The Minigolfers Christmas 'Do' 2010

Nine of the UK's top minigolfers headed to the Urban Golf BIG Golf centre in High Street Kensington on Thursday 16th December 2010 to compete in two Christmas 'Golf' Competitions.

First up was the "Sim BIG Golf Par-3's of the World Doubles Challenge" followed by the "Christmas Minigolf 9-Hole Putting Green Sudden Death Challenge".


In the Sim BIG Golf Par-3's of the World Doubles Challenge a total of 7-holes were played before the two-hour time limit on our bay expired and we were booted off. Therefore the 'par' for the event was 21-shots.

The team of former World Crazy Golf Champion Keith Kellard and 2010 London Invitational Minigolf Champion Jon Angel were the winners by one-shot, with a total of 35(+14). The team or Trevor and Martin Robertson were able to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, having led after 3 holes!

The best score on any of the holes, was a 2, hit by Alan 'Stormin' Norman on the 5th hole, which he left just half a yard short of the hole with his tee-shot!

Sim BIG Golf Par-3's of the World Doubles Challenge - Results
Rank Team Score
1 KJ Choice (Keith Kellard & Jon Angel) - 35(+14)
2 The Lecherous Morons (Brad Shepherd & Richard Gottfried) - 36(+15)
2 Stretch Alan (Chris Jones & Alan Norman) - 36(+15)
4 Robbo (Trevor Robertson & Martin Robertson) - 37(+16)

Hole by hole scores:
KJ Choice 6, 5, 6, 3, 4, 5, 6 - 35(+14)
The Lecherous Morons 6, 5, 6, 5, 4, 4, 6 - 36(+15)
Stretch Alan 6, 5, 6, 6, 2, 6, 5- 36(+15)
Robbo 6, 4, 5, 6, 6, 4, 6 - 37(+16)

Photos from the Competition:

Non-player Emily Gottfried tees-off the competition with a ceremonial first-drive.

In the Christmas Minigolf 9-Hole Putting Green Sudden Death Challenge, the order of play was decided by a random draw, with Trevor 'Trevino' Robertson drawn to play first. Each player had to get a hole-in-one on each of the 9-holes on the Putting Course, but were eliminated if they failed to Ace the hole.

The reigning and defending 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf 'Do' Champion Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd was able to Ace 4 of the 9 Holes and became the only two-time Crimbo Champ, winning a Toy Story 3 Miniature Golf Course Set for his troubles.


Christmas Minigolf 9-Hole Putting Green Sudden Death Challenge - Results
Rank Player Aces/Holes Completed
1 Brad Shepherd - 4
2 Jon Angel - 3
2 Keith Kellard - 3
4 Chris Jones - 2
5 Emily Gottfried - 1
5 Alan Norman - 1
5 Martin Robertson - 1
5 Richard Gottfried - 1
9 Trevor Robertson - 0

Notes:
- 2004 Christmas Minigolf Champion Lionel 'The Spoon' Bender withdrew from the evenings festivities so didn't have a stab at the title he won eons ago.
- Oliver 'The Machine' Florence had to withdraw due to a clash of Christmas 'Do's'

Photos of the Putting Competition:















Both tournaments held Ranking Points for The Irregular Mini Golf Tour Ranking List (to be updated before the year is out - hopefully!).

The 9-hole Putting Green is now the 209th course played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour (we had previously visited the centre, but did not play, back in October).


Results of the 2009 Christmas Minigolf 'Do' - The Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge at Devonshire Square.

Gluten Free Meal at The Golden Fleece Pub and Dining Rooms in Braughing, Hertfordshire

On our way back from Ipswich on Sunday night we stopped off for some food at The Golden Fleece Pub and Dining Rooms in Braughing, Hertfordshire.


We'd heard that the pub could cater for Coeliacs (as the owners used to run The George & Dragon Pub in Watton-at-Stone) and that they offer a huge Gluten Free menu.

I opted for the 3-course Christmas Dinner - and very good it was too (even the Brussels Sprouts!).


If I hadn't been driving I would have definitely had a Gluten Free Beer or two too! They sell bottles of Hambleton's GFA and GFL.

The Golden Fleece is located off the A10 between Ware and Buntingford
The Golden Fleece
20 Green End
Braughing
Hertfordshire
SG11 2PG

Well worth a visit (whether you're a Coeliac or not).

Putting Greens in Witnesham (near Westerfield, Ipswich) - Fynn Valley Golf Club - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

On Sunday 12th December 2010 while driving through Ipswich we spotted a sign on a roundabout advertising the Fynn Valley Golf Club in nearby Witnesham. We decided to have a look to see what was there, and found two Putting Greens! The Golf Club also has an 18-hole course and a 9-hole course, along with a Driving Range.

The Putting Course below is located next to the Driving Range.

The Putting Green below is located beside the first tee.

Felixstowe Minigolf Updates - and a Match at Mannings

On Saturday 11th December we headed to Felixstowe, Suffolk to re-visit the minigolf courses there.


First up was a visit to Mannings Amusements, where we played an Irregular Mini Golf match at the Indoor Magical Golf.










I defeated Emily in the Irregular Mini Golf Tour match 36 shots to 41. Neither of us won a free game though.

The Magical Golf course was originally the 5th course we played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, back when it was called Golf FX.

Next we had a look at the Adventure Golf course. It was closed for the season.

A view of the 9-hole Adventure Golf Course in Felixstowe (December 2010).








A little way along the seafront we found that the 'storied' Hollywood Holes Crazy Golf course has now been removed!


The well-travelled 'Hollywood Holes' are no longer there!?



There's also a 'Dolphin' Guarding the Go Karts and Fairground (much like the one at the Crazy Golf course in St Albans).

Next up we had a look at the location where a course was going to be built a couple of years ago, it's next to the Donkey Rides area (itself formerly a Putting Course).


A little way down the seafront, next to the Leisure Centre and Pier, we had a look at the area that used to house a Crazy Golf course. It's still empty, although you can see where the holes used to sit.