Snow Day in Luton...

...means Sledging!

Richard 'The Snowman' Gottfried.

The sledge-run at Farley Hill, Luton.

A view across Luton towards Popes Meadow.

The sledge-run at Popes Meadow.

Other Ham & Egger Files Blog Posts about Snow and Sledges in Luton:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/02/new-sledge.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/02/sledges-slegdes-sic-snowboards.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/02/snow-halts-play.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/02/groundhog-day-2009.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/03/snow-day-crazy-golf-course.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/03/car-park-snow-golf.html

Videos from the 'Safe Route Challenge' Minigolf Competition

Footage from the Minigolf Doubles Matchplay match played on the Lost Hut Trail course at Adventure Island Mini Golf at Star City, Birmingham.

Richard Gottfried and Paul Johnson teamed up (as 'The Pineapple Bits') to take on Owen Johnson and former World Crazy Golf Champion Chris Harding (as 'The Grapefruit Chunks') in the first-ever 'Safe Route Challenge' Minigolf Competition.











The match was played during our visit to Adventure Island Mini Golf in Birmingham for Unlimited Minigolf on Monday 7th December 2009.

New Felixstowe Crazy Golf Course - an update

On our visit to Felixstowe, Suffolk I took the opportunity to have a look and see how the new 9-hole Sea Front Crazy Golf course was coming along.

However, it looks like the course won't be completed soon as they frames for the holes have been removed. Hopefully they have just been put into storage over the winter and the course will be completed in 2010.


A photo of the partly built course back in May of this year can be seen at http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/05/minigolf-course-re-visits-5-6-7-33-and.html

Below is a photo of the course layout back in May 2008.

The 18-hole Putting Course and Sea Front Crazy Golf are still there though.

Minigolf Report in the Luton News - "Brief respite for Gottfrieds"

This week's Luton News & Dunstable Gazette (page 78) had a report - "Brief respite for Gottfrieds" - about our latest Crazy Golf tournaments in London and Birmingham.

Minigolf course visits 200, 201, 202 and 203...

...on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour were made over the weekend!

Details, photos, videos and results from Irregular Mini Golf Tour events will follow soon.

Talking Crazy Golf on Danny Baker's 5 Live Radio Show

On Saturday 12th December I was on Danny Baker's show on Radio 5 Live as he was talking about Crazy Golf.

You can download the show's Podcast here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/series/dannybaker/

I'm on from 26 and a half minutes in.

Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s Pre-Season Results

11th December 2009
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s Pre-Season Results

During the close-season break in British Minigolf Association (BMGA) tournaments Luton Minigolfers Richard & Emily Gottfried have been preparing for the start of the 2010 Season with friendly matches in Birmingham and an independent competition in London.

On Monday 7th December Richard travelled to the Adventure Island Mini Golf Course at Star City, Birmingham for pre-season matches versus fellow Midlands Minigolf Club Members.

In a friendly match versus Chris Harding, Paul Johnson and Owen Johnson on the Hidden Cove Challenge course Richard scored 37(+1) to finish 3rd.

In the evening’s second competition, held on the Lost Hut Trail course Richard hit a 42(+6) to again finish 3rd.

In the third friendly round of the evening Richard scored a 37(+1) to former World Crazy Golf Champion Chris Harding's 32(-4) to lose by five shots on the Lost Hut Trail.

In an 18-hole Doubles Matchplay match on the Lost Hut Trail course Richard teamed with Paul Johnson to take on Owen Johnson and Chris Harding, losing 3&2.

On Thursday 10th December 2009 Richard and Emily were among twelve BMGA Minigolfers that competed in the 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge played on the temporarily Christmas-themed Minigolf course at Devonshire Square in London.

The 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge competition took place over 17-holes and the event was won by Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd of the London Minigolf Club, with a score of 41 (+7). Richard finished in fifth place seven shots off the lead with 48 (+14). Emily finished in tied ninth place with Martin Robertson after both finished on 54 (+20).

During the three month close-season Richard and Emily will be touring a number of other courses around the country, as well as practicing at the 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 BMGA Tour.

Ends

Minigolf Course Visit No. 199(b) & 155.5 course played!

By visiting the Christmas-themed Minigolf course at Devonshire Square in London for the 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge competition I also hit somewhat of a 'milestone' on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour as it was Minigolf Course Visit 199(b) and the 155th (and a bit) course I've played since September 2006!



Back in May of this year I hit the '100 courses visited mark' at Pops Meadow Putting Green in Gorleston-on-Sea, and the next minigolf course we visit on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour will be number 200!

View other courses visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Link to a blog post about other Mini Golf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf courses in and around London.

2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge at Devonshire Square

Officially Unofficial Minigolf Report & Results of the 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge at Devonshire Square

On Thursday 10th December 2009 eleven of Great Britain’s finest minigolfers, along with a New Zealand Crazy Golfer, descended on the temporarily Christmas-themed Minigolf course at Devonshire Square in London to compete in the 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge.


The 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge competition took place over 17-holes and the event was won by Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd of the London Minigolf Club. Brad’s score of 41 (+7) was four shots clear of his nearest rivals, the duo of Nick 'Top Hole' Chitty and 'Stormin' Alan Norman who tied on 45 (+11) after the 17-holes of regulation play.

The tie could not be decided on holes-in-one either as both Alan and Nick had scored two Aces apiece. A sudden-death play-off would decide the winner, and it was reigning Kent Open Champion and Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club member Nick Chitty who claimed the runner-up spot at the second extra hole (The Ferris Wheel).

Photos below: Winner Brad Shepherd, Nick Chitty and Alan Norman receive their rosettes from 'Squire' Richard Gottfried.



4th place was also decided with a play-off, as Jon ‘The Stance’ Angel defeated Lionel ‘The Spoon’ Bender after both had tied on 47 (+13).

In 6th place was Luton’s ‘Squire’ Richard Gottfried with a score of 48 (+14). London’s David ‘Man of Question’ Corkett was seventh on 52 (+18), Surrey’s Trevor ‘Trevino/Lord of Smeeth’ Robertson picked up another minigolf competition top-ten finish this year (following his 6th place in the MiniatureGolfer.com '9 Best' Crazy Golf Championships in October) with 8th spot.

Tied in 9th place and deciding against a play-off were Martin ‘Smashing’ Robertson and Emily ‘Coach’ Gottfried, who both scored 54 (+20). Reigning BMGA British Master Chris ‘Stretch’ Jones was 11th after hitting a 55 (+21).

Picking up the wooden spoon with a score of 58 (+24) was New Zealand’s Kelly Maaka, who was playing in only her fourth minigolf competition, following the New Malden Invitational, Motspur Park Classic and a Minigolf Doubles Match at the Jurassic Encounter back in March 2009.





View other courses visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Link to a blog post about other Mini Golf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf courses in and around London.

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course visit number 199b (Coming Soon)

Watch this space!

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.