Minigolf in Oxford, in December

On an icy cold and foggy Sunday in December what better way to spend your time than searching the historic City of Oxford for it's hidden Minigolf treasures.

Three of Oxford's parks are home to Minigolf courses, and all three are Swedish Felt courses!

The first park we visited was Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park, in the north of the city, where we found the first of the three 9-hole courses.





Stop two of the day was at Headington's Bury Knowle Park.





Our last stop of the afternoon, and with the fog creeping in, was at Florence Park where I managed to get these photos just before the park gates closed.





We're now looking forward to returning to Oxford in the summer to improve our scores on these very testing Swedish Felt courses.

Link:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Minigolf Doubles Matchplay - Results & Stats

Results from 24th November 2008:
Fraser Cameron & James Bonsor beat Richard Gottfried & Owen Johnson 4&3 in an 18-Hole Doubles Matchplay Match at Star City, Birmingham.

Richard Gottfried's Career Doubles Matchplay Stats:
Played – 11*
Won – 5
Drawn – 1
Lost – 5

* Seven matches at the 2008 BMGA British Doubles Championship, Warwick (with Emily Gottfried) and four matches at Star City, Birmingham (with Andy Gonsalves x 2, Matt Smith & Owen Johnson).

Back in Action

After a three week break from competitive Minigolf, following the end of the BMGA's 2008 season, I re-entered the fray at Star City's Monday Night Winter League yesterday.

After eight (!) practice rounds on the Lost Hut and Hidden Cove courses to get warmed up I faced Owen Johnson (I won 37-50), James Bonsor (I won 35-42) and Fraser Cameron, who I defeated with a new personal best score on the Hidden Cove Challenge course of 32 (Fraser scored 39).

My score of 32 (-4) also equals my all-time personal best score on any 18-hole Minigolf course. My first '32' was on the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Hastings.

In my three rounds of league play I hit 9 holes-in-one.

My Adventure Island Mini Golf Winter League win/loss record:
Played - 6
Won - 5
Drawn - 1
Lost - 0
Points - 16

Derelict Crazy Golf in Southend...

...the course gets more derelict as time goes by, such a waste.





Especially as the other 18-Hole Arnold Palmer course on the same site is in good condition.


Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

10 Minutes in Canvey Island

On a trip to Southend-on-Sea today we decided to take a quick detour to Canvey Island as it was on our 'seasides to visit' list.

Despite the driving rain we decided to brave the elements and have a walk along the seafront and to our amazement what did we discover but a 9-Hole Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Cheeky Monkey's Fun Fair that was previously unknown to us!





Unfortunately it was closed (what with it being a very wet day in November), but we'll be back in Canvey Island in 2009 to test it out and give it a Crazy World of Minigolf Tour play.


Related blog posts:
- List of courses visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf in Essex
- Canvey Island
- 10 Minutes in Canvey Island

Minigolf Rankings - BMGA, WMF, WCGC & AIMG

Richard Gottfried
2007-2008 BMGA Order of Merit Ranking – 14th of 68 Players*
2008 BMGA Season Only Ranking – 8th of 129 Players**
2008 WMF World Minigolf Ranking – 425th of 433 Places (443 Players)***
2008 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships – 17th of 68 Players****
2008 AIMG League Ranking – 2nd of 8 Players*****

Emily Gottfried
2007-2008 BMGA Order of Merit Ranking – 46th of 68 Players*
2008 BMGA Season Only Ranking – 29th of 129 Places**
2008 WMF World Minigolf Ranking – 115th of 120 Places (129 Players)***
2008 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships – 43rd of 68 Players****
2008 Castle Golf Women’s World Crazy Golf Championships – 3rd of 9 Players****

Notes on the Rankings Systems:
* The BMGA Order of Merit Ranking System is calculated by adding a player’s top four scores of the current season to the top two scores from the previous season. BMGA competitions are played on Minigolf Open Standard (MOS) courses.
** The BMGA Season Only League Table Ranking System began on 16/03/2008 following the first event of the 2008 Tour (the PHCGC Open). These rankings are separate to the official BMGA Order of Merit Rankings and are based only on the current season’s results. Points are scored only in official BMGA events and will not be carried forward to the next year. Points are awarded in multiples of 5, starting at 10, up to the second placed player when the difference to the winner will be 10.
*** The WMF World Minigolf Rankings are those of the World Minigolfsport Federation and are published twice annually. Competitions that earn WMF Ranking Points are predominantly played on Eternit, Beton and Swedish Felt Courses.
**** The Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships Rankings are based on the annual World Crazy Golf Championships that take place in Hastings, rules dictate that all players must use only one type of ball for play (Minigolf tournaments allow players to choose from a number of different balls of varying properties). In 2008 a Women’s Championship was introduced and competed for in parallel with the main tournament.
***** The AIMG League Ranking is based upon weekly competition at the Adventure Island Mini Golf Courses at Star City, Birmingham.

Official WMF World Minigolf Rankings (Nov 08)

Following our selection to compete for the Great Britain Minigolf Sport Team in the 2008 Nations Cup in Finland back in May, Emily and I have received our Official World Minigolfsport Federation (WMF) World Minigolf Rankings for International Team Competition.

In the Women's Rankings Emily is ranked in tied 115th place of 120 places (129 players qualify to be currently ranked) and is one of only two Great Britain female minigolfers currently ranked in the WMF List (the other is Marion Homer). Along with Emily and Marion, Ruth Bullin is the only other female to have represented Great Britain in a WMF Sanctioned International Minigolf Tournament.

In the Men's Ranking List I am ranked in joint 425th of 433 places (443 players qualify to be currently ranked).

In the Nations Rankings Great Britain has dropped one place to 20th in the World. Germany, Sweden and Switzerland are currently ranked 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The USA has also dropped one place, and are now 19th in the List.

More information and the full rankings can be found at the World Minigolfsport Federation (WMF) website http://www.minigolfsport.com and http://www.minigolfsport.com/download/ranking-list.pdf

Details of our participation in the 2008 Nations Cup can be found here http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/05/nations-cup-tampere-finland.html

Details about the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) can be found here www.minigolf.org.uk

BMGA End of Season Rankings Video

BMGA End of Season Rankings Video



Richard Gottfried – Up 20 places to 14th of 68

Emily Gottfried – New Entry at 46th of 68

Minigolf Player Profile - Richard Gottfried

Richard Gottfried
Member of the Midlands Minigolf Club
Debut – 2007 BMGA British Masters – 24th Place
Putter – Funsports

2007 Tour
Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open – DNP
BMGA Irish Open – DNP
BMGA British Masters – 24th
BMGA English Open – 23rd
BMGA Brighton Open – 18th
BMGA Players Championship – 5th
BMGA British International Open – 29th
BMGA British Championships – 19th
BMGA Doubles Championships – DNP
BMGA Club Championships – DNP
BMGA Midland Invitational Tournament – 4th
BMGA Midland Open – 15th
Tunbridge Wells Invitational Tournament – DNP
Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Championships 2007 – 39th
BMGA Kent Open – 12th
2006-2007 BMGA Order of Merit Ranking – 34th

2008 Tour
Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open – 25th
BMGA British Masters – 22nd
Pleasure Beach Open – 6th
Midland Invitational Tournament – 3rd
Nations Cup (Individual) – 51st
Nations Cup (Team) – 13th
The Viking Horn – 5th
BMGA British Doubles Tournament – 11th
BMGA English Open – 4th
BMGA British Club Championships – 1st
BMGA Brighton Open – 19th
BMGA British Championships – 18th
BMGA Players Championship – 16th
BMGA British Open – 28th
Weymouth Open – 1st
Tunbridge Wells Invitational Tournament – DNP
BMGA British Matchplay Championships – 26th
Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships 2008 – 17th
BMGA Kent Open – 13th
2007-2008 BMGA Order of Merit Ranking – 14th of 68 Players
2008 BMGA Season Only Ranking – 8th of 129 Players

Tweet

Minigolf Player Profile - Emily Gottfried

Emily Gottfried
Debut – 2007 Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Championships – 54th Place
Putter – Funsports

2007 Tour
Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open – DNP
BMGA Irish Open – DNP
BMGA British Masters – DNP
BMGA English Open – DNP
BMGA Brighton Open – DNP
BMGA Players Championship – DNP
BMGA British International Open – DNP
BMGA British Championships – DNP
BMGA Doubles Championships – DNP
BMGA Club Championships – DNP
BMGA Midland Invitational Tournament – DNP
BMGA Midland Open – DNP
Tunbridge Wells Invitational Tournament – DNP
Virgin Money World Crazy Golf Championships 2007 – 54th
BMGA Kent Open – DNP
2006-2007 BMGA Order of Merit Ranking – N/A

2008 Tour
Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open – 26th
BMGA British Masters – DNP
Pleasure Beach Open – 7th
Midland Invitational Tournament – DNP
Nations Cup (Individual) – 53rd
Nations Cup (Team) 13th
The Viking Horn – 7th
BMGA British Doubles Tournament – 11th
BMGA English Open – DNP
BMGA British Club Championships – 7th
BMGA Brighton Open – DNP
BMGA British Championships – 26th
BMGA British Women’s Championships – 3rd
BMGA Players Championship – 23rd
BMGA British Open – 44th
Weymouth Open – DNP
Tunbridge Wells Invitational Tournament – DNP
BMGA British Matchplay Championships – DNP
Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships 2008 – 43rd
Castle Golf Women’s World Crazy Golf Championships 2008 – 3rd
BMGA Kent Open – 21st
2007-2008 BMGA Order of Merit Ranking – 46th of 68 Players
2008 BMGA Season Only Ranking – 29th of 129 Players

Minigolf Report – BMGA End of Season Review

5th November 2008
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – BMGA End of Season Review

Richard & Emily Gottfried have completed their second season on the British Minigolf Association Tour and they have both risen up the official rankings.

After competing in 14 BMGA Tour events Richard ended the season ranked 14th of 68 Players in the 2007-2008 BMGA Order of Merit Rankings, and 8th of 129 Players in the 2008 BMGA Season Only Rankings.

Richard said “Heading into the 2008 Season I had set myself three main Minigolf objectives. To win a tournament on the BMGA Tour, reach the top 20 of the BMGA British Rankings, and play for Great Britain in an overseas tournament. And I was lucky enough to achieve all three by June of this year. Next year I’m planning on winning more individual BMGA Tour events and breaking into the top 5 of the BMGA British Rankings.”

He added “It’s been a very successful year for me with wins in the British Club Championships, Adventure Island/Heart FM Open and the Weymouth Open, and Emily has picked up some good finishes as well.”

He added “I’m now looking forward to having a bit of a break now, but I know I’ll be itching to get back into competition in a few weeks. There will be around 16 tournaments in the calendar next year and hopefully I’ll get to compete in them all.”

After playing in 11 BMGA Tour events Emily finished 46th in the BMGA Order of Merit and 29th in the 2008 BMGA Season-Only Rankings. Highlights of Emily’s season included 3rd place in both the BMGA British Women’s Championships and the Castle Golf Women’s World Crazy Golf Championships and selection for the Great Britain team.

Emily said “This has been a fantastic season, and although each competition was challenging, I know I did my best and a 46th place finish for my first full year is great. I’ve played on some lovely courses in the UK and abroad and I’m looking forward to next season.”

The 2009 BMGA Tour tees off in January in Birmingham as Star City hosts a special season opening tournament, followed by the ninth annual Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open in March.

Ends

Photo - The Gottfried's trophy shelf with the Weymouth Open Trophy & Medal, Adventure/Island Heart FM Trophy, Tampere 2008 Medal and the BMGA British Club Championship Trophy.

Minigolf Report – BMGA Kent Open Report

5th November 2008
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – BMGA Kent Open Report

Luton Minigolfers Richard & Emily Gottfried competed in the season closing BMGA Kent Open on Sunday 2nd November at Strokes Adventure Golf course in Margate.

26 BMGA Tour Players competed in the event which comprised of three rounds over 54 holes. Richard carded rounds of 40, 47 and 41 for a total of 128 (+20) to finish in 13th place. Emily scored rounds of 47, 49 and 53 for a total of 149 (+41) to end in 21st position.

The tournament winner was Andy Exall from Tunbridge Wells with a three round total of 105 (-3). Dave Forrest of the Kent Minigolf Club was runner-up with a total of 107 (-1). Third place went to the London Minigolf Club’s Bill Bullin with a total of 109 (+1).

Ends

A bleak start to the day's weather.


Emily Teeing-off in an Aces Play-Off.


Minigolfing Arch-Rivals (from l-r) Steve 'F1' Gow, Alan 'Stormin' Norman & 'Squire' Richard Gottfried.

Welcome to Margate

Before we played in the BMGA Kent Open on Sunday 2nd November we had planned to practice at Strokes Adventure Golf Course, however seeing the somewhat stormy conditions on the Seafront course (below) we decided to visit Margate's mysterious Shell Grotto.




According to Shellgrotto.co.uk "The Grotto’s discovery in 1835 came as a complete surprise to the people of Margate; it had never been marked on any map and there had been no tales of its construction told around the town."

If you're in, or around the Margate it's well worth a visit (as is Strokes Adventure Golf Course).



More information about the Shell Grotto can be found here.

Not Minigolf Course 74 Or 79!

It wasn't Minigolf course visited number 74, and it's not Minigolf course visited 79 - the second of the two Arnold Palmer courses at Cliftonville, Margate was not open (again) on my second visit of the year (1st November 2008).


For the look of disappointment back in September click here: http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/09/not-course-number-74.html

Not playing Minigolf in Broadstairs

On our visit to Broadstairs on Halloween we found the LillyPutt Mini Golf course to be closed.

Fortunately we have played there before (and very good it is too), hopefully we'll get back to play there again next summer.





Links:
- LillyPutt Mini Golf in Broadstairs
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Bowlingo in Broadstairs

A hard fought contest which was won by Emily 103-97.

Minigolf Course Visit No. 78 - Herne Bay

A visit to the 18-hole sea front minigolf course in Herne Bay.

On our way to play in the season-closing 2008 BMGA Kent Open in Margate Emily and I made a few seaside stops at Whitstable, Herne Bay, Westgate-on-Sea and Ramsgate.

Ahead of our road trip I had heard a whisper that Herne Bay was home to a new Minigolf course and upon our arrival the rumour was found to be true, as there is an 18-Hole Mini Golf course on the sea front.

Deciding the time was right to host an irregular minigolf event our Irregular Mini Golf Tour Herne Bay Classic was staged. Emily shot a 44 (+8) and I scored 40 (+4) to take the win.





Related blog posts:
- Herne Bay Revisit - Minigolf and the Pier
- Visits to the Mini Golf course in Herne Bay
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - List and links for all Miniature Golf courses visited to date

Link:
- Herne Bay Mini Golf website

Photos from the 2008 World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings

Photos from the 2008 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships.

Emily practices.




Richard playing the Minigolf course.


Richard sitting in second place after three rounds of play - one shot off the lead.


A shot of Richard through the crowds during the final - Ace'ing the first.


Ranked 17th in the world.

Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships 2008

28th October 2008
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report - Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships

Luton Minigolfers Richard & Emily Gottfried competed in the sixth annual Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships at the Sea Front Adventure Golf Complex in Hastings on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October.

Both Richard & Emily made significant improvements to their world rankings with Richard qualifying for the final and eventually finishing in 17th place (up from 39th in 2007). Emily finished in 43rd place (up from 54th in 2007), and was also the third ranked player (of nine) in the Women’s World Crazy Golf Championships that was played in parallel with the main tournament.

All 68 competitors played six qualifying rounds (three on Saturday, two on Sunday) on two 18-hole courses, with the top ranked 18 players making the cut to take part in the final round.

The overall winner was Tim ‘Ace Man’ Davies from Hastings who lifted his fifth title, last year’s winner Chris Harding was second and Andy Exall was third. Finland’s Pasi Aho just missed out on a podium place after finishing in fourth place. Davies won with a seven round total of 250 (-2), an average of 1.98 shots per hole.

Richard’s seven round total was 268 (+16), an average of 2.12 shots per hole, after rounds of 35, 37, 35, 40, 50, 34 and 37. He said “I am incredibly happy with being ranked 17th in the world, but I can’t help but think what could have been if it wasn’t for my dreadful fifth round where I shot a 50. Three of my other rounds were under par and I dropped 14 shots in that one round. Talk about snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, if it wasn’t for that I could have won the title.”

Emily finished with a six round total of 265 (+49), an average of 2.45 shots per hole, after rounds of 42, 37, 49, 46, 47 and 44. She said “I was pleased with my performance, as I started off the tournament strongly and improved on last years’ position. The tournament was tougher than usual, with a strong local contingent and some extreme weather conditions, but I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to go back again next year.”

Ends

The calm before the storm.


The 18 finalists line up before the 7th round.


Richard & Emily Gottfried at the end of the tournament.

Crazy Air Squash

Following the Air Hockey battle at Wroxham Barns (see link below), Richard Gottfried and Steve Gow once again took to the Amusement Arcade, this time for an Air Hockey variant - Crazy Air Squash.


This time out Steve Gow won 9-6.



http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/08/air-hockey-minigolf-professionals.html

Gottfried wins the Weymouth Open

13th October 2008
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report
Gottfried wins Pirate Adventure Mini Golf Weymouth Open

Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried won the Pirate Adventure Mini Golf Weymouth Open, held at the Sea Life Centre at Lodmoor Country Park in Weymouth on Sunday 12th October.


On the 18-hole course and with 18 players competing Gottfried won the title by five shots with a three round total of 131 (44, 43 and 44).

Gottfried said “I had a great weekend and am proud to be the first-ever Pirate Adventure Mini Golf Weymouth Open Champion. The course and competition was tough so I’m very happy to have won it and I'm looking forward to defending my title in 2009.”

The tournament was the first to be held at the Sea Life Centre and the Course Manager David Picksley said “Congratulations to Richard on his victory. It was a thrilling competition and I would like to thank Richard and the other competitors for supporting the event.”

Ends

Richard Gottfried with his Weymouth Open Prizes.
Course Manager David Picksley presents Richard with his winnings.

Minigolf Course Number 77 - Bowleaze Cove

The Fantasy Island Amusement Park at Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth is home to the Flintstones Crazy Golf Course.