Holiday on the Buses Reunion Mini Golf Competition in Skegness

Report and results from the Holiday on the Buses Reunion Mini Golf Competition in Skegness.

The competitors watch Alan 'Stormin' Norman play hole 2

On the last day of our holiday weekender in Skegness, Lincolnshire we visited the Arnold Palmer Putting Courses on North Parade to complete the two-day Skegness Minigolf Championship. The one-round played on the 18-hole Grass Putting course was also a chance to play the Holiday on the Buses Reunion Mini Golf Competition with local competitors Eric Huckle and Steven Huckle.

The Mini Golf players in Skegness, from l-r Steven Huckle, Richard Gottfried, Emily Gottfried, Eric Huckle, Alan Norman, Brad Shepherd, Seth Thomas, Chris Jones

Brad lining up a shot as Steve plays the previous hole

In September last year we competed in 'The Butler Cup' On The Buses Fan Club Crazy Golf Tournament on the 18-hole Arnold Palmer Minigolf course in Prestatyn, Wales, and we'd planned to meet-up with our friends from the fan club when next in Skegness. In the Prestatyn event Emily had won the 'Pro' category, with Eric winning the 'Am' title.

Emily teeing-off at the Arnold Palmer Putting Course

The results of the Holiday on the Buses Reunion Mini Golf Competition 2015 were:
1. Richard Gottfried = 42(+6)
2. Alan Norman = 45(+9)
2. Brad Shepherd = 45(+9)
4. Chris Jones = 46(+10)
4. Seth Thomas = 46(+10)
6. Emily Gottfried = 49(+13)
7. Eric Huckle = 58(+22)
8. Steven Huckle = 74(+38)

Alan playing hole 14

It was a great fun event on a marvellous minigolf Putting course. We're looking forward to visiting Skegness again in the future.

Related blog posts:
- Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf Courses on the Lincolnshire Coast

- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

- Skegness
- 'The Butler Cup' On The Buses Crazy Golf Tournament
- Crazy Golf in Prestatyn
- Skegness Minigolf Championship 2015 report

Link:

- On the Buses Fan Club

Skegness Minigolf Championship 2015

Report from the Skegness Minigolf Weekender.

The Crazy Mini Golfers in Skegness

Over the weekend of the 9th and 10th of May 2015 we headed to Skegness in Lincolnshire for a seaside outing full of traditional British seaside fun and games.

Four Jolly Fishermen in Bracing Skegness

Part of the trip involved the Skegness Minigolf Championship that saw ten players compete across five-rounds on five courses in the town.

Emily playing one of the hardest holes on the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course

Starting at the Arnold Palmer Putting Courses on Saturday 9th May (which also happened to be National Miniature Golf Day) six of the competitors lined-up on the 18-hole Crazy Golf course.

Alan playing the classic Windmill hole

During round one John 'Big Al' Moore arrived to take over on scoring duties and was ready to compete in round two.

Alan putting on hole 6. The Big Wheel is especially tricky if you don't plan your tee-shot properly. As Chris found out

Brad Shepherd had scored a very good two over par 38 in the first round to take the lead. There was a three-way tie for second place with Emily Gottfried, Richard Gottfried and Seth Thomas all scoring 42. Alan Norman was one-shot further back on 43, with Chris Jones shooting a 45.

Richard playing the Rocket Ship hole

After winning a free game on the lucky last hole, tournament leader Brad led out the groups on the 9-hole Crazy Golf course.

Brad about to Ring The Bell on the Lucky Last Hole

Brad and his winnings

Following the second round there was a tie for first place, with Brad and Seth on 62. Emily was one-shot back on 63.

Seth putting

The grass Putting course at the Arnold Palmer centre would be the final course played in the tournament on the Sunday, so the players then made their way along the prom to course number three - the Pebble Beach Adventure Golf course.

John Moore making a cameo appearance on the Pebble Beach Adventure Golf course

Once again seven players teed-off, with Brad just about arriving in time to play having been waylaid en route between the North Parade and the Pleasure Beach.

Chris playing the tough last hole

The 9-hole Pebble Beach Adventure Golf saw some more close scores and Brad was able to extend his lead by one-shot having scored par. Seth remained in second place after a 19, with Emily, Alan and Richard all scoring 20. John and Chris had disappointing rounds of 24 and 25 respectively.

Richard at Pebble Beach

With a break scheduled, the group played the two shooting shacks in the Pleasure Beach before part of the contingent headed to the town's charity shops, while others went to play some Bingo and have a spot of lunch.

A face full of manky water at the Faulty Repair Shop shooting shack at the Pleasure Beach

The Hill Billy shooting shack fun

Emily with her one and a half wins worth of Bingo prizes - a cheese knife and a building block type toy kit

During the break in play the group was joined by Rhyl's #1 minigolfer Peter 'The Crazy Aced Assassin' Jones who warmed-up for the next round proper in an impromptu Aces Competition on the Original Crazy Golf course on South Parade.

The Crazy Aced Assassin scoring an Ace

The event saw four-players play the 12-hole course using an 11-Wood that Chris had bought in a charity shop as the course was not open (it hadn't been open on the Friday either. It was however open on the Sunday).

A well struck shot from Seth manages to hit Brad

The tied winners of the Aces contest were Peter and Richard who both scored one hole-in-one. In a play-off on hole two Richard managed to score another ace to take the overall victory. Alan and Chris finished in tied second-place after regulation play.

Richard managing to get the ball through the dolphin

With John's stay in Skegness a short one as he had an athletics meeting to attend in Coventry, seven-players continued to the Gold Mine Adventure Golf course at the Pleasure Beach for round four.

Seth putting at the Gold Mine

The Gold Mine would prove a happier hunting ground for Alan and Richard as they tied for the half-win after scoring rounds of 19 on the 9-hole layout.

Richard playing his second shot through a pipe

Brad once again held onto the lead by one-shot from Alan, with Seth a shot further back having scored a 23 at the Gold Mine. Peter Jones scored a 25, with Chris scoring 25, while Emily hit a 29.

Alan playing at the Gold Mine Adventure Golf course

At the end of day one the rankings were:
1. Brad Shepherd = 102
2. Alan Norman = 103
3. Seth Thomas = 104
4. Richard Gottfried = 106
5. Emily Gottfried = 112
6. Chris Jones = 116
7. John Moore = DNS & DNF, but played 18-holes
8. Peter Jones = DNS & DNF, but played 12-holes
Note: These results were also the final rankings of the 2015 National Miniature Golf Day Championship.

After a great night out in Skegness the players awoke ready to play the final of the Skegness Championship. The first round of day two was planned to take place at the Lost World Adventure Park on North Parade. However this was cancelled as the theme park was found to have closed down! The final 18-holes would be played out on the grass Putting course at the Arnold Palmer Putting Centre.

Seth teeing-off on hole 2 of the Arnold Palmer Putting Course

Joining the six players left standing were local competitors Eric Huckle, the 2014 Butler Cup Champion, and Steven Huckle. The round would also constitute the Holiday on the Buses Reunion Mini Golf Competition.

Brad putting

In the Mini Golf Putting course round Richard won with a score of 42. Brad and Alan tied for second-place with rounds of 45. Chris and Seth both hit 46, with Emily on 49. Eric scored 58 and Steven shot a 74.

The podium of the Skegness Minigolf Championship

The overall event went to the wire, with Brad managing to hold off a late challenge from Richard, while Alan narrowly missed forcing a play-off, as Seth's challenge slipped on the grass playing surface.

Brad receives the Skegness Minigolf Championship trophy from reigning Holiday on the Buses Butler Cup Champion Eric Huckle

The final Skegness Minigolf Championship results were:
1. Brad Shepherd = 38+24+18+22+45 = 147
2. Alan Norman = 43+21+20+19+45 = 148
2. Richard Gottfried = 42+25+20+19+42 = 148
3. Seth Thomas = 42+20+19+23+46 = 150
4. Emily Gottfried = 42+21+20+29+49 = 161
5. Chris Jones = 45+19+25+27+46 = 162
6. John Moore = DNS & DNF, but played 18-holes scoring 48
6. Eric Huckle = DNS but played 18-holes scoring 58
6. Steven Huckle = DNS but played 18-holes scoring 74
7. Peter Jones = DNS & DNF, but played 12-holes scoring 25

The Crazy Mini Golfers at the Arnold Palmer Putting Course

All of the players agreed the seaside resort was a marvellous place for a weekend away. With plenty of things to see and do, great places to eat and drink, and a nice pier and beach.

Emily and Seth cleaned up at the Arabian Camel Derby on Skegness Pier

Richard and another mascot

Skegness is the town with the most miniature golf courses in the UK - with a current count of 110-holes, spread over ten Crazy, Mini, Adventure, Putting and Pitch & Putt courses!

Related blog posts:
- Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf Courses on the Lincolnshire Coast

- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

- Skegness
- National Miniature Golf Day Championship report
- Holiday on the Buses Reunion Mini Golf Competition report

Gluten free at Yorkies in Skegness

While in Skegness for a weekend away at the seaside it was great to have some gluten free options for dining out. In advance of my trip I'd received tips about gluten free places on Twitter and Facebook and found that Yorkies Cafe in the town centre had a really good gluten free menu, with lots of options. It was so good I dined there twice.

On my first visit I had a burger and chips. It was brilliant. The chips were delicious. For my second meal I had a Sunday Dinner - a real rarity. It was especially good as nothing was missing from the plate. I had lamb, roast potatoes, boiled potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, a yorkshire pudding and gravy! A proper dinner

There are plenty of gluten free options at Yorkies. I was very impressed with the responses to my questions about the preparation and cooking of the gluten free food. It's always reassuring to have accurate and confident responses to your queries 

On both visits there were other diners choosing gluten free options. That was reassuring to see and hear. Yorkies is well worth a visit 

Related blog posts:
- Gluten Free
- Coeliac
- Funny things about being a Coeliac
- Skegness

Links:
- Coeliac UK
- Lincolnshire Coeliac Group

Crazy Golf on South Parade in Skegness

The Crazy Golf course on Skegness' South Parade is facing closure.

The sign on the prom for 'The Original Crazy Golf' on South Parade in Skegness

Back in the summer of 2011 Emily and I embarked on a mammoth road trip along the Lincolnshire coast. We played a lot of minigolf and visited a number of courses.

Hole 1 of the South Parade Crazy Golf course in Skegness

One of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour visits took us to the Crazy Golf course on South Parade in Skegness. Unfortunately when we visited the course wasn't open, and didn't look like it had been in a while.

The rocket on hole 6

Hole 8 of the Skegness Crazy Golf course

Hole 12 of the South Parade minigolf course layout

Since that visit the course has reopened and has had a bit of a refresh. However, it is under threat of closure and a petition has been set-up to help save it from being turned into a car park. Great spot by the team at Putterfingers.

The Crazy Golf course on South Parade is one of the world's oldest locations to play minigolf and is believed to be the site of England's first course. Set-up in the 1920's the date of its establishment varies from 1922 to 1927. It truly is a piece of living minigolf history. And one I hope is not consigned to history.

How I looked in 2011 when I was unable to play Crazy Golf at the course. I'd look this grumpy again if the course was closed for good

When we visited Camber Sands in 2010 we found the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course had been dug up to make way for a Car Park. On our return last year it was a patch of dusty ground. Such a shame.

We're planning a return trip to Skegness this year and hopefully we'll get a chance to play on the country's first course.

Skegness is something of a mecca for miniature golf. On our visit to the seaside resort we managed to visit and/or play a grand total of twelve Crazy Golf, Minigolf, Adventure Golf, Mini Golf and Putting courses.

On our travels we've been to 589 courses to date and we've played the first two Miniature Golf courses in the world!

The first miniature golf is still in existence and has been playable since 1867. The Himalayas Putting course is at St Andrews in Scotland and is well worth a visit.

The first Pitch & Putt mini golf course is in Southsea, Hampshire and was opened in 1914. Again, it's still there today and is a tricky layout.

For more on the history of Mini Golf check out The Crazy Golf Museum and the extract from Nutters with Putters.

Related blog posts:
- Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf Courses on the Lincolnshire Coast

- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

- Skegness (South Parade) - Crazy Golf - Closed on Visit

- Two Miniature Golf Firsts

Links:

- The Crazy Golf Museum

- MiniatureGolfer

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

Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf Courses on the Lincolnshire Coast

Details of Adventure Golf, Crazy Golf, Minigolf and Putting Green courses that we've visited in Cleethorpes, Mablethorpe, Chapel St Leonards, Skegness, Ingoldmells, Woodhall Spa and Spalding.

In the summer of 2011 our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour took Emily and I to Lincolnshire where we spent a pleasent week touring the seasides, with a few stops inland along the way. As part of our tour of Lincolnshire (and a little bit of Norfolk) we went to seven seasides, visited 34 minigolf and crazy golf courses, played in countless Amusement Arcades and walked along a few Piers too.

At the Jolly Roger Adventure Golf course in Skegness

Note: The numbers below relate to the 'visit number' on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

225 Skellingthorpe (Daisy Made Ice Cream Shop & Drive-Thru) - Crazy Daisy Golf (Swedish Felt B-Run)

226 Cleethorpes (Oddballs) - Crazy Golf

227 Cleethorpes (Fairworld Amusement Arcade) - Adventure Golf

228 Mablethorpe (Queen's Park/Linda's Pavilion) - Crazy Golf

229 Mablethorpe (Sea Front) - Crazy Golf

230 Mablethorpe (Arnold Palmer/Captain Hook's) - Adventure Golf

231 Chapel St Leonards (Sea Dwellers Crazy Golf) - Crazy Golf

232 Chapel St Leonards (Golden Palm Resort Crazy Golf) - Crazy Golf

233 Skegness (North Shore Caravan Park) - Miniature Golf

234 Skegness (Arnold Palmer) - Crazy Golf

235 Skegness (Arnold Palmer) - Putting

236 Skegness (Arnold Palmer) - Crazy Golf

237 Skegness (Jolly Roger) - Adventure Golf (Skull Trail)

238 Skegness (Jolly Roger) - Adventure Golf (Treasure Trail)

239 Skegness (Bottons Pleasure Beach) - Gold Mine Adventure Golf (Adventure Putting) & Cactus Canyon River Ride

240 Ingoldmells (Fantasy Island) - Crazy Golf

241 Woodhall Spa (Bainland Country Park) - 5 Star Crazy Golf - RICHARD SCORES A 'PERFECT' ROUND, WITH 9 HOLES-IN-ONE IN A ROW!

242 Woodhall Spa (Bainland Country Park) - Putting

243 Spalding (Springfields) - Secret Garden Adventure Golf

On the same roadtrip we finished up in Hunstanton where we were able to play a further five Miniature Golf courses.

244 Hunstanton (Victorian Pavilion) - Putting

245 Hunstanton (Victorian Pavilion) - Crazy Golf

246 Hunstanton (Blackbeard's Adventure Golf) - Adventure Golf (Aztec Course)

247 Hunstanton (Blackbeard's Adventure Golf) - Adventure Golf (Pirate Course)

248 Hunstanton (Vegas Amusement Arcade) - Crazy Golf

During the trip we visited the following courses, but were unable to play them for a variety of reasons (details and links below).

- Cleethorpes (Arnold Palmer) - Crazy Golf - Closed on Visit

- Cleethorpes (Terry's Traditional) - Crazy Golf - Closed on Visit

- Cleethorpes (Terry's Traditional) - Putting - Closed on Visit

- Cleethorpes (Thorpe Park Haven Caravan Park) - Putting - £10 Day Rate To Use Facilities - Not Enough Time on Roadtrip

- Cleethorpes (Thorpe Park Haven Caravan Park) - Adventure Golf - £10 Day Rate To Use Facilities - Not Enough Time on Roadtrip

- Cleethorpes (Thorpe Park Haven Caravan Park) - Crazy Golf - £10 Day Rate To Use Facilities - Not Enough Time on Roadtrip

- Mablethorpe (Queen's Park/Linda's Pavilion) - Putting - No Flags Out - Not Fully Open

- Sutton on Sea - Crazy Golf - Demolished

- Chapel St Leonards (Lakeside Boating Lake) - Crazy Golf - Derelict

- Skegness (North Shore Caravan Park) - Mini Golf - Pitch & Putt - Also home to "The Pitch And Putt Inn"

- Skegness (Pebble Adventure Golf) - Adventure Golf - Closed on Visit

- Skegness (South Parade) - Crazy Golf - Closed on Visit

- Skegness (South Parade) - Putting - Closed on Visit

- Skegness (South Parade) - Pitch & Putt - No Time Left To Play

- Long Sutton (The Butterfly and Wildlife Park) - Closed on Visit

On our trip to Lincolnshire we also visited the smallest pub on the planet - The Signal Box Inn - in Cleethorpes. Following our visit I sent them a mini-Miniature Golf course for their games area!

Mini Golf on a Roof Terrace at The Portobello Gold Hotel & Crazy Golf at Alexandra Palace

Ahead of our trip to London last Saturday for the UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships I had a quick look online to see if London is home to any new Minigolf courses since my last visit and online search. I found out it is!

In fact I spotted two new Miniature Golf courses in London.

According to the eventful website the Portobello Gold Hotel has a Mini Golf course on its roof and calls it an 'eccentric touch'.

We headed along to the Portobello Gold pub and hotel and asked about the Mini Golf at the bar, only to be told that the course is on one of the hotel room balconies, so unfortunately we couldn't have a play of it. We did however get warmed-up with a few lunchtime drinks ahead of the evening's big sporting event at the RPS Championships!

The other course I found on my web search is at Alexandra Palace and is an 18-hole Crazy Golf course. We didn't have time to get along to have a game there, but have added it to our 'to visit' list.

Alexandra Palace is also home to what I have heard is a very good Pitch & Putt course, and a Putting Green. both of which are run by Golfwise, a company which runs a number of Pitch & Putt courses around the country. We've visited their site in Chelmsford, in 2009, and we had time to play a few of the holes on the course, which was in great condition and very testing. Back in 2010 we also visited the site in Upminster which is still currently closed. On our roadtrip to Lincolnshire earlier this year we ran out of time and didn't manage to play their other Pitch & Putt course on South Parade in Skegness.

Rleated blog posts:
- Miniature Golf & Crazy Golf Courses in London
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Putting and a Pitch & Putt on South Parade, Skegness

Skegness is home to two Pitch and Putt-type Mini Golf courses (that we found).

The Pitch & Putt on the South Parade was closed on our visit on Friday 20th May, but was open on the 21st May. However, with a Crazy Golf course to play in Ingoldmells and a lot of ground to cover on the road to Hunstanton, Norfolk we didn't have time to play it.

As well as the Pitch & Putt, there is also a Putting Practice Area, however, the flags were not out for this, even on the Saturday. Perhaps it was a little too early in the season.

Related blog posts:
- List of courses visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf Courses on the Lincolnshire Coast