Showing posts with label Shenanigans. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shenanigans. Show all posts

Sunday, June 26, 2016

Playing Crazy Golf on Southend Pier

A visit to the miniature golf course at the end of Southend Pier.


On Saturday 25th June we headed to the seaside town of Southend on Sea for a day out of fun and games. Starting with a visit to the new Southend Pier Crazy Golf course - 1.3 miles out at sea!

Olga the Octopus

Emily in action on the pier's latest attraction

The 12-hole layout is on the world's longest pleasure pier and is brilliant fun.

Putting through Olga the Octopus

It's a great layout and even though there are some tough holes and obstacles, there are still plenty of hole in one opportunities.



The course became the 402nd played and 683rd visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

A hole in one


During our visit we competed in a 12-player contest to crown the end of the pier champion. Featuring a cast of veterans, GB internationals, national tour champions and a sprinkling of rookies, the highly competitive event saw me take the win. Former British Master Chris Jones and regular 'do' champion Brad Shepherd were second and third.

The competitors give the course a double thumbs up

Results of the Southend Pier Invitational Tournament 2016:
1st ‘Squire’ Richard Gottfried – 31
2nd Chris ‘Stretch’ Jones – 34
3rd Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – 37
4th (tied) Lionel ‘The Spoon’ Bender – 39
4th (tied) Gareth ‘Lemsip’ Holmes – 39
6th (tied) Marc ‘The Roller’ Bazeley – 42
6th (tied) Alan ‘Stormin’ Norman – 42
8th Taji ‘Not Seth’ Rafferty – 44
9th Emily ‘Lemony’ Gottfried – 46
10th Paul ‘Flip Flops’ O’Connor – 50
11th Cat ‘Helter Skelter’ Patterson – 52
12th Lhurlyn 'Hole-ing' Holmes – 59
DNS Madeleine 'The Caddy' Bender
DNS Steve 'F1' Gow

The tournament in full swing

Gareth on hole 1

Brad teeing-off

Chris lining up a putt

Lionel in action

Brad on a tricky obstacle
 
Chris and Lionel putting

Emily on the tee

Marc on a very tough middle hill hole

Emily on the pier

Emily and Olga

Lhurlyn finishing her round with a hole in one

Paul O'Connor on the last hole

The Southend Pier Crazy Golf course is well worth a play and it's a great addition to the entertainment on offer in the town. Visit the Southend Pier Crazy Golf course website for prices and opening times.

The pier Crazy Golf course

Video:
- Southend Pier Crazy Golf course hole in one

Links:
Southend Pier Crazy Golf website
- Southend Pier Crazy Golf on Facebook

Related blog posts:
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Southend
- Southend Pier Crazy Golf course

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.

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Tuesday, December 09, 2014

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club

Report from the Minigolfer's Christmas 'Do' 2014.

The players after the London Skittles competition at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Crazy Skittlers

This year our annual festive jaunt took us to The Freemasons Arms, home to London's last remaining Skittle Alley and the historic Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club.

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Emily playing London Skittles

After reading about the game some years ago and a visit to the pub after a Hopping tournament in 2012 we made the booking to play a game of London Skittles in the basement alley for our Christmas tournament.

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd launches into action

With reigning champion Emily leading one team and multiple-time former winner of Christmas shenanigans Brad captaining the other the other players were picked by number before we got straight into playing.

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
'Squire' Richard throwing a little off course

Emily led the proceedings and with a choice of three different 'cheeses' stepped up and scored an end of 5 with her three goes to get the competition underway.

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
A pair of 'Cheeses'

The winner's of the team tournament were 'Lemony's Lobbers' who defeated 'Team Frugal' with a scoreline of 178 to 176!

Lemony's Lobbers - 2014 Christmas 'Do' Champions. From l-r Jon Angel, Steve Gow, Alan Norman, John Moore, Emily Gottfried, Richard Gottfried at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Lemony's Lobbers - 2014 Christmas 'Do' Champions. From l-r Jon Angel, Steve Gow, Alan Norman, John Moore, Emily Gottfried, Richard Gottfried

This year's losers and runners-up, Team Frugal. From l-r Paul O'Connor, Chris Jones, Brad Shepherd, Trevor 'Lord of Smeeth' Robertson, Richard Linden, Seth Thomas at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
This year's losers and runners-up, Team Frugal. From l-r Paul O'Connor, Chris Jones, Brad Shepherd, Trevor 'Lord of Smeeth' Robertson, Richard Linden, Seth Thomas

The overall individual was once again Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd with a total of 44, having been the only player to score a double-digit end in the two-hour tournament. Newcastle's John Moore and Surrey's Steve Gow tied for second.

The Big Cheese - Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
The Big Cheese - Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd

Baby Bel - Alan 'Stormin' Norman at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Baby Bel - Alan 'Stormin' Norman

Our instructor for the evening, Pete, was a great coach and referee giving us plenty of hints & tips and history of the game and venue. We also learned some of the terminology of the game for good shots, bad shots, pin layouts and more.

The final scores of the London Skittles competition at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
The final scores

We'd definitely play again and recommend London Skittles at the Freemasons Arms as a great night out.

The Freemasons Arms in Hampstead, home of the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
The Freemasons Arms, Hampstead

Check out the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club website for more information on London Skittles and for booking enquiries, as well as some videos showing the game as it was in the 1930's and as it is now.

The Lawn Billiards game that forms part of the club's name is a long extinct sport, but you can still view Lawn Billiards artifacts in the club's alley.

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
While one team is throwing, two of the opposing team's players act as pin setters and cheese returners

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Emily readying herself for a lob

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Richard preparing for a shot

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
John Moore getting in the swing

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Five scored

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Pin setting and cheese rolling

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Chris 'Stretch' Jones on a leisurely stroll up the alley

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Trevino in action

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Big Al in full flight

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Jon Angel with a great shot up the middle
  
London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
Alan 'Stormin' Norman throwing a cheese

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
London Skittles team competition results

London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
London Skittles individual competition results

Minigolfer's Christmas Shenanigans Hall of Fame
2014 - Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd - London Skittles Individual Championship
2014 - Lemony's Lobbers (Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried, Alan 'Stormin' Norman, John 'Big Al' Moore, Jon 'Occasional' Angel, 'Big' Stevie Gow) - London Skittles Team Championship
2013 – Emily ‘Lemony’ Gottfried – World Boules Le Noël Champignonship
2012 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Riverclose Worlds UnProfessional Minigolfer's Darts Championship
2011 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Rivernear Worlds Professional Crazy Golfers Darts Championships
2010 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Christmas Minigolf 9-Hole Putting Green Sudden Death Challenge
2010 – Keith 'Doc' Kellard & Jon 'El Pato' Angel (Team KJ Choice) – Sim BIG Golf Par-3's of the World Doubles Challenge
2009 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Christmas-themed Crazy Golf at Devonshire Square
Before Records Began – Lionel ‘The Spoon’ Bender – Crazy Golf Contest

Links
- London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
- London Skittles on Facebook
- The Freemasons Arms, Hampstead

Related blog posts:
- Report from the Minigolfer’s Annual Christmas Shenanigans ‘Do’ in London 2013
- The Minigolfer’s Annual Christmas Darts ‘Do’ 2012 in London
- Crazy Golfers Christmas 'Do' in London 2011 - Darts Tournament at Rileys Victoria!
- The Minigolfers Christmas 'Do' 2010
- 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge at Devonshire Square
- A London Pub & Jumble Sale Crawl
- Another New Game Played - Northamptonshire Skittles
- Behold...
- Tenpin Bowling

Friday, December 13, 2013

Report from the Minigolfer’s Annual Christmas Shenanigans ‘Do’ in London

Emily ‘Lemony Lems’ Gottfried wins the World Boules Le Noël Champignon title.


On Thursday 12th December 2013 a group of Minigolfers met for the traditional Christmas ‘Do’ in London.

In previous years the festive shenanigans have seen the athletes competing in Minigolf, Darts, Golf Simulation and Putting. This year’s tournament would be in the fine French sport of Pétanque.

The eight competitors met at the excellent Knights Templar Wetherspoon pub on Chancery Lane (itself the host venue to the 2012 International Rock Paper Scissors Championships and the 2011 Sportingbet UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships), a venue ideally located as it was next door but one to the location of the Boules Piste at Baranis.

However, prior to the Pétanque action dinner was on the cards and so the group headed on a twenty minute amble to Clerkenwell for a slap-up Vietnamese meal at the excellent Pho Cafe. A great restaurant with excellent service, very tasty food, lots of gluten free options and big portions.

The Shenanigan gang in their best bib and tucker at Pho

With a short trip to Cambridgeshire (by visiting Ye Olde Mitre Tavern in Hatton Garden) on the way back to Baranis the players were ready to play some Boules.

Drinking an Absinthe Cocktail was perhaps not the best idea for Squire who crashed out in round one. The Cocktails seemed to do the trick for Jon though as he didn't lose until the final

With a few late withdrawals from the tournament, and the potential attendance of Mr Christmas himself Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd, the draw-master Trevor ‘Trevino Smeeth’ Robertson set about with the draw for the quarter-finals of the “World Boules Le Noël Champignonship”.

The night's losers

The first match saw Jon ‘The Stance’ Angel play Trevor ‘Cheddar’ Robertson in a first to three-points contest. A closely fought affair saw Trevor stay true to form and become the first player eliminated from the tournament as John won 3-2.

Trevino bouleing at the 'Le Jacque'

The second contest saw Keith ‘Doc’ Kellard whitewashed by Martin ‘Smashing’ Robertson 3-0. This freed up Keith to take up refereeing duties for the rest of the evening.

Keith Kellard got whitewashed in the Petanque, but at least gets a photo of him in action in this blog post

Match three saw Emily ‘Lems’ Gottfried destroy Alan ‘Not so Stormin’ Norman 4-0 in the biggest win of the quarter finals.

The final match of the opening round saw shenanigan organiser ‘Squire’ Richard Gottfried drawn to play Chris ‘Stretch’ Jones. In a match that went to the wire a loose boule by Gottfried allowed Stretch to pick up a total of four points to Squire’s two and move into the semi-finals.

Squire Petanqueing

Semi-final one saw Jonathon Angle against Martin Robertson in a first to four-point match. With Martin looking to smash Angel into the gravel of the Piste by taking a three-one lead some amazing Pétanqueing by Jon saw him score three-points in one end to take the win 4-3.

The second semi-final was a short match indeed as Emily battled Chris. In the second end Lemony scored three points to take the win 4-0.

The dusty shoed referees make a decision

So, the La Grande Final was to be a battle between the two shortest competitors, with Jon 'Johnny Foreigner' Angel to play Madame Lemony in a first to six-points contest.

With Monsieur Angel qualifying for the final first he had the honour of throwing first. The match was so close it was impossible to predict who would win and with the score level at four apiece an impromptu one-throw of Rock Paper Scissors was needed to see who would throw first in the next end. Angel won with a throw of scissors to Gottfried’s paper and so the match built to its conclusion.

In the final end of the tournament Madame Lemony threw some cracking shots and took the win and overall tournament victory with a 6-4 scoreline.

Lemony receives the Tiara, earrings and a big kiss off of Chris Jones! Ooh la la

Having won the big night out Emily was the unfortunate recipient of the prize – that had been specifically procured with what was thought to be Brad’s inevitable victory in mind.

The losing finalist John Angle

And so, another year’s Christmas ‘do’ drawing close the players began to concoct ideas of how to topple Lems from her lofty perch atop the world of crazy Minigolfer’s side-tournaments. With one potential option being some Ping Pong.

A beret wearing Emily - winner of the Grand Final of Boules

But the night wasn’t yet over, as there was time left on the Piste the Repechage competition could begin!

Each of the losing seven players could earn the chance for a shot at glory by winning “La Conférence".

In match one of The Plate bracket first round loser ‘Pernod’ Ricard Gottfried defeated Keith ‘Red Hot Chilli Pepper’ Kellard 1-0.

Alan ‘The Shark’ Norman beat Trevino Smeethino 1-0 in the other Plate semi-final to set-up a final match with the Squire. In the thrilling end of play Norman stormed to victory 1-0.

In The Shield competition between the two losing semi-finalists Chris ‘Red Wine’ Jones beat Martin ‘Smashing’ Robertson 1-0 to progress to La Conférence final.

The best of the worst title final was won in fine fashion by Alain who was able to pick up a 1-0 win against ‘Ooh la la’ Chris Jones.

As the official languages of sport are English and French please see below for a hastily translated version of the above report en Français.

Rapport annuel de la malice de Noël Do de la Minigolfer à Londres

Emily ‘Lemony Lems’ Gottfried remporte le titre Mondial de Pétanque Le Noël Champignon.


Le Jeudi 12 Décembre 2013, un groupe de Minigolfers s'est réuni pour la traditionnelle 'Do' Noël à Londres.

Dans les années précédentes, les manigances de fête ont vu les athlètes dans Minigolf, fléchettes , simulation de golf et putting. Le tournoi de cette année serait de l'amende sport français de pétanque.

Les huit concurrents réunis au pub excellents Templiers Wetherspoon sur Chancery Lane (lui-même le lieu d'accueil pour les Rock Paper Scissors Championnats Internationaux de 2012 et les Sportingbet Royaume-Uni Rock Paper Scissors Championnats 2011), un lieu idéalement situé car il était à côté mais à l'emplacement de la pétanque Piste à Baranis.

Toutefois , avant l'action dîner Pétanque était sur les cartes et si le groupe dirigé sur vingt minutes amble à Clerkenwell pour un repas vietnamien slap-up à l'excellent Pho Café. Un grand restaurant avec un excellent service, très savoureux, beaucoup de plats sans gluten et de grandes portions.

Le gang tromperie dans leur meilleur dossard et tucker à Pho

Avec un court voyage à Cambridgeshire (en visitant Ye Olde Mitre Tavern à Hatton Garden) sur le chemin du retour à Baranis les joueurs étaient prêts à jouer quelques boules.

Boire un cocktail d'absinthe était peut-être pas la meilleure idée pour Squire qui s'est écrasé au premier tour. Les Cocktails semblaient faire l'affaire pour Jon même si, comme il n'a pas perdu jusqu'à la finale

Avec quelques retraits fin du tournoi , et la présence potentielle de M. Noël lui-même Brad "Le Poing" Shepherd, le tirage au sort maître Trevor ' Trevino Smeeth ' Robertson mis sur le tirage au sort des quarts de finale de la "World pétanque Le Noël Champignonship".

Les perdants de la nuit

Le premier match a vu Jon 'Le Stance' Angel jouer le ‘Cheddar’ Robertson Trevor dans un premier concours de trois points. Une affaire très serrée vu Trevor rester fidèle à former et devenir le premier joueur éliminé du tournoi que John a gagné 3-2.

Trevino bouleing au 'Le Jacque'

Le deuxième concours a vu Keith 'Doc' Kellard blanchi par Martin ‘Smashing' Robertson 3-0. Cette libéré Keith pour assumer des fonctions d'arbitrage pour le reste de la soirée.

Keith Kellard s'est blanchie à la chaux dans la pétanque, mais au moins reçoit une photo de lui en action dans ce blog

Match à trois a vu Emily ‘Lems’ Gottfried détruire Alan 'Pas si Stormin’ Norman 4-0 dans la plus grande victoire des quarts de finale.

Le dernier match de la manche d'ouverture a vu la tromperie organisateur ‘Squire’ Richard Gottfried tiré à jouer Chris 'Stretch' Jones. Dans un match qui est allé au fil d'un terrain de pétanque en vrac par Gottfried autorisés extensible pour ramasser un total de quatre points à Squire deux et de passer en demi-finale.

Squire Pétanqueing

Une demi-finale a vu Jonathon Angle contre Martin Robertson dans un premier à quatre points correspondance. Avec Martin cherche à briser ange dans le gravier de la piste en prenant un trois-un conduit certains Pétanqueing étonnant par Jon a vu marquer trois points dans une fin pour remporter la victoire 4-3.

La deuxième demi-finale était un match court en effet que Emily a lutté contre Chris. Dans la seconde extrémité Lemony a marqué trois points pour prendre la victoire 4-0.

Les arbitres ferrés poussiéreux prendre une décision

Donc, La Grande finale devait être une bataille entre les deux concurrents les plus courtes , avec Johnny Foreigner Angel Jon jouer madame Lemony dans un premier concours de six points.

Avec Monsieur Ange qualification pour la finale d'abord, il a eu l'honneur de lancer en premier. Le match était si proche qu'il était impossible de prédire qui va gagner et avec le niveau de partition à quatre chacun un impromptu d'un coup de Rock Paper Scissors est nécessaire pour voir qui jettent la première fois dans la fin prochaine. Ange a gagné avec un coup de ciseaux à papier de Gottfried et si le match a construit à sa conclusion.

En fin de finale du tournoi Mme Lemony jeté quelques coups de craquage et a remporté la victoire et la victoire finale de tournoi avec un score de 6-4.

Lemony reçoit le diadème, boucles d'oreilles et un gros bisou hors de Chris Jones! Ooh la la

Après avoir remporté le grand soir Emily a été la malheureuse récipiendaire du prix – qui avait été spécifiquement acquis avec ce qui a été pensé pour être la victoire inévitable de Brad à l'esprit.

Un béret portant Emily - vainqueur de la Grande Finale de Pétanque

Et oui, Noël une autre année 'ne' se rapprochant les joueurs ont commencé à concocter des idées sur la façon de renverser Lems de son perchoir au sommet du monde de side- tournois de fou Minigolfer. Avec une option de potentiel étant certains de ping-pong.

Mais la nuit n'était pas encore terminée , car il y avait de temps sur la piste de la concurrence repêchage pourrait commencer !

Chacun des sept joueurs perdants pourraient gagner la chance pour un coup à la gloire en remportant "La Conférence".

En correspondre à un des Support de plaque premier perdant tour de Pernod Ricard Gottfried défait Keith 'Red Hot Chilli Pepper' Kellard 1-0.

Alan ‘The Shark’ Norman battu Trevino Smeethino 1-0 dans la plaque autre demi-finale à mettre en place un dernier match avec le Squire. En fin palpitante du jeu Norman a pris d'assaut à la victoire 1-0.

Dans La compétition Shield entre les deux demi-finalistes perdants Jones Chris 'Vin Rouge' a battu Martin ' Smashing ' Robertson 1-0 pour passer à la Conférence finale.

Le meilleur du pire titre final a été remporté de belle façon par Alain qui était capable de ramasser une victoire de 1-0 contre les ‘Ooh la la’ Chris Jones.

Fin.

Crazy Golfers Christmas Do/Shenanigans Hall of Fame
2013 – Emily ‘Lemony’ Gottfried – World Boules Le Noël Champignonship
2012 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Riverclose Worlds UnProfessional Minigolfer's Darts Championship
2011 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Rivernear Worlds Professional Crazy Golfers Darts Championships
2010 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Christmas Minigolf 9-Hole Putting Green Sudden Death Challenge
2010 – Keith Kellard & Jon Angel (Team KJ Choice) – Sim BIG Golf Par-3's of the World Doubles Challenge
2009 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Christmas-themed Crazy Golf at Devonshire Square
Before Records Began – Lionel ‘The Spoon’ Bender – Crazy Golf Contest

Links:
- The Knights Templar
- Pho Cafe
- Baranis
- English Pétanque Association

Related blog posts:
- The Minigolfer’s Annual Christmas Darts ‘Do’ 2012 in London
- Crazy Golfers Christmas 'Do' in London 2011 - Darts Tournament at Rileys Victoria!
- The Minigolfers Christmas 'Do' 2010
- 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge at Devonshire Square
- PetanquePétanque
- Boules
- Rock Paper Scissors