Minigolf Course Visits 98 & 99 - Alexandra Gardens, Windsor

On Saturday 30th May we visited Minigolf courses number 98 & 99 at Alexandra Gardens in Windsor.

First up was the 12-hole Eternit Miniature Golf course, followed by the 9-hole Eternit Putting course.




Lining up a shot on the 7th

On the Putting 'Green'

Crazy Golf at Riverside Gardens in Maidenhead

On Saturday 30th May 2009 we played the Crazy Golf course at Riverside Gardens in Maidenhead. The course became the 97th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.



The 18-hole minigolf course is very similar to the 'Eternit' type of Miniature Golf. However, the concrete playing surface wasn't as smooth as an official Eternit layout.

A dogleg pyramid hole

Over two ramps

An interesting bit of minigolf trivia: the course features in the classic Mr Bean episode Tee Off Mr Bean!

But where's the cup!?

With Humpty

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New Guinness World Record set - Largest Picnic Ever

At the last count, at least 8,300 people took part in the Guinness World Record attempt to have the Largest Picnic Ever in the UK.


This means Emily and I are now Guinness World Record Holders!

The previous holder of the Guinness World Record for "The Largest Picnic across multiple venues" was Tenerife, Spain which set the record with 8,000 picnickers in 1999.

At 1pm the count was made and at the Luton picnic a total of 798 people picnicking was recorded.

The Guinness World Record attempt was organised as part of National Family Week. Visit the National Family Week website for more information.

Luton Carnival 2009 - Will the giant Carnival Character make it under the train bridge?

Filmed during the 2009 Luton Carnival - Will the giant Carnival Character make it under the train bridge? The train bridge is 15' 6", the Carnival Character is taller!

Guinness World Record attempt - Largest Picnic Ever

Today (25th May 2009) Emily and I (along with 796 other Lutonians) took part in a Guinness World Record attempt for "The Largest Picnic across multiple venues."

At 1pm the count was made and the total of 798 people picnicking was recorded.

Picnics were taking place across the UK to try to take the record from current holders Spain.

Participants in the record attempt needed a rug or mat, and food & drink including a minimum of two courses per person (e.g. sandwiches and fruit or cake).

Details of whether a new Guinness World Record was set by the UK will be known soon.

The Guinness World Record attempt was organised as part of National Family Week. Visit http://www.nationalfamilyweek.co.uk/ for more information.

Minigolf course re-visits 5, 6, 7 & 33 and a new build

Prior to visiting and playing the five new courses in Dovercourt, Clacton-on-Sea, Blake End and Hemel Hempstead we visited some other courses in the area, including the 9-hole Crazy Golf at Stonham Barns, Suffolk, and all three courses in Felixstowe, Suffolk (Fantasia, Sea Front and Golf FX at Mannings).

The old Sea Front course has changed a bit, with some new carpet laid and a few of the animal obstacles removed.

There is also a new partially built 9-hole Crazy Golf course next to the grass Putting course on the Sea Front.

Minigolf Course Visit No. 96 - Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead

The second course visit of the day on Sunday 24th May was to Hemel Hempstead's Gadebridge Park to play the 9-hole Crazy Golf course.




In our match on the course I scored 31 and 30 for a total of 61, while Emily shot a 40 and a 31 for a total of 71.

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Crazy Golf at Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead - revisit

Minigolf Course Visit No. 95 - Blake End, near Braintree

On Sunday 24th May we visited two new courses, the first of which was the 9-hole Swedish Felt B Run Minigolf course at Blake End Craft Centre, near Braintree, Essex.





Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - List and links for all Miniature Golf courses visited to date
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf in Essex

Link:
- Blake House Craft Centre

Minigolf Course Visit No. 94 - Clacton-on-Sea (Augusta Masters)

A visit to the Augusta Masters Adventure Golf course in Clacton.

The third course to be played on Saturday 23rd May was the 10-hole Augusta Masters Adventure Golf course in Clacton-on-Sea.





We revisited the course in May 2011.

Links:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Clacton
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf in Essex

Minigolf Course Visit No. 93 - Clacton-on-Sea (Eternit)

A visit to the minigolf course in Clacton-on-Sea.

The second course to be played on Saturday 23rd May was the 9-hole Carpeted Eternit Miniaturegolf course in Clacton-on-Sea.





We revisited the course in May 2011.

Links:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Clacton
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf in Essex

Minigolf Course Visit No. 92 - Dovercourt

On Saturday 23rd May we made the trip to Dovercourt near Harwich and played the 6-hole Swedish Felt B-Run Minigolf course near the Seafront.



Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf in Essex
- Crazy Golf in Dovercourt

Shooting Shacks - Walton on the Naze & Clacton

Two great Hillbilly Shooting Shacks.

One on the pier at Walton on the Naze.

And another in Clacton-on-Sea, where I shot a perfect score of 200 with 20 shots!

Southwold Putting Green

Unfortunately the miniature golf Putting Golf in Southwold, Suffolk was not open on our visit.



It opened for the summer on Saturday 23rd May. We visited on Thursday 21st May.

Under the Pier Show - Southwold

The Under the Pier Show 'alternative amusement arcade' in Southwold, Suffolk.


On a recent Holiday/Roadtrip we stopped off in Southwold, Suffolk. While on the pier we found a great arcade described as "A MAD ARCADE OF HOME-MADE SLOT MACHINES & SIMULATOR RIDES".

Playing Mobility Masterclass at the Under the Pier Show in Southwold

Trying out the Break In game at the Under the Pier Show in Southwold

The Fly Drive arcade game at the Under the Pier Show in Southwold

For more information take a look at the Under the Pier Show and Southwold Pier websites.

Southwold Pier in May 2009

Ham & Eggers play in the F.U.N. Charity Tenpin Bowling Competition

On Wednesday 20th May the Ham & Eggers Tenpin Bowling Team played in the Families United Network F.U.N. Charity Tenpin Bowling Competition at Go Bowling in Dunstable.

Competing against 31 other teams, the Ham & Eggers were drawn against Carey's Team in the Matchplay rounds.

Over two games the team of Richard 'Bowlingo' Gottfried, Emily 'MVP' Gottfried, James 'The Great Sparedini' Cunliffe and Laura Woods scored 751, to beat Carey's Team by 33 points.

The overall tournament winners were the team from The Old Palace Lodge in Dunstable.

Pictured from l-r, Oxana 'Roxana' Nikandrova, Richard 'Bowlingo' Gottfried (Captain), Emily 'MVP' Gottfried, James 'The Great Sparedini' Cunliffe and Laura Woods.

For more information about Families United Network please visit - http://www.familiesunitednetwork.co.uk/home.html

Minigolf Doubles - Career Stats

Richard Gottfried's Career Minigolf Doubles Matchplay Stats:
Played – 12*
Won – 6
Drawn – 1
Lost – 5
* Seven matches at the 2008 BMGA British Doubles Championship, Warwick (with Emily Gottfried). Four matches at Star City, Birmingham (with Andy Gonsalves x 2, Matt Smith & Owen Johnson). One match at Stratford Upon Avon (with Kevin Moseley).

Richard Gottfried's Career Minigolf Doubles Strokeplay Stats:
Played – 3*
Won – 1
Lost – 2
Drawn – 0
* Includes matches with playing partners Owen Johnson (Star City), Paul Johnson (Star City) and Emily Gottfried (New Malden).

Minigolf Report - Midlands Invitational Tournament

17th May 2009
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Midlands Invitational Tournament (MIT)

Minigolfers Richard & Emily Gottfried travelled to Stratford Upon Avon on Sunday 17th May to compete in the Midlands Invitational Tournament (MIT). Played over 36 holes at the 18-hole Recreation Ground course, Richard finished in 5th place and Emily 7th in the 14 strong field. The MIT was won by Bath’s Kevin Moseley with a two round score of 64 (-8).

Richard had rounds of 39 (+3) and 36 (par) for a total of 75 (+3), including two holes-in-one.

Emily had rounds of 38 (+2) and 41 (+5) for a total of 79 (+7), including an impressive eight aces.

Richard said “I was pleased with fifth spot and just wish I had hit a few more holes-in-one. The Stratford course is one of the finest in the country and the difference between an ace and a two on most holes is marginal and can be a big difference maker in the competition.”

Heading into the second round Emily was in fifth spot but a few costly fours negated her excellent eight holes-in-one.

Emily said “I had quite a random day, jumping from fours to aces, and although eight aces over two rounds is an excellent total for me, it’s a shame I wasted them by missing some other easy shots.”

In June Richard & Emily will be playing in the BMGA British Doubles taking place in Boscombe. After the main MIT competition Richard and playing partner Kevin Moseley got some practice in picking up a victory in a Doubles Matchplay match, defeating the duo of Jam Trubridge and Peter Jones 4 & 2.

Ends

Bowlplex Braehead

In preparation for our next outing in a tenpin bowling tournament we got some practice in at the lanes at the Bowlplex in Braehead, Glasgow.