Monday, December 13, 2010

Ipswich Minigolf course 'finds' on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

On Saturday 11th December 2010 we headed back to Ipswich and while there we popped along to the Suffolk Leisure Park as we'd heard there was a Mini Golf Putting Course there.

Mini Golf at Suffolk Ski Centre in Ipswich
When we arrived we were surprised to see there was also a brand new Minigolf/Crazy Golf course being built!





Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
The course is that new that the holes themselves have yet to be cut out!
Mini Golf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich




The Putting Course/Green was unplayable as it was out-of-season.

Mini Golf Putting course at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich
Mini Golf Putting course at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich




We're looking forward to visiting and playing the new Minigolf course when we return to Ipswich.

We also found a couple of Putting Greens just outside of Ipswich on Sunday - at the Fynn Valley Golf Club in Witnesham (near Westerfield).

Back on the 24th July 2010 we played a portable Crazy Golf course in Ipswich's Christchurch Park.

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Playing Minigolf at Suffolk Leisure Park in Ipswich

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Two videos of our matches at the World Series of Pong Slam Jam Grand Final

Videos of our opening two matches at the World Series of Pong Slam Jam Grand Final





Blog post about the World Series of Pong Slam Jam Grand Final.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Played #52 Tampere, Finland - Swedish Felt

The 52nd Minigolf Course visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour was the Swedish Felt course at the Manse RG Club in Tampere, Finland where we played for Great Britain in the 2008 Nations Cup competition.







The story of the Rotten Shark Classic!

Following the first days play in the Nations Cup tournament, the Great Britain Team and its entourage headed to the Viking Restaurant - Harald - in Tampere, where we asked for the Viking Speciality, which turned out to be Rotten Shark and Aquavit!!!

Only three of the team were brave (daft) enough to try it, with myself, Andy 'Sarge' Booth and Tim 'Ace Man' Davies eating the rotten shark and earning ourselves a place on the 'Wall of Fame' as people who had completed the dish!





After the main Nations Cup tournament had finished, the Great Britain Team played the Rotten Shark Classic tournament over one round of the 18-hole Swedish Felt course. Sean Homer and Steve Gow tied for the lead, with Sean picking up the win on Aces.

Results of the Rotten Shark Classic (The unofficial 2008 British Swedish Felt Run Championships)
1. Sean Homer 46 (GBR)(6 Aces)
2. Steve Gow (GBR) 46 (4 Aces)
3. Jouni Valkjarvi (FIN) 48 (1 Ace)
4. Richared Gottfried (GBR) 51 (2 Aces) (7’s 1)
5. Tim Davies (GBR) 53 (2 Aces)
6. Emily Gottfried (GBR) 64 (1 Ace) (7’s 1)
7. Ted McIver (GBR) 65 (2 Aces) (7’s 4)
8. Andy Booth (GBR)75 (7’s 6)
9. Alex Barr (GBR) 78 (1 Ace) (7’s 4) (cameraman)
10. Matt (GBR) 85 (7’s 7) (journo)

On the 9th May 2009 five members of the 2008 Nations Cup squad played in the first Tampere Reunion Classic competition at Wroxham Barns, Norfolk.

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Played #51 Tampere, Finland - Eternit

The 51st Minigolf Course visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour was the Eternit (Miniaturegolf) course at the Manse RG Club in Tampere, Finland where we played for Great Britain in the 2008 Nations Cup competition.







On the 9th May 2009 five members of the 2008 Nations Cup squad played in the first Tampere Reunion Classic competition at Wroxham Barns, Norfolk.

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Played #50 Tampere, Finland - Beton

The Landmark 50th Minigolf Course visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour was the Beton (Concrete) Miniature Golf course at the Manse RG Club in Tampere, Finland where we played for Great Britain in the 2008 Nations Cup competition.





While in Tampere we also played the Eternit (Miniaturegolf) course (in the Nations Cup itself), and the Swedish Felt (Felt Golf) course at the Manse RG course.


On the 9th May 2009 five members of the 2008 Nations Cup squad played in the first Tampere Reunion Classic competition at Wroxham Barns, Norfolk.

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Adventure Golf at Watford TopGolf - change to Hole 18

I had a round of minigolf at the 18-hole Adventure Golf course at TopGolf in Watford, Herts this evening.

The 18th hole on the Adventure Golf has changed since I last played there in July 2010. The shot used to be straight through the two rocks (where a good shot would be rewarded with a hole-in-one), you now have to lay up in front of the new 'ball collecting' tunnel, with an Ace being nigh on impossible.

It was very icy at the course today too:
Photo 1
Photo 2

The Indoor Putting Course had also had a Christmas Tree put up in the middle of it.

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Gluten Free Ales, Beers and Lagers

Details of Gluten Free Ale, Beer and Lager that I've 'sampled' since being diagnosed as a Coeliac *hic*

Having had two bottles of Mongozo Gluten Free Pilsener bought for me I thought I'd give a run down of the other Gluten Free Ales, Beers and Lagers I've tried since being a Coeliac (as people 'Intolerant to Gluten' can't drink 'normal' Beer/Lager).

Gluten Free Ale, Beer and Lager
Enjoying a Redbridge Beer at The Yardhouse in Las Vegas in 2010

I must admit that I do like all of them, they all taste like 'the real thing'. Reading reviews in Crossed Grain magazine some people in 'taste tests' rated some more highly than others, but I can't say I'd avoid any of them. I do have a particular favourite in Redbridge Beer, but that's only available in the US.

I was a big fan of all types of lager, beer and ale before I was diagnosed as a Coeliac, so it is nice to know there are brewers out there providing for Coeliac customers.

Here's a list and links of those I've tried to date:


Hambleton’s Gluten Free Ale (GFA) and Gluten Free Lager (GFL) - I've tried both.

Green's Gluten Free Beers - I've tried both their of their new Premium Golden Ale and the Premium Pils. Previously I've tried a few of their other beers, including Pioneer and Trailblazer. Green's do have a wide-range, further details below.




CELIA at The Regent Pub in London

- Green's Supreme Golden Ale - on sale in a Sainsbury's in Birmingham

- Daas Blond Beer

Many of these beers and lagers are available in major supermarkets, although stock levels are generally quite low.

I've yet to try the following UK beers and lagers (they're definitely on my 'To Drink' list):












Stringers Brewery - Plan B - I heard about it via twitter in March 2012 from North Herts CAMRA & Stingers Beer - the beer will be available at the 2012 Hitchin Beer & Cider Festival on the 9th & 10th of March.

While in Las Vegas we tried Redbridge Beer which was great, and we picked up a case of Bard's Beer, which was nice too.

While writing this blog post I also spotted this excellent list of Gluten Free Beers on the Gluten Free Diet website. I can't wait to work my way through that list too!

I found out via twitter that the Orange Tree Pub in Baldock, Herts can cater for Coeliacs, with both food and drink, as they also serve Gluten Free beer and lager.

My 'working expertise' on gluten free alcohol is brought to the fore in the GFree Radio show
Enjoying a bottle of gluten free beer

In November 2014 the excellent GFree Radio Show had a gluten free drinks special and I was a guest on the show to discuss alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. You can listen to the show at 'GFree Radio episode 80: Our #GF drinks special'.

Non-Gluten Free, but Beer (and Minigolf) related Blog Posts:

Non-Gluten Free and just about Beer-related Blog Post:

Gluten Free Food & Drink-related Blog Posts:
- Great Gluten Free Tea Rooms

Links:
- For more information about Coeliac Disease please visit the Coeliac UK website.
- The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has a list of Gluten Free Beers on its website.

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf Courses in and around Blackpool

Details of Adventure Golf, Crazy Golf, Minigolf and Putting Green courses that we've visited in and around Blackpool.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach Adventure Golf course in 2008
Playing the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Adventure Golf course in 2008

On our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour we've visited the wonderful seaside resort of Blackpool, Lancashire twice. Both visits were to play in the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Open minigolf tournament at the Pleasure Beach Adventure Golf Course.

While in Blackpool we've been able to play (or at least visit) all of the courses on offer in the town, and a lot of those in surrounding areas.

Details below:
151 Blackpool (Golden Isle) - Indoor Adventure Golf
Visited Lytham St Anne’s - Crazy Golf #2
Visited Blackpool (Gynn Gardens) - Crazy Golf - Closed for the season
Visited Blackpool (Gynn Gardens) - Putting Course - Closed for the season
Visited Blackpool (Metropole) - Crazy Golf - Closed for the season
Visited Bispham (Queens Road Promenade) - Crazy Golf - Demolished
Visited Bispham (Near Norbreck Station) - Putting Course - No longer there
Visited Bispham (Anchorsolme Park) - Putting Course
Visited Bispham (Anchorsolme Park) - Mini Golf / Pitch & Putt - Not yet open for season
Visited Fleetwood - Crazy Golf - Not yet open for season
Visited Fleetwood - Mini Golf / Pitch & Putt - Not yet open for season

We first visited the Pleasure Beach's brand new Adventure Golf course for the inaugural Pleasure Beach Open in 2008, and on our return to the course in 2009 I won the competition!

Other Links:

Dodgeball in Luton - End of the 2010 Season

It was the final Dodgeball session of the 2010 season/GETBACKINTO Dodgeball Programme in Luton last night. My team suffered an 11-3 loss in games (438-3 on points!?).

A new GETBACKINTO Dodgeball Programme will be starting-up in late January 2011. Check out http://bit.ly/g7rXRp for more information about GETBACKINTO Dodgeball/Team Beds & Luton

The 'Graduates' of the current GETBACKINTO Dodgeball Group in Luton will be starting a weekly 'Club Night' in early January 2011, with a league to follow :-)

My GETBACKINTO Dodgeball Win-Loss Record stands at: Played-117, Won-55, Lost-62

My all-time (2005-2010) Dodgeball Win-Loss Record stands at: Played-219, Won-94, Tied-7, Lost-118

Dodgeball - Then & Now.

Monday, December 06, 2010

The London-Lu(x)ton Connection play in the 'World Series of Pong' Ping Pong Tournament in Tooting!


On Saturday 4th December 2010 me and Paddington's Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd headed to the Tooting Tram & Social Bar in Tooting, London to take part in the "World Series of Pong" Slam Jam Grand Final Ping Pong tournament!

The prized WSOPong Trophy!


The competition saw teams of two play first-to-nine-points matches, with the final match played in a best-of-three games format. Our team - The Luxton & District (aka The London-Lu(x)ton Connection) - lined up to face-off against 49 other teams who had won through the qualifiers, and some other 'Wildcards'. We were drawn in Group C, playing on Table 1, alongside the teams of Bjorn Again, Team Chris & Mike and The Maccabees.

With costumes and fancy dress a big part of the World Series of Pong we had gone for an 'On The Buses'-themed Team Name and Kit. However, the snowy weather meant that our team outfit remained in Southsea, and we had no time to source a new kit. Brad did however manage to find some Native American Indian Head-dresses in a Tooting Charity Shop 30 minutes before play began, which, while making us look like a couple of extras in a Village People video, did at least distract some of the spectators away from our play and allowed us to roll-out some "How" 'jokes', along the lines of '"How"...the bloody hell are we going to win this match', and '"How"...are we supposed to play in such unwieldy headwear' etc. etc. Another came from Brad, who had 'Reservations' about the hats - bah dum chaa.



First up in the group was a match pitting us against the team of Bjorn Again, a Ping pong contest that will go down in history, as the team of Bjorn Again demolished us 9-0! The first step on the path that would lead them to ultimate victory as WSOPong Champions!

A final pre-match team talk ahead of the 9-0 drubbing by 'Sweden's' Bjorn Again


After the defeat Brad and I picked ourselves up, adjusted our Native American Indian Head-dresses and got ready for match two, this time against two members of the Indie Band The Maccabees. In this match we won the rally to serve first, and went on to be on the receiving end of a 9-3 defeat. Heartened by the winning of three points we had some confidence heading into our third (and final) group match.

Up against the team of Chris & Mike we decided to switch ends, and with the glare of the lights from the high ceiling at the Tooting Tram & Social bar now behind us, we managed to take the lead, only for Chris & Mike to draw level, and eventually take the victory 9-7.

Bjorn Again look on as we play our final group game


The event also hosted exhibition displays from some of the best of England's Table Tennis talent who put on some spectacular matches, and also took on challenges from the WSOPong players.

Many thanks to Andrew and all the team at the WSOPong organisation, who ran a terrific event, and allowed Brad and I to compete in the WSOPong Grand Slam Final as one of the 'wildcard' teams.


Brad, Emily (our Coach) and I had a brilliant time (despite stinking up the tournament with our Whiff Whaff skills). And, at the end of the day at least we can say we were slaughtered 9-0 by the ultimate champions!


Brad has now officially retired from the sport - although he did enjoy the social/drinking aspect of WSOPong (and did finish the day with a smile, as he got a free dinner at a Pub we visited on our Saturday-night Tooting Pub Crawl after the tournament - where we also found 'Pints o' Sausage Rolls' for sale!?).

As for me, I will be back for qualifying in 2011! I've just got to find a new partner, a new kit and a lot more time to practice my game.

The aim of WSOPong events is to have fun in a social setting and the WSOPong competitions are targeted at casual, social players, or people who perhaps played many years ago, or not at all (the WSOPong don't target current, or former Club players, or Professionals).

About the World Series of Pong.

Pong Links:
The World Series of Pong (WSOPong)
The London Ping Pong Company
Greenhouse - Sport & Performing Arts

Other Ping Pong Blog Posts at The Ham & Egger Files:
Not long until the "World Series of Pong - Slam Jam Grand Final" Ping Pong Tournament!
Ping Pong Challenge Match at Wardown Park, Luton
Practicing for the World Series of Pong at Luton's Wardown Park
World Series of Pong (WSOPong) - Slam Jam Grand Final

Last December Brad and I attempted to break the Guinness World Record for 'Most Brussels Sprouts Eaten in One Minute' - we failed in our pursuit of that 'World Title' too (although we did defeat celebrity entrant Esther Rantzen in the sprout scoffing).

Our regular sport to participate in is Minigolf (and Crazy Golf), but we also like to take the odd diversion into other obscure sports and games - with Brad a keen World Conker Championships competitor, while I am a keen Dodgeballer and Finger Jouster. Last month Emily and I also competed in the 4th UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships in Fulham.

Friday, December 03, 2010

Not long until the "World Series of Pong - Slam Jam Grand Final" Ping Pong Tournament!

This weekend sees me and my fellow Minigolfer Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd head to Tooting for the first-ever "World Series of Pong - Slam Jam Grand Final" Ping Pong Tournament!

After two practice sessions from me on the public concrete table in Luton's Wardown Park, and a cursory look at the rules from Brad, we feel (over) confident in our abilities to win the title for the team and our fans!

We've gone for an On The Buses-themed Team Name that will be revealed at the tournament itself (or online - the draw was at 1pm today).

A slight hitch with the snowy weather has meant that our team kit remains in Southsea, meaning that unless our Coach - Emily 'Olive' Gottfried - can source us a new one today, we may well have to play in that old PE standard of 'Pants and Vests'!!!

Full report, photos and videos to follow.

About the World Series of Pong.

Other Ping Pong Blog Posts at The Ham & Egger Files:
Ping Pong Challenge Match at Wardown Park, Luton

Practicing for the World Series of Pong at Luton's Wardown Park

World Series of Pong (WSOPong) - Slam Jam Grand Final

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Played #28 Warwick (St Nicholas Park) - Derelict Crazy Golf

We first visited Warwick in mid-July 2007 to play in the BMGA English Open tournament (we have also played at the main Adventure Golf course in Warwick (course visit #27) at the Midlands Invitational 2007, Midlands Open 2007 and the BMGA British Doubles Tournament there in 2008).

While there we checked out and played the 9-hole derelict Crazy Golf Course.














This is what the course looked like on a re-visit in May 2008.


According to my fellow BMGA Tour members Jam Trubridge and Paul & Owen Johnson the course re-opened in the summer of 2010, with a new lick of paint! We haven't played a BMGA event in Warwick for a couple of years now, but hopefully we'll get to back to Warwick again to check out the improvements.

More course visits on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.