Wickford Memorial Park, Wickford, Essex - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Visit - Derelict Course

Following our visit to the Novelty Golf course in Billericay's Lake Meadows Park in Essex on Saturday 10th July 2010, we headed to Wickford Memorial Park, Wickford, Essex to seek out another 'Novelty Golf' course.



Unfortunately this course was an 18-hole derelict.

















Speaking to some locals at the park, we found out that the 18-hole course had been abandoned some time ago, and it is no longer used. A real shame, as it was easily accessible and the park was a fair size too.

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

Novelty Golf in Billericay (Lake Meadows Park) - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Visit #182

The 182nd course that we managed to visit and play on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour was the 18-hole 'Novelty Golf' course at Billericay's Lake Meadows Park in Essex on Saturday 10th July 2010.


The price to play the course was only 75p per round (with a refundable £1 deposit for equipment per player). That's just 4p per hole!

The course was not in the greatest of conditions, but was actually surprisingly still fun to play! Concrete (and felt-less) courses with wear and tear are always difficult to play, but I did still manage five holes-in-one and a total score of 39(+3). Emily managed a 49(+13).
The 4th/5th holes were very interesting as they were a cross-over hole. With the bridge on the 5th containing a hole down to the pipe on the 4th if you were unlucky enough to drop down!







Hole 10 was certainly 'novel' too, as it contained two holes on the 'green' itself!?










The Novelty Golf course in Lake Meadows Park was almost exactly the same as the (unfortunately) derelict Novelty Golf course in Wickford Memorial Park that we visited later the same day. Speaking to some locals in Wickford, the 18-hole course had been abandoned some time ago, and it is no longer used. A real shame, as it was easily accessible and the park was a fair size too.

Lake Meadows park also had a large Pitch & Putt course that was called 'Miniature Golf'. Unfortunately we didn't have time to play it.



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

Filey - Ocean Drive Crazy Golf - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Played #56 (from the Archives)

On the same Northern Roadtrip that saw us play at the 9-hole Minigolf course in Coalville, Leicestershire, and the 9-hole Adventure Golf course in Scarborough, we also played the 9-hole Ocean Drive Crazy Golf course in Filey, North Yorkshire.


The visit on the 15th June 2008 was the 56th course played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

In our match-up me and Daniel Marsh both scored 22(+4), with Emily on 27(+9). This forced a play-off, which was played on hole three. I scored a two, while Daniel scored a three, meaning I took the victory.





It was a good course, with some interesting bounce/rebound from the rope border. A great Lobster obstacle was a real focal point of the course!

Scarborough - Adventure Golf - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Played #55 (from the Archives)

Back in June 2008 we visited Scarborough, North Yorkshire, while on a roadtrip to Northallerton.

On the seafront there is a 9-hole Adventure Golf course, which was the location for our competitive round of minigolf, and the 55th course played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Emily scored a 29(+11) to take the win, I scored a 34(+16) for the runner-up spot, and third was our friend Daniel Marsh on 38(+20).






On the same Roadtrip we also played the 9-hole Minigolf course in Coalville, Leicestershire, and the 9-hole Crazy Golf course in Filey, North Yorkshire.

Duck Curry Supper - A Minigolf Recipe for Disaster or Success?

BMGA Tour Rookie (and Minigolf Blogger) Oliver 'The Machine' Florence has been talking about his pre-tournament diet and restaurant visiting regimen since his BMGA Tour Debut back at the BMGA National Open in January 2010.

Eager to improve, Ollie has been asking for hints and tips on both his game, and his diet, ahead of tournaments, and is partial to a Mild Curry before a big competition!

Back in April Florence asked his blog-readers to vote on a suitable pre-match meal, the results of which pointed to having a 'Chicken curry supper' ahead of the BMGA Scottish Open in May (where The Machine finished 20th).

While in Worthing for the BMGA British Matchplay Championships Ollie was unable to join us for a Curry at Le Spice (which offers Gluten Free options!) instead heading off to a Stag Do in Brighton (that wasn't reached due to 'unforeseen circumstances'!?).

I opted for an unusual approach and plumped for a Duck Curry - rather than Ham & Eggs, or a juicy rib-eye steak (my usual pre-competition choices) - which may, or may not, have played a part in my runner-up spot in the BMGA British Matchplay Championships itself!

As somewhat of an expert on the dining habits of the minigolfer I am quoted as saying in Ollie's blog post about his change of diet "Florence ponders diet change to break tournament duck" "...I don’t think there’s much rhyme or reason behind pre-match food routines though. Ollie should stick with his pre-match curries and keep on practising and he’ll get there. It’s about how you play on the course on the day that counts, not what you’ve filled up with on the night before."

Gottfried's Minigolf Report in the Luton News - BMGA British Matchplay Championships 2010

My latest minigolf tournament report, from the BMGA British Matchplay Championships in Worthing, is in this week's Luton News and Dunstable Gazette newspapers.

You can also read the story on the LutonToday.co.uk website - "Gottfried beaten in BMGA British Matchplay Championships final."

Marine Gardens in Worthing - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Visit - Course Closed for the Day

Following the 2010 BMGA British Matchplay Championships that took place at the new Splash Point Mini Golf course in Denton Gardens, we headed a mile or so along the coast to Marine Gardens, where the Minigolfing Robertson Brothers - Trevor and Martin - had told us there was a fantastic Putting course.


Unfortunately it was a little late in the day and the course was closed.




We will have a play of it on our next trip to Worthing.

The details of our visit to the Splash Point Mini Golf course can be found at Crazy World of Minigolf Course Visit #181.

Gluten Free in Worthing

Ahead of the BMGA British Matchplay Championships weekend in Worthing we had heard that the town had a number of good places for Coeliacs to eat at, offering a range of Gluten Free options.

Those that we had a chance to try were:

Le Spice Indian Restaurant - I had an excellent Gluten Free Duck Curry, in the fine company of my fellow Midlands Minigolf Club members (and Donkey Gringo from our rivals the Kent Minigolf Club).

Wright's Cafe - where I had a good Bacon and Brie Roll.

Liming Mexican Grill and Bar - where we spent some of my minigolf prize money on a fantastic meal.

Ahead of our visit the Gluten Free Foodies on Twitter were able to recommend some places to eat too.

If you happen to be in Worthing, West Sussex, do check out the 18-hole Splash Point Mini Golf in Denton Gardens too!

Splash Point Mini Golf in Worthing - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Visit #181

The home of the 2010 BMGA British Matchplay Championships, Splash Point Mini Golf at Denton Gardens in Worthing, West Sussex is a brand new 18-hole Minigolf course, designed and built by two BMGA Tour Members - Anthony Pope and Peter Emmerson.

The visit to the excellent course was number 181 on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. The photos below show the course as it was when we first arrived late on Friday 2nd July, on Saturday 3rd July, and on tournament-day Sunday 4th July.







It's a brilliant (and tough course), and well worth a visit. Anthony and Peter have put a lot of hard work into setting up the course and it's a real asset to Worthing. I'm sure if you pop by Anthony or Peter would be happy to give out some top tips. And if you're a local you could also join the Splash Point Mini Golf Club (SPMGC).

Photo: From l-r Anthony Pope, Richard Gottfried & Peter Emmerson.

Link to the Splash Point Mini Golf Course website.

Minigolf Report – BMGA British Matchplay Championships 2010

5th July 2010
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – BMGA British Matchplay Championships

Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried was runner-up in the BMGA British Matchplay Championships held at the new 18-hole Splash Point Mini Golf course at Denton Gardens in Worthing, West Sussex on Sunday 4th July. The winner was Kent’s Sean Homer, who defeated Richard 3&1 in the final.

The tournament was played over five rounds, with 32 players competing for the title. The format of the event saw each competitor playing five 18-hole matchplay format matches through the day, with the player who won all five of their games being crowned the 2010 BMGA British Matchplay Champion.

Photo: The 32 Competitors line-up before tee-off

In round one Richard was drawn to face Welsh Ladies Number One, Cindy Kukielka from Cwmbran. After going one-down at the first hole, Richard recovered to take the lead and close out the match with a 3&2 win. The victory guaranteed Richard a top-16 finish.

Photo: Richard Gottfried & Cindy Kukielka exchange goodwill gifts before their match

In match two Richard faced the British Minigolf Association’s current number one ranked player, Birmingham’s Chris Harding. With Richard leading for most of the match, Harding rallied with three holes-in-one on the last three holes to force a sudden-death play-off. Richard was able to win this and progress to round three, and the play-offs for the top eight positions.

Photo: Richard Gottfried playing Hole 1 in his match against Chris Harding

In match three Richard was drawn to play Cambridge’s Tony Kelly. This match again went the distance with Richard eventually winning one-up, and taking him into the draw for the top four places.

In the fourth match Richard faced off against London’s Brad Shepherd. In another close match Richard was able to force a play-off, which he won at the first-extra hole to set-up an appearance in the final against Sean Homer.

Photo: Richard Gottfried playing Hole 4 in his match against Brad Shepherd

In the final Richard gained an early lead, which was pegged by Homer, who went on to take a four-hole lead. Richard managed to win back three-holes, but with the match at Dormie Two, Homer hit a hole-in-one on the 17th hole to seal a victory and leave Richard with his fourth BMGA Tour Career runner-up spot.

Richard said “I’m obviously disappointed not to have won, but Sean beat me with some great play and fine aces, I didn’t lose the match with poor play. My game was solid throughout the tournament and I made some great shots. Before the tournament my singles matchplay record didn’t look that great, but now with four more wins in a very intense competition it looks a lot healthier. The brand new course at Splash Point in Worthing is also very testing, and a perfect venue for a matchplay event. I can’t wait to play there again soon.”

Splash Point Strokeplay Competition

In the Saturday night warm-up event for the BMGA British Matchplay Championships Richard took part in the first-ever Splash Point Strokeplay Competition and finished in 9th place with a two-round total of 87(+15), after scores of 47(+11) and 40(+4). Fifteen players competed in the Splash Point Strokeplay Competition, which was won by Brighton’s Anthony Pope, following a sudden-death play-off victory against Oxford’s Michael Smith, after both players had scored 67(-5) over the 36-holes.

Photo: The competitors line-up at the 2010 Splash Point Strokeplay Competition

Ends

Runner-up in the 2010 BMGA British Matchplay Championships in Worthing

Today I was runner-up in the 2010 BMGA British Matchplay Championships at the new Splash Point Mini Golf course in Worthing.

A full report, along with photos and details of the course visit are to follow.