the 304th course played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

More photos of the Golf Apocalypse course.


Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London

Golf Apocalypse crazy golf course in London

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