Arm Champs II – the rematch

Back in February 2007 I fought and lost (in controversial circumstances) against the Arcade machine Arm Champs II in Great Yarmouth. In May 2009 I returned for a rematch and this time lost in match one!




See the original match video here:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/search?q=arm+champs

From Safari Golf to Segway Grand Prix!

On a trip to Great Yarmouth I found that the Jungle Golf at the Pleasure Beach Gardens is no more - it's now a Segway Grand Prix track! The second course with the jeep is still there though.

Then (June 2007)

Now (May 2009)

Related blog post:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Link:
- Pleasure Beach Gardens website

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

Minigolf Report – BMGA English Open

12th May 2009
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – BMGA English Open

On Sunday 10th May Luton Minigolfers Richard and Emily Gottfried travelled to Hoveton in Norfolk to compete in a field of 37 players in the BMGA English Open. The competition was played over 54-holes at the 18-hole Adventure Golf course at Wroxham Barns.

Richard finished in 16th place after rounds of 39 (+3), 38 (+2) and 40 (+4) for a total of 117 (+9), including five holes-in-one.

Emily Gottfried finished in 28th spot after rounds of 43 (+7), 46 (+10) and 38 (+2) for a total of 127(+19), including four holes-in-one.

The tournament was won by Nick Chitty with a total of 95 (-13). Nick also broke the course record with a round of 29 (-7), beating the previous record which was 34 (-2) and set by Richard in August last year.

Richard said “Last year I was 4th in the English Open so I was hoping for a good finish this year but it just wasn’t to be. I started the day with a four on a hole I should have Aced and didn’t play my best after that. It wasn’t my worst performance, but it was far from my best”

Ends

Another closed course – Stonehenge, Hemsby

While in Hemsby I was unable to play on the Stonehenge BIG Mini Golf course as it wasn't open.

12-holes in-between ‘Stonehenge’ type rocks. I will play there on my return to Hemsby.

Minigolf Course Visit Number 88 – The Lost World, Hemsby

The latest course to be visited and played on our UK tour was the Lost World Adventure Golf Course in Hemsby, Norfolk.

A great little 9-hole course with plenty of tough obstacles and some excellent theming!








One round played, with Emily scoring a 30 (+12) and me a 26 (+8).

Visit the Lost World Adventure Golf course website.

More from the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Bowlingo at Sea Palling

Touring the Norfolk coastline we found the tiny seaside resort of Sea Palling. The Beach Road amusement arcade was home to a great Bowlingo alley.

Roys Roys Roys of Wroxham

While in Wroxham (the capital of the Norfolk Broads) for the BMGA English Open we explored the town of Wroxham and the many shops owned by Roy!

Some of Roy’s shops in Wroxham include:
Roys of Wroxham, Roys Department Store, Roys DIY, Roys Garden Centre, Roys Toys, RoyZone Clothes, Roys Children's World.








See www.roys.co.uk

Tampere Reunion Classic

Prior to the main BMGA English Open competition at the 18-hole Minigolf course at Wroxham Barns last Sunday, Richard & Emily both played in the Tampere Reunion Classic tournament on Saturday 9th May, against fellow members of the Great Britain Team who competed in Finland last May. In the one-round competition Richard came out on top with a 42 (+6), with Sean Homer in 2nd with 45 (+9) and Steve Gow 3rd with 46 (+10). Marion Homer was 4th with a 48 (+12). Emily was 5th with 53 (+17).

Tampere Reunion Classic
Wroxham Barns, Norfolk.
09/05/09

Rank Player Score Aces
1 Richard Gottfried 42 0
2 Sean Homer 45 1
3 Steve Gow 46 2
4 Marion Homer 48 0
5 Emily Gottfried 53 2

Aces Play-Off - Emily beat Steve

Gottfried’s 2009 Tour in the Luton News

The Luton News has been a great supporter of me and Emily’s Mini and Crazy Golf Career and so far this season the following tournament reports have appeared in the Luton News and Dunstable Gazette.

"Gottfried has room for improvement"
www.lutontoday.co.uk/lut/Gottfried-has-room-for-improvement.4900054.jp

"Gottfrieds back in action"
www.lutontoday.co.uk/lut/Gottfrieds-back-in-action.5107137.jp

"Golfing Richard dreams of flight."
See the e-version of the Herald & Post at http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/

"Gottfried triumphs at the Manchester Mini Masters"
www.lutontoday.co.uk/lut/Gottfried-triumphs-at-the-Manchester.5171011.jp

"Gottfried wins through in the British Matchplay"
www.lutontoday.co.uk/lut/Gottfried-wins-through-in-the.5216269.jp

Ham & Egger Files and "Pirate thrill for tee"

An article in the Blackpool Gazette about a planned new Crazy Golf course in Blackpool, entitled “Pirate thrill for tee” and published on the 25th March 2009, gives a very good mention to the Ham & Egger Files website and my travels around the UK’s best (and worst) Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses.

The full story can be viewed on the Blackpool Gazette website here: http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/daily-feature/Pirate-thrill-for-tee.5106807.jp

A year ago in Minigolf...

A year ago this weekend, Emily and I were in Tampere, Finland having been selected to be members of the Great Britain Minigolf Sport team that competed in the 2008 WMF Nations Cup.


The Great Britain Minigolf teams finished the tournament in 12th & 13th places.


In the individual rankings Richard finished in 51st place and Emily in 53rd.



The whole experiencing of representing my country and playing minigolf on the tough Tampere, Finland courses has definitely improved my playing skills - I've since become a BMGA British Club Champion, Weymouth Open Champion and holder of the Manchester Mini Masters title!


Back in May 2008 I was ranked 25th in the BMGA Order of Merit Rankings and at present I am ranked 17th in Great Britain.

This year the Great Britain Minigolf Sport team will be going to Odense in Denmark for the World Minigolf Championships.

Full details, results and statistics from the WMF Nations Cup 2008 can be found here.


Photos from Nations Cup 2008.

My original Nations Cup 2008 Blog Post can be found at the following link:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/05/nations-cup-tampere-finland.html

Wacky, Waving, Inflatable, Arm-Flailing, Tube-men

Wacky, Waving, Inflatable, Arm-Flailing, Tube-men spotted in Luton, Guildford, Denver and Melbourne.

Spotted in Melbourne, Australia advertising mattresses:




In Luton promoting a car wash and valeting service:



In Guildford at a fun run:



In Denver with an unknown use!?:



See also:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/09/wacky-waving-inflatable-arm-flailing.html
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/04/denver-wacky-waving-inflatable-arm.html

The Luton Sports Network Luton Sports Awards for 2008

The Luton Sports Network Luton Sports Awards for 2008.

Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried received nominations in the category of Sports Man of the Year in the Luton Sports Network Luton Sports Awards for 2008, and finished in 4th place.

Nominees for the awards had to have met the criteria below in their 2008 season:
• Achieved outstanding performances
• Shown outstanding ability
• Shown major improvement in their sport
• Promoted sport and influenced more members of the community to take part in sport

The top three nominees were from Athletics, Boxing and Swimming.

Following Richard's win in the Manchester Mini Masters minigolf tournament in early April he is looking good for another outstanding year on the BMGA Tour.

Minigolf Report – BMGA British Masters & British Matchplay Championships

Minigolf Report – BMGA British Masters & British Matchplay Championships

On Saturday 25th April Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried competed in a field of 30 in the first Minigolf Major of the 2009 BMGA Tour - the BMGA British Masters. Played over 36-holes at the Inca and Aztec themed Adventure Golf Course at Adventure Island in Southend on Sea, Richard had rounds of 24(+6), 22(+4), 21(+3) and 22(+4) for a total of 89(+17) and finished in 23rd place. The tournament was won by Chris Jones with a total of 72(par).


Richard said “I never fare too well on the Southend course in Strokeplay tournaments. In practice I can go round in 19 or 20, but then seem to get too many threes and fours in the main tournament.”


Saturday also saw the latest knockout match in the season-long BMGA British Matchplay Championships being played, with Richard defeating Kent Minigolf Club member Phil Exall 3&1. Richard is now through to the second round draw scheduled to take place in early June.

Commenting on his first round win in the BMGA British Matchplay Championships Richard said “Phil Exall was a very tough opponent and we had a close game. His two on the 9th Inca hole was excellent. Last year in this competition I was defeated in the first round in Southend so I am extremely happy to be through to round two.”

BMGA British Matchplay Championships Photos

From left to right: Referee Trevor Robertson, Phil Exall, Richard Gottfried

Minigolf Friendly Match - 24/04/09 - Squire vs. His Excellency

Minigolf Friendly Match - 24/04/09 - 'Squire' Richard Gottfried vs. Anthony 'His Excellency' Pope.

Arnold Palmer Minigolf, Eastern Esplanade, Southend on Sea.

'Squire' Richard Gottfried = 44(+8)
Anthony 'His Excellency' Pope = 39(+3)