Newcastle Invitational Tournament (NIT) 2009

On Saturday 6th June 2009 Richard & Emily Gottfried travelled to Tyneside to compete against fellow BMGA member John Moore in the inaugural Newcastle Invitational Tournament.

Played over three courses and 48-holes the tournament was won by Newcastle's John Moore with a three-round total of 123 (+27).

Second was Richard Gottfried five shots back on 128 (+32). With Emily Gottfried in third with 142 (+46).

The three courses played were:
- Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf, South Shields
- Lost World Adventure Golf, Tynemouth
- Gosforth Park Minigolf, Newcastle

Ranks and scores:
1. John Moore - 29 - 55 - 39 = 123 (+27)
2. Richard Gottfried - 37 - 49 - 42 = 128 (+32)
3. Emily Gottfried - 40 - 53 - 49 142 (+46)

A selection of photos from the Newcastle Invitational Tournament 2009 are below, followed by post-match interviews with the participants.














Post-match interview with John 'Thighs' Moore, following his win in the inaugural Newcastle Invitational Minigolf Tournament held on 6th June 2009.



Post-match interview with 'Squire' Richard Gottfried, following his second place finish in the inaugural Newcastle Invitational Minigolf Tournament held on 6th June 2009.



Post-match interview with Emily 'Coach' Gottfried, following her third place finish in the inaugural Newcastle Invitational Minigolf Tournament held on 6th June 2009.



Richard's reaction after hearing he missed out on winning by five-shots.

Minigolf Course Visit No. 103 - Gosforth Park, Newcastle

My 103rd Course Visit was to Newcastle's Gosforth Park to play the very good 18-hole Minigolf course on Saturday 6th June 2009.

A derelict Crazy Golf course in Newcastle

While in Newcastle visiting John 'YI' Moore in June 2009 we made a Crazy World of Minigolf Tour visit to look at the 9-hole derelict Crazy Golf Course in Exhibition Park.

It was bereft of its old obstacles and in a bad way.




There is talk of a new course being built in the park in the future.

It's not happened yet.

Related blog post:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Arnold Palmer isn't here any more

According to local sources an Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf Course used to be on this spot on Tynemouth's Sea Front.

Minigolf Course Visits No. 101 & 102 - Tynemouth, Lost World Adventure Golf

On Saturday 6th June 2009 we visited and played at courses 101 & 102 on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour at Tynemouth's Lost World Adventure Golf.

First up was the Blue 9-hole course, followed by the Red 9-hole course.

Gottfried's Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Courses 1-100

It all started on the 30th September 2006 and now over two and a half years later I've visited and played at my 100th Minigolf course as part of my Crazy World of Minigolf Tour!

A total of 1,445 holes of Minigolf have been played over the 100 course visits (not including all of the extra play at tournaments, practice rounds or multiple visits) with a whole lot of holes-in-one and great fun.

The question now is - which course will be number 200?

All courses played 30th September 2006 - 6th June 2009
1 Portsmouth/Southsea (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf (Victory Trail)
2 Portsmouth/Southsea (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf (Warrior Trail)
3 Southsea (Golf Links) - 9 Hole Par 3/Pitch & Putt
4 Luton (Woodside Animal Farm) - Adventure Golf
5 Felixstowe (Mannings) - Golf FX
6 Felixstowe (Sea Front) - Crazy Golf
7 Felixstowe (Fantasia) - Adventure Golf
8 Watford (Top Golf) - Adventure Golf
9 Watford (Top Golf) - 9 Hole Putting Green
10 West Hagbourne, Oxon (Horse & Harrow Pub) - Crazy Golf
11 Shefford, Bedfordshire (The Green Man Pub) - Crazy Golf
12 Brighton (East of Palace Pier) - Crazy Golf
13 Brighton (Peter Pan's) - Adventure Golf
14 Southend-on-Sea (Adventure Island) - Adventure Golf (Inca course)
15 Southend-on-Sea (Adventure Island) - Adventure Golf (Aztec course)
16 Southend-on-Sea (Arnold Palmer Minigolf, East Course) - Minigolf
17 St Albans, Hertfordshire (Verulamium Park) - Crazy Golf
18 Luton (Wardown Park) - Crazy Golf
19 Luton (Wardown Park) - Mini Golf/Pitch & Putt
20 Lowestoft - Adventure Golf
21 Great Yarmouth (Pirates Cove) - Adventure Golf
22 Great Yarmouth (Arnold Palmer) - Minigolf 18-hole
23 Great Yarmouth (Arnold Palmer) - Minigolf 9-hole
24 Great Yarmouth (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf
25 Great Yarmouth (Jungle Golf at the Gardens) - Crazy Golf (Update: 10th May 2009 - no longer exists, a Segway Grand Prix track is in its place)
26 Great Yarmouth (Hollywood Adventure Golf, Windmill Theatre) - Indoor Adventure Golf
27 Warwick (St Nicholas Park) - Adventure Golf
28 Warwick (St Nicholas Park) - Derelict Crazy Golf
29 Milton Keynes (Willen Lake) - Adventure Golf
30 Luton (Stockwood Park) - Mini Golf/Pitch & Putt
31 Abingdon (Abbey Meadow) - Crazy Golf
32 Abingdon (Abbey Meadow) - Pitch & Putt/Mini Golf
33 Stonham, Suffolk (Stonham Barns) - Crazy Golf
34 Margate (Strokes) - Adventure Golf
35 Broadstairs (Lillyputt Minigolf) - Lillyputt Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
36 Margate (Palm Bay Café) Cliftonville - Crazy Golf on Grass
37 Margate (Little Oasis Crazy Golf) Cliftonville - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer) 1 of the 2 18-hole courses
38 Letchworth Garden City - Putting Course on Grass
39 Hastings (Seafront) - Crazy Golf
40 Hastings (Seafront) - Minigolf
41 Hastings (Seafront) - Adventure Golf
42 Broxbourne (Paradise Wildlife Park) - Adventure Golf
43 Hastings (Planet Hastings) - Minigolf
44 Blackpool (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf (New)
45 Blackpool (Starr Gate) - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
46 Blackpool (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf (Old 'Alpine Golf')
47 Blackpool (Stanley Park) - Crazy Golf
48 Lytham St Anne’s - Crazy Golf
49 Stratford-upon-Avon - Minigolf
50 Tampere, Finland - Beton
51 Tampere, Finland - Eternit
52 Tampere, Finland - Swedish Felt
53 Felixstowe (Sea Front) - Putting Green
54 Coalville - Adventure Golf
55 Scarborough - Adventure Golf
56 Filey - Crazy Golf
57 Birmingham (Star City) - Adventure Golf (Lost Hut Trail)
58 Birmingham (Star City) - Adventure Golf (Hidden Cove Challenge)
59 Northwick Park - ‘Mini Majors’ Adventure Golf
60 Eastbourne (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf
61 Southsea - Crazy Golf
62 Southsea - Putting Green
63 Shanklin (Isle of Wight) - Beton Crazy Golf
64 Shanklin (Isle of Wight) - Adventure Golf
65 Rylstone Gardens (Isle of Wight) - Crazy Golf
66 Sandown (Isle of Wight) - Indoor Adventure Golf
67 Sandown (Isle of Wight) - Beton Crazy Golf
68 Ryde (Isle of Wight) - Adventure Golf
69 Hayling Island - Adventure Golf
70 Wroxham Barns - Adventure Golf
71 Bury St Edmunds (Abbey Gardens) - Crazy Golf
72 Dorridge (Four Ashes Golf Centre) - Minigolf
73 Coventry (Allesley Park) - Crazy Golf
74 New Malden - Jurassic Golf
75 Guildford (Stoke Park) - Swedish Felt
76 Weymouth (Sea Life Centre) - Adventure Golf
77 Weymouth (Bowleaze Cove) - Crazy Golf
78 Herne Bay - Adventure Golf
79 Gravesend (Woodlands Park) - Derelict Crazy Golf
80 Bluewater - Pro Tour Putting
81 Motspur Park (Sir Joseph Hood Park) - Mini Golf
82 Northglenn, Denver, Colorado, USA (Boondocks Fun Center) Caverns Mill Course - Miniature Golf
83 Northglenn, Denver, Colorado, USA (Boondocks Fun Center) Hillbilly Hallow Course - Miniature Golf
84 Manchester (Championship MiniatureGolf @ Playgolf Manchester) - Miniature Golf
85 Manchester (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Tiki Hut Trail) - Adventure Golf
86 Manchester (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Temple Ruins Adventure) - Adventure Golf
87 Canvey Island (Fantasy Island) - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
88 Hemsby - Lost World Adventure Golf
89 Glasgow (Victoria Park) - 9-hole Putting Green
90 Glasgow (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Maggie McCaw's Challenge) - Adventure Golf
91 Glasgow (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Tiki Hut Trail) - Adventure Golf
92 Dovercourt - Swedish Felt
93 Clacton-on-Sea - Eternit
94 Clacton-on-Sea (Augusta Masters) - Adventure Golf
95 Blake End, near Braintree - Swedish Felt
96 Hemel Hempstead (Gadebridge Park) - 9-hole Crazy Golf
97 Maidenhead (Riverside Gardens) - 18-hole Eternit
98 Windsor (Alexandra Gardens) - 12-hole Eternit
99 Windsor (Alexandra Gardens) - 9-hole Eternit Putting Course
100 South Shields, Tyneside (Smugglers Cove) - 12-hole Adventure Golf

Video introducing my 100th Minigolf Course Visit on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Gottfried's Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Minigolf Course Played No. 100!!!

On Saturday 6th June 2009 I played on my 100th Minigolf Course as part of our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The course in question was the 12-hole Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf at South Shields, Tyneside. I scored a 37 (+13) with no Aces.







The course was played as part of the weekend's inaugural Newcastle Invitational Tournament 2009.

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Minigolf Doubles - Career Win/Loss Record

New Minigolf Doubles Playing Partner

Ahead of the 2009 BMGA British Doubles Championship in Boscombe, Dorset, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried has joined forces with a new Minigolf Doubles playing partner - Kevin Moseley.

In their first match together on the 17th May the pair picked up a victory in a Doubles Matchplay match, defeating the duo of Jam Trubridge and Peter Jones 4&2 at Stratford Upon Avon.

The team will be competing in the BMGA British Doubles Championship under the moniker Squire Trelawney.

'Squire' Richard Gottfried is currently ranked 17th in the Official BMGA Order of Merit Rankings, while Kevin Moseley is ranked 22nd.

Kevin Moseley (l) & Richard Gottfried (r)

Player/Team Stats

Richard Gottfried
- 2009 Manchester Mini Masters Champion
- 2008 Weymouth Open Champion
- 2008 BMGA British Club Champion (with the Midlands Minigolf Club)
- Ranked 17th in Great Britain
- 2008 BMGA British Doubles Championship ranking - 11th of 14 teams (as Team Squire, with Emily Gottfried)
- Minigolf Doubles Matchplay win/loss record - Played 12, Won 6, Drawn 1, Lost 5

Kevin Moseley
- 2009 Midlands Invitational Tournament Champion
- Ranked 22nd in Great Britain
- 2008 BMGA British Doubles Championship ranking - DNP
- Minigolf Doubles Matchplay win/loss record - Played 1, Won 1

Video Footage from Richard & Kevin's Debut Minigolf Doubles Match Together.

Minigolf Doubles Match in Stratford Upon Avon - part 1 of 2

Footage from the closing stages of a friendly Minigolf Doubles Match between Richard Gottfried & Kevin Moseley and Jam Trubridge & Peter Jones.

This is the 15th hole of the 18-hole match played after the 2009 Midlands Invitational Tournament in Stratford Upon Avon. Heading into hole-15 Gottfried & Moseley are ahead by four. Trubridge & Jones need to win the hole for the match to continue.



Minigolf Doubles Match in Stratford Upon Avon - part 2 of 2

Footage from the final hole of the friendly Minigolf Doubles Match between Richard Gottfried & Kevin Moseley and Jam Trubridge & Peter Jones, played after the 2009 Midlands Invitational Tournament in Stratford Upon Avon.

With Gottfried & Moseley ahead by three, Trubridge & Jones need to win the hole for the match to continue.

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 – 4*
Won – 1
Lost – 3**
Drawn – 0
* Includes matches with playing partners Owen Johnson (Star City), Paul Johnson (Star City) and Emily Gottfried (New Malden).
** Includes two second-place finishes

BMC Rd 2 - 'Squire' Richard Gottfried vs. John 'Big Top Ted' McIver

The draw for the second round of the 2009 BMGA British Matchplay Championships is complete and 'Squire' Richard Gottfried will be playing John 'Big Top Ted' McIver, of the Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club.

The full second round draw is as follows:
1. Anthony Pope vs Rocky Bullin
2. Andy Exall vs Matthew Harding
3. Trevor Robertson vs Brad Shepherd
4. Chris Harding vs Chris Jones
5. Gareth Holmes vs Seve Kukielka
6. Peter Emmerson vs Terry Exall
7. Tim Davies vs John Moore
8. Richard Gottfried vs Ted McIver

As the first player drawn, Richard has the choice of course location.

'Squire' Richard Gottfried is currently ranked 17th in the Official BMGA Order of Merit Rankings with 1,440 points, while John 'Big Top Ted' McIver is ranked 8th with 1,973 points.

Full results of the match will follow here and at www.minigolf.org.uk

BMGA British Matchplay Championships - Second Round Draw

At 8pm tonight (Tuesday 2nd June) the draw for the matches in the second round of the 2009 BMGA British Matchplay Championships will take place at BMGA HQ in Kent.

Live coverage of the second round draw can be viewed here:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/2009-bmga-bmc-round-2-draw

Richard booked his place in the second round after defeating Phil Exall 3&1 on the 25th March at Adventure Island in Southend on Sea. 15 other players are in the second round draw and a total of 32 players entered the tournament back in January.

Details of Richard's first round win can be found here:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/04/minigolf-report-bmga-british-masters.html

Full results from the first round can be found here: http://www.minigolf.org.uk/joomla/index.php?option=com_eventlist&view=details&id=7

In the 2008 BMGA British Matchplay Championships Richard finished in 26th place of 29 players.

99 Minigolf Courses visited and played...

...which course will be number 100?

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