The Gazeway 'All-Weather' Miniature Golf Course

Finding out about The Gazeway 'All-Weather' Miniature Golf Course from a minigolf postcard.

Emily and I enjoy a good mystery and after Emily found a great old minigolf postcard while browsing at the Room at the Top antique shop in Stockport Market's Produce Hall we had another bit of minigolf history to research.

The undated and postally unused card shows Room at The Gazeway 'All-Weather' Miniature Golf Course. A quick online search for this term returned no results!

The reverse of the postcard was no help

Luckily after a bit more digging we found details of the course in a 1930 issue of The Graphic magazine.

The Gazeway 'All-Weather' Miniature Golf Course was created by the company W.H. Gaze in 1930 and was located in Kingston-on-Thames, Surrey. The course was part of an old house on Portsmouth Road which the firm modernised, refurbished and furnished to showcase what the business did.

The company had its own miniature golf section, overseen by Mr H. C. Gaze and the Kingston-on-Thames course was created by a Captain G. B. Mallett - himself responsible for minigolf courses in Vancouver and Los Angeles.

Dating from 1930 the Gazeway 'All-Weather' Miniature Golf Course was one of the earliest artificial layouts in the UK. The first Crazy Golf course in England was created in Skegness in 1926.

At the time miniature golf was experiencing a boom period as the latest craze took hold. Portable and temporary courses could be found popping up in a number of different locations, including on the roof at Selfridges in London.

As is so often the case, history repeats itself and we're currently experiencing a high level of new course openings, as well as refurbishment of old courses and enjoyment of the more than 600 layouts in the UK.

Related blog posts:
- Postcards
- Miniature Golf

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Minigolf Report – Richard Gottfried wins the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship Final

Second Crazy Golf competition victory for Gottfried on the rooftop of Selfridges in London.

On Wednesday 29th August Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried won the ‘Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship Final’ on the 9-hole rooftop Crazy Golf course at Selfridges Department Store in London.

Richard Gottfried with the BIG Minigolf trophy he received for winning the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship Final

Having previously won the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr June Championship play-off title he was invited to compete in the final against the other monthly winner, the course record holder and wildcard players.

The grand final consisted of a two-round, 18-hole contest with nine other competitors on the Par-19 course. Scoring rounds of 14 and 17 for a total of 31(-7) Richard was eight shots ahead of the runner-up Mark Harris.

Richard Gottfried playing hole 7 of the Bompas & Parr Crazy Golf course at Selfridges London

Richard said “It’s absolutely brilliant to win the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship Final and the massive minigolf trophy to go with my June play-off victory. The British summer wasn’t too kind to us on the day and the rainy weather before we teed-off made it feel more like an autumnal competition, but that didn’t dampen the mood and it was a fun contest. Well done to Bompas & Parr for creating a great Crazy Golf course that has been a lot of fun to play over the summer.”

Emily Gottfried competed in the championship as a wildcard entrant, scoring rounds of 21 and 19 to tie for third-place with Mitcham’s Alan Norman after both players scored a total of 40(+2).

Emily Gottfried, Richard Gottfried and Alan 'Stormin' Norman at Bompas & Parr's Crazy Golf course

Back in the 1930’s Selfridges’ roof was home to one of the UK’s first Minigolf courses and the Bompas & Parr Crazy Golf course opened at the end of May for The Big Rooftop Tea & Golf Party. The course has been installed on the roof of Selfridges as part of the Big British Bang celebration taking place during the summer of 2012.

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A Gottfried vs. Gottfried Crazy Golf Match on Selfridges' Roof in London

A Crazy Golf battle between two of the Gottfried brothers on the roof of Selfridges London.

After watching the Archery at the London 2012 Olympic Games my brother Christopher and I headed to the 9-hole Bompas & Parr Crazy Golf course that is on the rooftop of Selfridges Department Store during the summer 'Big British Bang' event at the store.

We've had quite a few Crazy Golf matches against each other over the years and Christopher was with us when we played the course that would become the first on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

With the course filled with London-landmarks sculpted in cake form the layout was quite different to any other Miniature Golf course Christopher had played before, but the natural sportsman in him meant he took the lead on the second hole (Big Ben Rebound)!

Christopher plays his second shot on hole 2 - it looks more like Piccadilly Circus than Westminster with all the 'traffic'!

The very difficult third hole was the bane of many a player at the course on our visit, as indeed it has been in the tournaments I've played there since the course opened. We scored a 4 and a 6.

The pair of us had a great time in a very close match-up that lacked holes-in-one, with neither of us getting an Ace until the 9th hole!

Richard Gottfried playing the 5th hole of the Bompas & Parr Crazy Golf

In the end, and with a feeling of relief, I picked up the win 22 to 26 to (just about) claim the bragging rights.

Christopher Gottfried playing the 9th hole of the Bompas & Parr Crazy Golf

The course is in place until September and if you haven't given it a play yet you really should. The roof at Selfridges was one of the first sites in the UK to be home to a Minigolf course and back in the 1930's players flocked there to Putt above Oxford Street!

Links:

- Selfridges

- Bompas & Parr

- Selfridges Big British Bang

Related Blog Posts:

- A Gottfried vs. Gottfried Crazy Golf Match in Abingdon-on-Thames

- Minigolf Report - Crazy Golf Pro Championship at Selfridges London

- Minigolf Report – Richard Gottfried wins the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff

- Playing Minigolf on the Selfridges Rooftop Crazy Golf course!

- Selfridges to get a Crazy Golf course and Tea Room on Rooftop Garden

- Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London

- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Listen to all the action from the Crazy Golf Pro Championship via Zone One Radio

Zone One Radio's Special Feature from the Crazy Golf Pro Championships.

During the Crazy Golf Pro Championship, hosted by Bompas & Parr and UrbanCrazy at Selfridges London the team from the #InGoodTaste show at Zone One Radio followed the action as the tournament unfolded and interviewed some of the players (including me) and the event organisers.

You can check out the full show at "#InGoodTaste - Episode 4: Bompas & Parr Mini Golf Special by William P. Hanley on Mixcloud" - it's 51 minutes of Minigolf and Music Magic!

Links:

- Zone One Radio

- UrbanCrazy

- UrbanCrazy's Report from the Crazy Golf Pro Championship

- Bompas & Parr

Related Blog Post:

- Minigolf Report - Crazy Golf Pro Championship at Selfridges London

Minigolf Report - Crazy Golf Pro Championship at Selfridges London

8th July 2012

Press Information

For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report from the Crazy Golf Pro Championship, hosted by Bompas & Parr and UrbanCrazy

On Saturday 7th July Luton Minigolfers Richard and Emily Gottfried were invited to compete in the Crazy Golf Pro Championship, hosted by Bompas & Parr and UrbanCrazy, on the rooftop Crazy Golf course at Selfridges London.

Richard Gottfried playing the third hole of the Bompas & Parr Crazy Golf course at Selfridges London

A total of 30 players were in action on the London-landmark and cake-themed Miniature Golf course and Richard finished in 6th place after two 9-hole rounds of 17(-1) for a tournament total of 34(-2). Emily scored rounds of 22(+4) and 20(+2) to finish in 20th place. In the ladies’ competition Emily finished 1st of six players.

Richard said “I’m pleased with my 6th place in the Crazy Golf Pro Championship. After Alan Norman stormed to an opening round of just 12 the field had its work cut out in getting close to really challenge for the title. But my consistent two rounds of 17 were good enough to see me gain another top-ten tournament finish. I’m looking forward to more rounds on Bompas & Parr’s very crazy Minigolf course over the next two months.”

Emily said “The course on Selfridges’ roof is very unique as well as great fun. The tournament was fantastic, with a lot of joviality and banter among all the players. It was great to see so many players, old and new, taking part. I really enjoyed the evening and although I would’ve liked to have scored better, I think it was brilliant tournament and would definitely play there again!”

The Crazy Golf Pro Championship winner was Oxford’s Michael Smith who defeated London’s Nick Sandqvist at the fourth extra-hole of a sudden-death play-off. Alan Norman finished in third place having also scored 28(-8) in regulation play, but lost out at the third hole of the play-off.

'Squire' Richard Gottfried and a comedy character at the Crazy Golf Pro Championship at Selfridges London

The course opened at the end of May for the The Big Rooftop Tea & Golf Party. The course has been installed on the roof of Selfridges London as part of their Big British Bang celebration that is taking place during the summer of 2012. Last month Richard became the first champion at the course when he won the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff.

Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, Alan 'Stormin' Norman and 'Squire' Richard Gottfried at the Crazy Golf Pro Championship at Selfridges London

In the latest British Minigolf Association Tour Rankings Richard has moved up to 6th place of 53 players in the BMGA Season Only Rankings for 2012, Emily is in 40th place. In the BMGA Strokeplay Order of Merit Richard is up from 22nd place to 13th of 87 players, Emily is in 41st spot. In the BMGA Matchplay Order of Merit Richard is in 9th place of 55 players, with Emily in 37th position.

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Minigolf Report – Richard Gottfried wins the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff

29th June 2012

Press Information

For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Richard Gottfried wins the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff

Crazy Golf competition victory on the rooftop of Selfridges in London.

On Thursday 28th June Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried won the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship Playoff for June on the 9-hole rooftop Crazy Golf course at Selfridges Department Store in London.

Richard Gottfried - Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff Champion

Having achieved one of the best scores during June on the London landmark and cake-themed course, designed by renowned ‘Jelly Mongers’ Bompas & Parr, Richard was invited to play in the three-round, 27-hole contest with eleven other competitors on the Par-21 course. Scoring rounds of 17, a course record equalling 15 and 16 for a total of 48(-15) Richard was three shots ahead of the runner-up.

On the 15th June Richard had scored a round of 18(-3) to qualify for the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship Playoff. In winning the contest he received a trophy along with two signed books by Bompas & Parr.

Richard Gottfried - Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff Winner

Richard said “I’m incredibly happy to have won the Crazy Golf with Bompas & Parr Championship June Playoff. The course is one of the most imaginative I've played and very tricky but I managed to hit eight holes-in-one amongst a few dropped shots. It’s great that Selfridges and Bompas & Parr have re-introduced a Crazy Golf course to the rooftop, as back in the 1930’s Selfridges’ roof was home to one of the UK’s first Minigolf courses. I’m looking forward to playing in more events there this summer and I’d recommend people to give the course a play before it’s gone!”

Playing Hole 9 of the Bompas & Parr Crazy Golf at Selfridges

The course opened at the end of May for The Big Rooftop Tea & Golf Party. The course has been installed on the roof of Selfridges as part of their Big British Bang celebration that is taking place during the summer of 2012. The summer installation will close on Sunday 2nd September.

Playing Hole 1 of the Bompas & Parr Crazy Golf at Selfridges

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Links:

- Selfridges

- Bompas & Parr

- Selfridges Big British Bang

- Selfridges News “The Big Rooftop Tea & Golf Party at Selfridges London" 

Related Blog Posts:

- Playing Minigolf on the Selfridges Rooftop Crazy Golf course!

- Selfridges to get a Crazy Golf course and Tea Room on Rooftop Garden

- Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London

- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Playing Minigolf on the Selfridges Rooftop Crazy Golf course!

Playing the 298th Miniature Golf course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour at the capital’s latest Crazy Golf course atop a roof on Oxford Street!

On the evening of Friday 15th June Emily and I made a highly anticipated visit to the brand new Crazy Golf course that has been installed on the roof of Selfridges as part of their Big British Bang celebration that is taking place during the summer of 2012. The course has only been installed for a three-month period so we thought we’d go there as soon as possible.

On the roof

The Big Rooftop Tea & Golf Party has seen a 9-hole London & Cake-themed Crazy Golf course!? The layout has been designed by world-renowned Jelly Mongers Bompas & Parr who have created the seven wonders of London in cake form as the obstacles!

Having not pre-booked tickets we arrived hoping to play on one of the walk-up tickets, we were initially told to return in half an hour as the course was a little busy so we headed for a wander around the food hall.

A view of the Bompas & Parr Rooftop Crazy Golf course at Selfridges

When we returned we were shown into the lift to gain access to the course and taken to the top floor. The theming and the design of the whole Tea Room and Crazy Golf area is very well done and looks great. The nice and friendly staff welcomed us and went over the process and rules before we paid to play.

Behind the counter there are some huge trophies – these are on offer to winners of the monthly Championship Playoffs! The leaderboard in the Pro Shop had the current leading score at -6, with the course having a par of 21.

Emily at the Tower Bridge hole on the Rooftop Crazy Golf course at Selfridges

After paying we picked up our putters, scorecard, brilliant minigolf pencil and what we were told were the only Gold Golf Balls in the world and headed outside to play the course.

Purple felt!

In our contest Emily scored a very respectable 21(par) which included two holes-in-one, while I won with a round of 18(-3) having shot three aces. There are some very tricky holes on the course and Emily had a little trouble and landed in the water on the 4th hole which is a replica of Tower Bridge! Luckily a fishing net and ball retriever were found and the ball was recovered from the murky depths of the ‘Thames’.

With my score of three-under I added my name to the leaderboard – the current leader had scored a round of 15(-6), while the best score on the 15th June had been a 16(-5). It’s great that the course is adding a competition element to the fun play too.

Emily's favourite hole on the Rooftop Crazy Golf course at Selfridges - Hole 5: St Pinbaul's

The course is well worth a visit, the staff was great and the whole look, feel and design of the course, scorecards and pencils is top notch.

Richard on the Big Ben Rebound hole at the Rooftop Crazy Golf course at Selfridges

The course was the 298th played and 497th visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since September 2006!

Hole 9 of the Rooftop Crazy Golf course at Selfridges

Back in the 1930’s the roof at Selfridges was home to one of the UK’s first Minigolf courses!

The Crazy Golf course is only on the roof of Selfridges until Sunday 2nd September 2012 so I would advise you get along and give it a go – who knows it may be another 80 years until you get a chance to play Minigolf on Selfridges roof!

Related Blog Posts:

- Selfridges to get a Crazy Golf course and Tea Room on Rooftop Garden

- Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London

- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Links:

- Selfridges

- Bompas & Parr

- Selfridges Big British Bang

- Bompas & Parr Crazy Golf News

- Selfridges News “The Big Rooftop Tea & Golf Party at Selfridges London”

Selfridges to get a Crazy Golf course and Tea Room on Rooftop Garden

Minigolf to return to the rooftop of iconic London department store this summer.

Reading Fabulous magazine in The Sun newspaper today I read that Selfridges in London will be installing a Crazy Golf course on the roof as part of The Big British Bang - a celebration of all things British spanning the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympic Games in 2012.

There are more details about The Big British Bang in a news release about the event. Part of The Big British Bang is the 'The Big British Tea Party' where people will be able to experience "The Highest Tea" on Oxford Street and Crazy Golf on Selfridges' Rooftop. The tea room and crazy golf course will be open from the 31st of May to the 2nd of September 2012. The Big British Bang launches on the 4th of May.

Emily and I are looking forward to making a visit as part of our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour! We're also big fans of Tea Rooms so it'll be a double treat.

You can see photos of the 1930's Miniature Golf course on the rooftop garden in a Daily Mail website story here. A mention of the rooftop 'mini golf' course is made on the Selfridges Wikipedia entry too. Having a look for further information online I spotted a mention of the planned miniature golf course at Selfridges on the website of eFIG, the trade association for the Interior Landscaping Industry.

Links:

- Selfridges

- Selfridges 'The Big British Bang' website

- "Selfridges Celebrates the Great in Great Britain 'The Big British Bang'", PRWeb, 13 April 2012

- Selfridges on Wikipedia

- "Boating lake with a view! Selfridges opens rooftop to visitors for first time since WWII", Daily Mail, 22 July 2011

- "Green roofs with a difference at Selfridges, London", eFIG, 2nd April 2012

- The Crazy Golf Museum & The History of Mini Golf

Related Blog Posts:

- Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London

- 85 Years Too Late to Play a Rooftop Putting Green in London

- Great Gluten Free Tea Rooms

- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour