Minigolf Course Visit No. 82 & 83 - Boondocks, Colorado

A visit to Boondocks Fun Center in Northglenn, USA.

While in Denver I travelled 12 miles north of the city to visit and play Minigolf courses number 82 & 83 on my world tour of Minigolf courses.

Located at Boondocks Fun Center in the town of Northglenn, Colorado are two 18-hole courses - the Caverns Mill and Hillbilly Hallow - that sit next to Interstate-25.

As it was $12 Tuesday I had unlimited Miniature Golf and managed to fit in three rounds on the very busy courses.

My scores were:
- Hillbilly Hallow Course - 50(+14)
- Caverns Mill Course - 48(+12)
- Hillbilly Hallow Course - 44(+8)

As they were very over-par scores it proves that (mini)golf balls do go farther at high altitude!






Distance from Luton, UK to Northglenn, Colorado, USA:
- 4664.9 miles
- 7507.4 kilometres
- 4053.7 nautical miles
- Holes played = 54
- Holes in One = 3 in 54 holes
- 86.3 miles travelled per hole
- 1554.9 miles travelled per hole in one

Related blog post:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Links:
- Boondocks Fun Center
- Boondocks Colorado on Facebook

Denver - the Mile High City

Denver, Colorado is nicknamed the Mile High City because its official elevation is exactly one mile, or 5,280 feet (1,609 metres) above sea level.

It is a fact that because of the high altitude sporting feats are improved e.g. when hitting a golf ball it will travel 10-20% further than at sea level.

On a recent visit to Denver I had the opportunity to test out this theory with two of my favourite sports - Minigolf & Tenpin Bowling. Check out the blog posts for the results.

Minigolf Course Visit No. 82 & 83 - Boondocks, Colorado

Tenpin Bowling at Lucky Strike Lanes, Denver, CO, USA

Minigolf Report – New Malden Invitational & Motspur Park Classic

On Saturday 21st March Luton Minigolfers Richard and Emily Gottfried accepted invitations from the London Minigolf Club (LMC) to compete in the New Malden Invitational and the Motspur Park Classic Minigolf competitions in South London.

Held at the Jurassic Encounter Adventure Golf Course in London, the New Malden Invitational took place over 18-holes with seven players competing. The LMC’s Brad Shepherd won with a score of 37 (+1). Lionel Bender beat Gareth Holmes in a play-off for second place after both players scored 38 (+2). Emily Gottfried took 5th place with a score of 40 (+4) which included two holes-in-one, while Richard Gottfried had to settle for 6th place with a disappointing 44 (+8) after taking a seven on the 16th hole.

The Motspur Park Classic took place at the 18-hole Minigolf Course at Sir Joseph Hood Memorial Park, Motspur Park with eight players competing. And again it was the LMC’s Brad Shepherd who took the victory with a round of 39 (+3). Lionel Bender was second with 43 (+7) and Marc Chapman was 3rd with 45 (+9). Richard finished in fifth spot with a 48 (+12) and Emily was 6th with 53 (+17).

Emily said “I felt I played better than my scores reflected but it is good to get some practice in these invitationals ahead of some of the big tournaments.”

Richard said “I had some good rounds that were ruined by some poor play on one or two holes. The 16th at New Malden is a difficult hole and getting a seven was disappointing, but at least I know what I need to improve on for the next time I compete there.”

Richard Gottfried is currently ranked 14th of 68 in the BMGA Order of Merit Rankings while Emily Gottfried is in 46th place.

Minigolf Doubles – Career Stats

Richard Gottfried's Career Minigolf Doubles Matchplay Stats:
Played – 11*
Won – 5
Drawn – 1
Lost – 5
* Seven matches at the 2008 BMGA British Doubles Championship, Warwick (with Emily Gottfried) and four matches at Star City, Birmingham (with Andy Gonsalves x 2, Matt Smith & Owen Johnson).

Richard Gottfried's Career Minigolf Doubles Strokeplay Stats:
Played – 3*
Won – 1
Lost – 2
Drawn – 0
* Includes matches with playing partners Owen Johnson (Star City), Paul Johnson (Star City) and Emily Gottfried (New Malden).

Latest Minigolf Doubles Match Results

18-Hole Minigolf Doubles Strokeplay Match (all scores count) at the Jurassic Encounter Adventure Golf Course at New Malden on 21.03.09:
Richard Gottfried & Emily Gottfried beat Brad Shepherd & Kelly Maaka 84 (+12) to 86 (+14).

18-Hole Minigolf Doubles Strokeplay Match (alternate shots) at the Adventure Island Mini Golf Course at Star City, Birmingham on 02.03.09:
The Team of Chris Harding & Owen Johnson aka ‘The Best’ beat Paul Johnson & Richard Gottfried aka ‘The Rudi Specials’ 36 (par) to 42 (+6).

Minigolf Course Visit No. 81 - Sir Joseph Hood Park, Motspur Park

On Saturday 21st March 2009 I visited and played at my 81st Minigolf course. The excellent 18-Hole course at Sir Joseph Hood Park, Motspur Park.

Results of the Motspur Park Classic

Motspur Park Classic
21/03/09

Played at the 18-Hole Minigolf course at Sir Joseph Hood Park, London.

Rank Player Score
1 Brad Shepherd 39
2 Lionel Bender 43
3 Marc Chapman 45
4 Gareth Holmes 47
5 Richard Gottfried 48
6 Emily Gottfried 53
7 Alan Norman 54
8 Kelly Maaka 60

Results of the New Malden Invitational

New Malden Invitational
21/03/09

Played at the Jurassic Encounter 18-Hole Adventure Golf course in New Malden.

Rank Player Score
1 Brad Shepherd 37
2 Lionel Bender* 38
3 Gareth Holmes 38
4 Marc Chapman 39
5 Emily Gottfried 40
6 Richard Gottfried 44
7 Kelly Maaka 49

* Won a play-off at the second extra hole

Miniature Golfer Awards 2008

www.miniaturegolfer.com has unveiled the winners of the Miniature Golfer Awards 2008 and 'Squire' Richard Gottfried picked up the 'Most improved player on the BMGA tour' Award.

An excellent season in 2008 saw Richard win the BMGA British Club Championships as a member of the Midlands Minigolf Club, represent Great Britain in the Nations Cup in Finland, and win the inaugural Weymouth Open. At the end of the 2008 BMGA Tour Richard was ranked 14th of 68 players in the BMGA Order of Merit and 8th of 129 players in the BMGA Season Only Rankings List.

You can view all of the award categories and winners here: http://www.miniaturegolfer.com/miniaturegolfer_forum_awards.html

Minigolf Course Visit No. 80 - Bluewater Shopping Centre, Kent

On Sunday 1st March we visited the 80th course on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, the 9-Hole Putting course at Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent.








Irregular Mini Golf Tour Results - 01/03/09
The Bluewater Classic
Richard Gottfried - 22(+4) & 22(+4) = 44(+8)
Emily Gottfried - 24(+6) & 25(+7) = 49(+13)
Richard wins

Bluewater Matchplay Championships
Match 1 - Richard wins 2&1
Match 2 - Richard wins 1 up

Latest Irregular Mini Golf Tour Results - Gravesend

28th February 2009

Woodlands Park BYO Open
Richard Gottfried - 43(+7)
Emily Gottfried - 43(+7)

Play-off:
5th Hole - EG 2 & RG 2
5th Hole - EG 2 & RG 2
14the Hole - EG 4 & RG 1

Richard wins at the third extra hole with an Ace.

Gravesend Classic
Emily Gottfried beats Richard Gottfried 3 & 2.

Hole...in...one

An Ace on the 5th hole at Woodlands Park in Gravesend, Kent.




Related blog posts:
- Minigolf Course Visit No. 79 - Woodlands Park, Gravesend
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Minigolf Course Visit No. 79 - Woodlands Park, Gravesend

On Saturday 28th February 2009 we visited Woodlands Park in Gravesend, Kent to play the 79th course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.


No 'Big' Golf allowed!

The course itself was in the park right next to the hotel we were staying in. Unfortunately the course was no longer actually open and in a bit of a derelict state.

We had brought our own putters and some golf balls on our trip so we were able to have a round. The course was actually OK (and good enough to score a hole-in-one on), so it was odd the course had been shut down.

In our minigolf match-up on the course - the Woodlands Park BYO Open - we drew:
- Richard - 43(+7)
- Emily - 43(+7)

Play-off:
- 5th Hole - EG 2 & RG 2
- 5th Hole - EG 2 & RG 2
- 14the Hole - EG 4 & RG 1

Richard won at the third extra-hole with an Ace.

Gravesend Classic matchplay contest:
- Emily beat Richard 3 & 2.

Related blog posts:
- Hole...in...one
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

A new sledge!

My hunt for a sledge* is now over after I found the 'Omega J.P.R. B90 3RF' today!


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

Despite the fact that it is now highly unlikely to snow again anytime soon I have made the wise investment today, for the fun I can have in the future!


A challenge has already been declared to see which will go faster - the new sledge, or the old snowboard? The smart money is on the sledge, it is red after all.

Video of the 2008 BMGA British Matchplay Championships

Sledges (Slegdes - sic) & Snowboards

With the snowy weather continuing, my hunt for a sledge continues. And by the looks of this sign (found in Halfords) the hunt will go on for even longer.



However, my trusty old snowboard is still good fun.

Snow halts play

The past few days of snowy weather made it far too treacherous to make the journey to the Adventure Island Monday Night Minigolf League at Star City, Birmingham.

Instead a walk around Luton took me past the Minigolf Course at Wardown Park which was completely snowed under!





My record in the AIMG Winter League remains as follows:
Played - 10
Won - 8
Drawn - 1
Lost - 1
Points - 25

Groundhog Day 2009

According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.

This year (the 123rd Trek to Gobbler's Knob) the 'Seer of Seers', 'Prognosticator of Prognosticators' Punxsutawney Phil predicts...SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER!

To see the 2009 video of the prediction see:
http://visitpa.com/things-to-do/see-more-pa/groundhog-day/index.aspx

For more information on Groundhog Day see: www.groundhog.org

While in Luton Punxsutawney Richard predicts...two more days of snow!

Macmillan Annual Bowling Challenge 2009

For the third year running the Ham & Eggers Bowling Team will be entering the Macmillan Annual Bowling Challenge at Luton's Namco Station in an attempt to win the prestigious Macmillan Shield.

The event is now in its fourth year and the Ham & Eggers are looking to improve on last years Bronze medal position to lift the trophy this year.

Previous Champions:
2008 - The Flecney Four
2007 - Plumbs DIY
2006 - Plumbs DIY

Previous Ham & Eggers Team Rankings:
2008 - 3rd
2007 - 6th
2006 - DNP

The 2008 Report can be seen here.

In the first of many pre-Macmillan Annual Bowling Challenge warm-up events, three of last years team took part in the inaugural Luton Bowling Classic on the 29th January, with Richard scoring 225, Mike 193 and Emily 182.

2009 BMGA British Matchplay Championships

The First Round draw of the 2009 BMGA British Matchplay Championships took place at the BMGA’s HQ in Kent this evening and I was drawn to play against Phil Exall of Tunbridge Wells.

In last years contest I was defeated by Phil's brother Andy Exall in a first round match played at Southend's Adventure Island Course on the 29th March 2008. I finished the inaugural BMGA British Matchplay Championships in 26th place of 29 players.

The 2008 champion was Tim ‘Ace Man’ Davies who defeated Andy ‘Number 2’ Exall 5&4 on the Hastings Seafront Crazy Golf course to lift the title. In the 2008 third/fourth place play-off match Trevor ‘Pumbah’ Exall defeated Kevin ‘Legendus Maximus’ Botto 1up to take the final podium place.

This year the tournament contains 32 players and I'll be looking to do a lot better than in 2008!

The full first round draw is as follows:
1. Cindy Kukielka vs Matthew Harding
2. Chris Jones vs Kevin Botto
3. James Trubridge vs Peter Emmerson
4. Elliott Ward vs Andy Exall
5. Anthony Pope vs Matt Wood
6. Seve Kukielka vs Jas Kukielka
7. Marc Chapman vs Rocky Bullin
8. Keith Kellard vs Terry Exall
9. Gareth Holmes vs Ruth Bullin
10. Chris Harding vs Alan Norman
11. Sean Homer vs Tim Davis
12. Trevor Robertson vs Martin Robertson
13. John Moore vs Den Exall
14. Brad Shepherd vs Marion Homer
15. Phil Exall vs Richard Gottfried
16. Ted McIver vs Leo Kukielka
All first round matches to be played before the 31st May 2009