Colorado Avalanche NHL Team

My new favourite Ice Hockey team are the Colorado Avalanche who are going through a bit of a rough patch at the moment and recently lost 7-2 to the Anaheim Ducks.




Check out the Avs official website at http://avalanche.nhl.com

Video highlights of the game - http://avalanche.nhl.tv/team/console.jsp?hlg=20082009,2,1101&fr=false

Match report - http://avalanche.nhl.com/team/app?gameNumber=1101&gameType=2&page=Recap&season=20082009&service=page

During one of the match breaks the Powerball Lotto mascots squared off with each other on the ice in a last mascot standing fight!

Squirrel in Denver - Adult Learners' Week 2009 Photo Competition Entry

Entered into the 'Animal Magic' Category of the Adult Learners' Week 2009 Photography Competition.

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

Playing two games of Tenpin Blowing at the Lucky Strike Lanes in Denver I managed to hit very decent scores of 143 and 174.

In the first game I hit a Turkey (three strikes in a row) and in the second game I had two missed Turkey chances.

Bowling at altitude was great fun!

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.