Top Putt, or Not

After playing Minigolf at Adventure Island Mini Golf at Star City, Birmingham on Monday we had a wander around the centre and found a Top Putt Putting Machine, sadly it was (as is a running-theme of this blog) 'Out of Order'!

'Unlimited' Minigolf at Star City, Birmingham

On Monday night we made a trip to Adventure Island Mini Golf at Star City, Birmingham to take advantage of the great Monday night deal of 'Unlimited Minigolf' between 6pm and 11pm.


I hadn't played there since the Star City Open last January.


During the evening I managed three friendly rounds.

In a friendly versus Chris Harding, Paul Johnson and Owen Johnson on the Hidden Cove Challenge course I scored 37(+1) to finish 3rd. This was way off my personal best of 32(-4).

On the Lost Hut Trail course I hit a 42(+6) to again finish 3rd, and eight shots off my personal best of 34(-2).

In the third friendly round of the evening I scored a 37(+1) to Chris Harding's 32(-4) on the Lost Hut Trail.

In total I scored seven holes-in-one over the 54-holes.

There was also time for a Doubles Matchplay match on the Lost Hut Trail course with me and Paul Johnson teaming up (as 'The Pineapple Bits') versus Owen Johnson and Chris Harding (as 'The Grapefruit Chunks') in the first-ever 'Safe Route Challenge Competition'.

Paul and I lost to Owen and Chris 3&2 to extend my 'Enhancement Talent' losing-streak in Minigolf Doubles matches to three.




Last year I also took part in the Adventure Island Mini Golf League at the course, where I finished in 2nd place, just behind former World Crazy Golf Champion Chris Harding. And in June 2008 I won the Adventure Island/Heart FM Open at the course.

Review of Tea Green Golf's Crazy Golf course at www.miniaturegolfer.com

My Tea Green Golf, Luton, Minigolf Review is now up at www.miniaturegolfer.com.

You can read the review at - http://www.miniaturegolfer.com/luton_tea_green_golf_review.html

Tiger Woods Crazy Golf Challenge?

I wonder if Tiger Woods would be interested in taking up fellow British Minigolf Association Tour Player (and minigolf legend) Tim 'Ace Man' Davies’ challenge for a head-to-head Crazy Golf battle.

The challenge, put out through the story "Should Tiger go 'crazy' to return to form?" at CNN Living Golf during the summer, continues to go unanswered!

The Luton Bun

Ever heard of the Luton Bun? Neither had I until I read the Simply Sims column (page 6) in the Luton News on Wednesday (2nd December)!


It's on sale in Don Millers bakers in Luton Town Centre and is priced at 65p for one, or two for £1.20, and is described as "A soft, fluffy and light cinnamon bun with currants and a delicious apple filling."


While in town today we popped into Don Millers to sample the Luton Bun, which the owner of the shop has named in honour of the town and to his customers who have supported his business over the last 22 years. His inspiration was taken after seeing many types of food named after their place of origin such as Eccles Cakes and Melton Mowbrey Pies.


Unfortunately as a Coeliac I couldn't partake in the eating of the cake (though I support its introduction as it's a great example of a business creating something new that is linked to the great town of Luton), so it was left to Emily to try it out. And her verdict? Emily says "The Luton Bun was nice, if a little dry. But when you got a bite with the fruit it was really tasty."


My World of Bun Throwing blog also cropped up in Simply Sims search into the Luton Bun and gets a mention in the story!

I'll have to have a go at making a Gluten Free version of the Luton Bun, either that or see if Don Millers would be able to make one using their 'secret recipe'!

Another great Bedfordshire dish is the Bedfordshire Clanger - a suet pastry which is both a savoury and sweet dish in one.

End of Season Minigolf Rankings and BMGA Roll of Honour

In the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) End of Season Minigolf Rankings and BMGA Roll of Honour news story at www.minigolf.org.uk I get a mention for the three wins I achieved on the BMGA Tour this season (along with my fellow 'three-peaters' Andy Exall and Nick Chitty).

Links to my wins:
Manchester Mini Masters minigolf tournament.

Manchester Miniature Open minigolf tournament.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach Open minigolf tournament.

London Open & Weymouth Open - BMGA Minigolf News Stories

News stories about my weekend of runner-up spots in the London Open and Weymouth Open minigolf tournaments can be found on the British Minigolf Association's website news section at www.minigolf.org.uk.

Links:
The London Open minigolf tournament.

The Weymouth Open minigolf tournament.

Ham & Egger Files Report about the London Open and Weymouth Open.

Canvey Island and its Crazy Golf

The Diamond Geezer Blog has published an interesting post about Canvey Island which gave a mention to the 'lacklustre' Crazy Golf course with a link to my post about the 10 minutes we spent in Canvey Island last November.

Link: Diamond Geezer's Canvey Island Blog Post

My Boondocks Miniature Golf Review on www.theputtingpenguin.com

A review of my visit to the Miniature Golf Courses at Boondocks Fun Center in Northglenn, Colorado, has been published online at www.theputtingpenguin.com.

You can read my review of the Caverns Mill and Hillbilly Hallow Miniature Golf courses at the Putting Penguin website here.

The Putting Penguin website was set up to showcase reviews of Miniature Golf courses around the USA and the world. My visitor review has helped the Putting Penguin website hold reviews of Minigolf courses in 29 states, with my review the first course reviewed in Denver.

A review of Emily's visit to the Minigolf at Circus Circus in Las Vegas will be sent to the Putting Penguin site soon.

Check out www.theputtingpenguin.com for more reviews, and the Putting Penguin's tweets on Twitter at http://twitter.com/PuttingPenguin.

New Malden's Jurassic Encounter Adventure Golf

Last night we re-visited minigolf course number 74 on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour (Jurassic Encounter Adventure Golf at World of Golf, New Malden).

It was the first time we had teed-off since the last event of the 2009 BMGA Tour - the Kent Open - at the beginning of the month. The weather wasn't much better than at the Kent Open!

The contest between me and Emily also marked the start of the 2009-2010 Season of the Irregular Minigolf Tour.



After playing 18-holes Richard won after hitting a new personal best score of 42(+4), to Emily's 43(+5). In the matchplay scores Emily won 1-up.

Richard with his champion's certificate.

Emily with her runner-up certificate.

Videos from the visit last night:









After the first two rounds of the 2009-2010 Irregular Minigolf Tour it is a tie for first place with both Richard & Emily on 175 points.

There will be many many more Irregular Minigolf Tour events taking place throughout the season, with the next event due to take place at Devonshire Square in the run-up to Christmas.

Links to other Ham & Egger Files blog posts about the Jurassic Encounter Adventure Golf at World of Golf, New Malden are below:
- Photos from our original visit in September 2008
- Report from the New Malden Invitational from March 2009
- Results of the New Malden Invitational
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

"Minigolf season comes to a close" - end of season report in the Luton News

Our end of season minigolf report appeared in this week's Luton News.

The story can also be read online here.

Thank you to the Luton News for their support and coverage of me and Emily's participation on the BMGA Tour this year.

Minigolf Doubles - Career Stats (Update)

Latest update of my career record for Minigolf Doubles matches since 17th May 2008.

Played - 26
Won - 12
Lost - 12
Drawn - 2

7 playing partners (current competition team mate is Kevin Moseley)
13 competitive matches
13 friendlies
20 matchplay matches
6 strokeplay format

Biggest winning margin to-date - 5&3 victory (with Andy Gonsalves) over Matt Smith & Fraser Cameron at Adventure Island Mini Golf at Star City, Birmingham.

Titles held:
- Second Division Champions at the 2009 BMGA British Doubles

Other Minigolf Doubles related stories on the Ham & Egger Files:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/06/minigolf-report-bmga-british-doubles.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/06/new-minigolf-doubles-playing-partner.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/05/bmga-british-doubles-tournament.html

Richard Gottfried's Career Minigolf Record 2007-2009

Richard Gottfried's Career Minigolf Record 2007-2009

Richard Gottfried's BMGA Minigolf Tournament Results 2009

Richard Gottfried's BMGA Minigolf Tournament Results for the 2009 Season

When is a Minigolf Course not a Minigolf Course...

...on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour?

When it is one of these lone holes or automated (if out of order) Putting machines:

An out of order 'Putting Challenge' Machine up a cliff in Aberystwyth during our grand tour of Wales in August 2009.




A 'Top Putt' machine on Llandudno Pier in the summer.




A great little UrbanCrazy Hole at the International Direct Marketing Fair in May 2007.



A 'Putting Challenge II' machine at Namco Station London in May 2007.


For examples of courses counted as visits on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour check out the link here.

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour list of courses visited and played
- Minigolf etc. - English to Welsh translations
- Wales

Midlands Minigolf Club (MMGC) - Minigolf Rankings 2009

Following the conclusion of the 2009 British Minigolf Association Tour I have had a look at how the members of the Midlands Minigolf Club fared in the two Ranking Lists produced by the BMGA.

Midlands Minigolf Club - Ranking by BMGA Season-only Rankings 2009

In the BMGA Season-only Rankings 2009 I was ranked 2nd in the Midlands Minigolf Club (8th overall out of 164 ranked players). Emily was ranked 10th within the Club (37th overall)


Midlands Minigolf Club - Rankings by BMGA Order of Merit 2008-2009

In the BMGA Order of Merit 2008-2009 I was ranked 3rd in the Midlands Minigolf Club (16th overall out of 94 ranked players). Emily was ranked 6th within the Club (39th overall)

Update: 2009 BMGA Season-only Rankings

The 2009 BMGA Season-only Rankings were released today (15th November) and Richard again had a top ten finish.



Richard finished 8th of 164 players in the 2009 BMGA Season-only Rankings with 1,190 ranking points. He also finished 8th in 2008, when 129 players were ranked.

Emily dropped down slightly on her 2008 ranking, moving from 29th to 37th place of 164. Emily also finished as the 5th best woman of 25 ranked players.

Richard & Emily's full 2009 BMGA Minigolf Season Report can be seen here.

The 2009 BMGA Order of Merit Rankings 08-09 (end of season)

Gottfried's in the WMF World Minigolf Rankings (Nov 09)

The latest World Minigolfsport Federation (WMF) World Rankings List has been updated and released (dated 1st November, released 11th November).

Both Emily and I have moved down in the rankings from our previous positions.

In the last rankings Emily was ranked 100th and is now 130th in the Women's World Rankings.

I was previously ranked 352nd and am now 418th in the Men's World Rankings.

Great Britain is now ranked 24th of 30 Nations.

The WMF World Minigolf Rankings are those of the World Minigolfsport Federation (WMF) and are published twice annually. Competitions that earn WMF Ranking Points are predominantly played on Eternit, Beton and Swedish Felt Courses. For the purpose of the current rankings the results of the following tournaments have been included:

2007
World Championships - Canegrate / Italy WC
Nations-Cup - Canegrate / Italy NC
National Championships of 21 Nations National
European-Cup - Eskilstuna / Sweden Comp.
Integrated Youth-Players of 2007/2 (50 % of points) Comp.

2008
European Championships - Tampere / Finland Cont.Ch.
Asian Championships - Chiang Mai / Thailand Cont.Ch.
Nations-Cup - Tampere / Finland NC
National Championships of 20 Nations National
European-Cup - Hilzingen / Germany Comp.
Integrated Youth-Players of 2008/2 (50 % of points) Comp.

2009
World Championships - Odense / Denmark WC
National Championships of 20 Nations National
European-Cup - Vaduz / Liechtenstein Comp.
Nordic Championships - Tampere / Finland Comp.
U23-Team-Competition - Sirnach / Switzerland Comp

Emily and I each have one Great Britain International Cap from our appearance in the 2008 Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland.

The full WMF World Rankings List can be seen here.

Irregular Mini Golf Tour Rankings 2008-2009 Season

During the third season of the Irregular Mini Golf Tour, held between the 31st October 2008 and 30th October 2009, 50 Tour events took place with 14 players competing for Ranking Points. The final table of the 2008-2009 season Irregular Mini Golf Tour rankings is below.


Key:
NM Non-Mover
NE New Entry

Irregular Mini Golf Tour Ranking Points Calculations 2008/2009:
1st place = 100 points
2nd place = 75 points
3rd place = 50 points
Other place = 10 points


Irregular Mini Golf Tour 07-08 Season (06/10/2007 - 29/09/2008):
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/10/img-tour-end-of-season-0708-rankings.html

Irregular Mini Golf Tour 06-07 Season (30/09/2006 - 30/09/2007):
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2007/10/img-tour-end-of-season-results-rankings.html

Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s End of Season Review

8th November 2009
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s End of Season Review

Luton Minigolfers Richard & Emily Gottfried’s 2009 minigolf season came to an end last week in Margate, Kent, following their participation in the British Minigolf Association’s biggest Tour Calendar to date. In total Richard competed in 18 of the 19 BMGA Tour Ranking Events he was eligible for, winning three of them. Emily played in seven tournaments with a best finish of second place.

In April, Richard won the Mini Masters at PlayGolf Manchester and followed this up on his next visit to Manchester by winning the Miniature Open title in July. In the Miniature Open Emily also had her most successful tournament to date when she won a play-off to finish in second spot. Richard’s third win of the season came in the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Open in September where he won by eight clear shots and also set the new BMGA and all-time course record at 24(par), stealing the course record rankings points from former holder Emily.

Only four other players won more than one tournament this year, and Richard was among only two other players to net three titles in 2009. Richard was also very close to sealing victory number four in early October when he attempted to defend the Weymouth Open title. After tying for the lead he lost a sudden-death play-off at the fourth extra hole and had to settle for second place (his second in two days after also finishing runner-up at the London Open in Staines). He did, however, set his second course record of the season at Weymouth with a 41(+5).

In the 2008-2009 BMGA Order of Merit Rankings published on the 7th November Richard finished the year in 16th spot of 74 players with a total of 3,022 points. This was slightly down on last year when he finished in 14th spot of 68 with 2,553 points. Emily however moved up seven places in the Order of Merit, this year finishing in her highest position to date, at 38th place with 692 points.

In the 2003-2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Rankings list both Richard and Emily have made significant movements up the table following a good showing in this year’s World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings. Richard moves up from 45th spot to 31st of 255 players, while Emily enters the top 50 at 50th place, up from 82nd spot.

In the World Minigolfsport Federation (WMF) World Minigolf Rankings list for International men’s competitions Richard is now ranked 352 of 365 players, up from 425th place of 433 last year. Emily meanwhile has moved up from 115th of 120 players to 100th position in the WMF women’s ranking list.

Richard has also competed in 12 non-Ranking minigolf tournaments alongside regular BMGA Tour events picking up three wins and six other podium places.

Richard said “Last year I had set myself the objective of winning more individual BMGA Tour events and breaking into the top five of the BMGA British Rankings. I’ve certainly won some titles but haven’t yet broken into the top five. In 2010 I’d like to continue my winning ways and I’d definitely like to be in the top ten by the end of the season.”

Emily said “I have really enjoyed this season, and although I only played in a handful of tournaments, I played much better and achieved a higher ranking than I expected.”

In the three month close-season Richard and Emily will be practicing at the recently refurbished Crazy Golf course at Tea Green Golf at Wandon End, Luton. In 2010 they will be back in action, first of all competing in the BMGA National Open at Star City in Birmingham, and there are around 20 further events scheduled for the Tour.

Ends

More photos of the Nutters with Putters on Eggheads

Kevin Botto of the Nutters with Putters quiz team has uploaded the photos he took of the team when they headed to the BBC to face-off against quiz show goliaths - the Eggheads.

A selection of the photos are below.







See also:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/07/ham-eggheads.html
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/07/nutters-with-putters-on-eggheads.html

Photos courtesy of Kevin Botto.

Finger Jousting video - Squire Richard of Surleigh vs. Sir Myles of Hampshire

The UK's number one Finger Jouster Squire Richard of Surleigh takes on his arch-rival Sir Myles of Hampshire in a point play rules Finger Jousting match.



This match took place on the 25th March 2007.



For more information about the noble sport of Finger Jousting head over to the World Finger Jousting Federation's website.

Finger Jousting - three years on!

I was checking out Montegue Blister's website and it got me thinking about the sport of Finger Jousting.

Looking through the WFJF archives I re-read the story announcing my arrival on the WFJF scene and noticed that I had joined exactly three years ago today! See here for more.

Checking out my Finger Jousting career win/loss record I dug out the following stats:

Played - 108 matches
Won - 98
Lost - 9
Tied - 1
% - 90.74%

I have faced 25 different opponents in 18 locations (including Luton, Ipswich, Great Yarmouth, Felixstowe, London, St Albans, Abingdon, Wallingford, Portsmouth, Brighton and Finland!) and I am also on a 57-match winning streak that has lasted since my last defeat on 21st December 2006!



Details of official World Finger Jousting Federation (WFJF) 'Point Play Rules' are below.

"In point play, different parts of the body count for different amounts of points. The legs and latent arm count as one point. The chest, back, and neck count as two points. The head counts as three points. Point play matches are played to six for tournaments, but when playing leisurely any number above two is allowed."

Check out the World Finger Jousting Federation website for more information.

Montegue Blister's Strange Games

Check out Montegue Blister's Strange Games website at http://strange-games.blogspot.com/ for details of loads of strange sports, games and pastimes.

The fine sport of Finger Jousting gets a listing.

Minigolf and Crazy Golf both get listed too!

"Top 10 finish for Gottfried" Luton News

The Luton News reported on the final tournament on the 2009 BMGA Tour with the story "Top 10 finish for Gottfried."

You can read the full story here.

Thank you to the team at the Luton News for their support and coverage of me and Emily during the minigolf season, it is very much appreciated.

Still not played - Cliftonville Crazy Golf!

Prior to last Sunday's Kent Open minigolf tournament we popped along to the little Oasis Crazy Golf Course in Cliftonvolle, Margate hoping to be able to play the second 18-hole Arnold Palmer course.

Unfortunately it was closed (again!) so wasn't the 156th course played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.



Perhaps I'll get to play it in 2010!

You can check out my previous attempts to play the course here.

Minigolf Report – Kent Open

2nd November 2009
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Kent Open

Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried picked up his tenth top 10 finish of the season as he finished in 8th spot of 24 players in the season closing Kent Open in Margate on Sunday 1st November.

In very wet weather conditions at the 18-hole Strokes Adventure Golf course Richard managed rounds of 44 (+8), 41 (+5) and 36 (par) for a 54-hole total of 121 (+13).


The tournament was won following a play-off by London’s Nick Chitty with a score of 108 (par).

Richard said “Despite the terrible weather I managed to put together some good rounds. Last year I was 13th here so to get 8th place and another top ten finish is great.”

The new BMGA Season begins in January 2010 when Richard will be competing in the BMGA National Open at Star City, Birmingham.

Ends

Action from the final of the 2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships

Action from the final of the 2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships that took place in Hastings on Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th October 2009.

The leading group of Keith Kellard, Peter Emmerson and Anthony Pope play the final hole in the final round, with all three players scoring a hole in one!

Keith Kellard became the new World Crazy Golf Champion with an impressive 5 shot victory over the rest of the 83-strong field. Peter Emmerson was second, with Finland's John Mittler third.

Full results of the tournament can be found here.



The Gottfried's report can be found here.

Crazy Golf Snail

Spotted on the 16th Hole at Hastings Crazy Golf last weekend - a snail on the course!?

Results of the www.miniaturegolfer.com '9 Best' Crazy Golf Championships

Results of the www.miniaturegolfer.com '9 Best' Crazy Golf Championships, held in Hastings on 23/10/09.

1. Peter Emmerson 16
2. Anthony Pope 17
3. Richard Gottfried 19
3. Sean Homer 19
5. Tim 'Ace Man' Davies 20
6. Trevor Robertson 22
7. Gareth Holmes 23
8. Alan Norman 25
9. Brad Shepherd 25
10.Janette Robertson 28
10.Martin Robertson 28
12.Chris Jones 30

"Gottfrieds do like to be beside the seaside" Luton News story

This week the Luton News reported on our competing in the 2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships, and the www.miniaturegolfer.com '9 Best' Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings.

You can check out the story here.

Adventure Golf at Watford TopGolf

This evening we made a return visit to the 8th course we played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Watford TopGolf.

The 18-hole 'Florida-style' had changed a little since our last visit, with some new rock obstacles added to some of the holes.

The 9-hole Indoor Putting Green Course is now only a four/five hole set-up as seating has replaced part of the course.

The visit was also a chance to spend some of my winnings at the American Golf store from victories earlier in the season at the Manchester Mini Masters and Manchester Miniature Open.

In our match-up I beat Emily 45 shots to 48.

See also - http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/12/results-of-third-annual-watford-classic.html

World Crazy Golf Championships - practice

Practice at the Crazy Golf course in Hastings ahead of the 2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships.

Gottfried vs. Holmes-Crazy Golf Challenge Match in Hastings

Prior to the 2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings Midlands Minigolf Club member Richard Gottfried took on the London Minigolf Club's Gareth Holmes in a 'two-hole' Crazy Golf Challenge Match.

After playing holes 1 & 18 the scores were tied and a decider was needed. Finland's John Mittler chose the second hole for the play-off, Richard was up first in the sudden death play-off, watch to find out what happened...

Not so Wacky, Waving, Inflatable, Arm-Flailing, Tube-man in London

While in London I spotted a not so Wacky, Waving, Inflatable, Arm-Flailing, Tube-man this time advertising a Car Wash in Tower Hill!


Rather than the usual 'billowing and flailing' action of the Tube-Man it was so full of air it was completely static!

Check out the link below for other examples of Wacky, Waving, Inflatable, Arm-Flailing, Tube-men I've seen on my travels:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/05/wacky-waving-inflatable-arm-flailing.html

Gluten Free in London - Lunch & Dinner!!!

As well as finding two new courses on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour while in London on Wednesday, we also found two new places to eat that were suitable for Coeliacs.

For the first time since my diagnosis I was able to eat out and had a great Miso Soba in Pod at Devonshire Square, and Dinner at PJ's in Covent Garden (while sat at the 'Su Pollard' table!). Both places are highly recommended, whether you're a Coeliac or not!




While in Kentish Town we also spotted a cafe that served Gluten Free food! Unfortunately I wasn't hungry enough to venture in - I will do next time I'm there though.