Sunday, December 04, 2011

Crazy Golf course visited, but not played, in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

On our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour trip to Teesside we made a visit to the 12-hole Crazy Golf course at Preston Hall Museum and Park in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees.

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Prior to our visit we knew the course would not be open and playable as I've been in contact with the new owners of the course who have plans to refurbish and reopen the course in the 2012.

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

We did have a wander around and had a look at the existing course.

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

To be honest, on our travels to the 436 Miniature Golf courses prior to visiting Eaglescliffe we have found some really Crazy Golf horror courses, many of which we've actually paid to play, so on seeing the condition of the Preston Hall Park course we didn't think it was that bad and obviously would have given it a play had it been open.

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

The borders of the course are solid and holes, such as the first (below), reminded me of Beton and Eternit type courses with wall shots needed.

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

The felt was worn in places and some holes had had patches replaced.

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Leaf fall was a bit of a problem too!

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

We're looking forward to a return visit when the Crazy Golf course has been refurbed and we'll be having a look around the Museum there too, as it was also closed for a refurb on our visit.

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Crazy Golf in Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

Photos of the Stockton-on-Tees Crazy Golf course at Preston Hall Museum and Park on MiniatureGolfer.com

Link to more course visits on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Saturday, December 03, 2011

Crazy Golf article in December 2011 Issue of Picture Postcard Monthly.

An article about Crazy Golf Postcards written by me and fellow Crazy Golf Museum Curator Tim 'Ace Man' Davies has been published in the December 2011 issue of Picture Postcard Monthly.

Picture Postcard Monthly is the top magazine for collectors of old and modern postcards worldwide and has been informing and entertaining the postcard world since 1980.

The Crazy Golf Postcards article looks at the history of Miniature Golf and Crazy Golf around the world since 1867, as well as featuring 14 postcard images showing a wide-range of Minigolf courses.

Issue 392, December 2011 costs £2.60 (+85p P&P) and also features articles on such topics as the Women’s Land Army, to Comic postcards from New Zealand, and Are postcards better mint or used? As it’s the Christmas issue there are also a number of seasonal articles, including one on Seasonal greetings from outer space!

You can order the latest issue of Picture Postcard Monthly online, details of the December 2011 issue can be found here.

Friday, December 02, 2011

Winners of the Putterfingers Micro Putt Minigolf Competition Announced

I am one of the five winners of a Putterfingers Masters Golf Putt Returner having competed in the Putterfingers Micro Putt Online Mini Golf Competition!


Micro Putt Mini Golf Game by Mochi Games

The overall winner was my BMGA Tour Minigolf rival James 'The Rocket' Rutherford who managed to score 2,868 with five holes-in-one in a rown and completed in 32 seconds!

The four other competition winners were tied on 2,867 points. Along with Laurence Wicks we completed the course in 33 seconds, with Laurence playing 143 times, while I had 118 plays. 'The Rocket' played the game a total of 218 times!

Others in tied second-place were Seth 'Clockwork Orange' Thomas and Stu 'British #66' Bowker.

Read the news item on the Putterfingers Blog.

You can still check out the Putterfingers Micro Putt Mini Golf Game here.

Putterfingers Web Links
- Putterfingers website
- Putterfingers Facebook page
- Putterfingers Micro Putt Mini Golf Game

Thursday, December 01, 2011

Crazy Golf at Stokesley Golf Range, Middlesbrough - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

On Monday 28th November 2011 we headed north to visit the 12-hole Crazy Golf course at Stokesley Golf Range in Stokesley, Middlesbrough. The course became the 277th course played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.


The Crazy Golf course is in very good condition and has some tricky obstacles, notably the Windmill, Volcano and the 12th! It costs £3.75 a round for adults, but for an extra quid you can have a second round, which is nice. The course is very playable, so £4.75 for 24-holes is not bad at all.

Stokesley Golf Range is also home to a 9-hole Golf course and a Driving Range.

Photos of the 12-hole Crazy Golf course, including Sponsors Boards at each hole (a very good bit of business).

















The 9th hole is incredibly long and twisty, see the video below for the best view of it!











Photos from play during the Stokesley (NO/NIT) Classic Minigolf Tournament played at the course between 'Squire' Richard Gottfried, Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried and John 'Thighs' Moore.




Stokesley Golf Range is another visitor attraction that you can find if you follow the brown signs...


Stokesley Golf Range website

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour