Richard Gottfried's photo at Weymouth's Pirate Adventure Golf

After winning the Weymouth Open minigolf tournament in 2008 my photo was placed in the course shop.



Sadly, after my defeat this year it'll be new champion Kevin Moseley's turn for course fame.

All is not lost however as my photo will be put up again as I am the course record holder at Weymouth Pirate Adventure Golf!

The 'Lucky' 19th Hole at Weymouth Pirate Adventure Golf Course

Prior to playing in the 2009 Weymouth Open minigolf tournament I thought I would try my luck on the 'Lucky' 19th Hole at Weymouth Pirate Adventure Golf Course, at Lodmoor Country Park in Dorset.

The video below shows me playing the 19th hole at the host course for the tournament, which was the scene of my first big minigolf individual title win back in October 2008 (and the 76th course visit on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour last year).

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - 154 Courses Played and 197 Visited So Far

It all started on the 30th September 2006 when Emily and I decided to visit as many Crazy Golf & Minigolf courses, and seaside resorts, in the UK (and beyond) on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour!

To date, a total of 2,127 holes of mini and crazy golf have been played over the 154 course visits (not including all of the extra play at tournaments, practice rounds or multiple visits) with a whole lot of holes-in-one, tournament wins and great fun.

Now, just over three years later, I have played 154 Minigolf courses, while Emily has played 143 courses (including Crazy Golf/Minigolf variants such as Mini Golf, Miniature Golf, Adventure Golf, Eternit, Beton, Swedish Felt and Putting Greens).

All courses played 30th September 2006 - 13th October 2009
1 Portsmouth/Southsea (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf (Victory Trail)
2 Portsmouth/Southsea (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf (Warrior Trail)
3 Southsea (Golf Links) - 9 Hole Par 3/Pitch & Putt
4 Luton (Woodside Animal Farm) - Adventure Golf
5 Felixstowe (Mannings) - Golf FX
6 Felixstowe (Sea Front) - Crazy Golf
7 Felixstowe (Fantasia) - Adventure Golf
8 Watford (Top Golf) - Adventure Golf
9 Watford (Top Golf) - 9 Hole Putting Green
10 West Hagbourne, Oxon (Horse & Harrow Pub) - Crazy Golf
11 Shefford, Bedfordshire (The Green Man Pub) - Crazy Golf
12 Brighton (East of Palace Pier) - Crazy Golf
13 Brighton (Peter Pan's) - Adventure Golf
14 Southend-on-Sea (Adventure Island) - Adventure Golf (Inca course)
15 Southend-on-Sea (Adventure Island) - Adventure Golf (Aztec course)
16 Southend-on-Sea (Arnold Palmer Minigolf, East Course) - Minigolf
17 St Albans, Hertfordshire (Verulamium Park) - Crazy Golf
18 Luton (Wardown Park) - Crazy Golf
19 Luton (Wardown Park) - Mini Golf/Pitch & Putt
20 Lowestoft - Adventure Golf
21 Great Yarmouth (Pirates Cove) - Adventure Golf
22 Great Yarmouth (Arnold Palmer) - Minigolf 18-hole
23 Great Yarmouth (Arnold Palmer) - Minigolf 9-hole
24 Great Yarmouth (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf
25 Great Yarmouth (Jungle Golf at the Gardens) - Crazy Golf (Update: 10th May 2009 - no longer exists, a Segway Grand Prix track is in its place)
26 Great Yarmouth (Hollywood Adventure Golf, Windmill Theatre) - Indoor Adventure Golf
27 Warwick (St Nicholas Park) - Adventure Golf
28 Warwick (St Nicholas Park) - Derelict Crazy Golf
29 Milton Keynes (Willen Lake) - Adventure Golf
30 Luton (Stockwood Park) - Mini Golf/Pitch & Putt
31 Abingdon (Abbey Meadow) - Crazy Golf
32 Abingdon (Abbey Meadow) - Pitch & Putt/Mini Golf
33 Stonham, Suffolk (Stonham Barns) - Crazy Golf
34 Margate (Strokes) - Adventure Golf
35 Broadstairs (Lillyputt Minigolf) - Lillyputt Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
36 Margate (Palm Bay Café) Cliftonville - Crazy Golf on Grass
37 Margate (Little Oasis Crazy Golf) Cliftonville - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer) 1 of the 2 18-hole courses
38 Letchworth Garden City - Putting Course on Grass
39 Hastings (Seafront) - Crazy Golf
40 Hastings (Seafront) - Minigolf
41 Hastings (Seafront) - Adventure Golf
42 Broxbourne (Paradise Wildlife Park) - Adventure Golf
43 Hastings (Planet Hastings) - Minigolf
44 Blackpool (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf (New)
45 Blackpool (Starr Gate) - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
46 Blackpool (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf (Old 'Alpine Golf')
47 Blackpool (Stanley Park) - Crazy Golf
48 Lytham St Anne’s - Crazy Golf
49 Stratford-upon-Avon - Minigolf
50 Tampere, Finland - Beton
51 Tampere, Finland - Eternit
52 Tampere, Finland - Swedish Felt
53 Felixstowe (Sea Front) - Putting Green
54 Coalville - Adventure Golf
55 Scarborough - Adventure Golf
56 Filey - Crazy Golf
57 Birmingham (Star City) - Adventure Golf (Lost Hut Trail)
58 Birmingham (Star City) - Adventure Golf (Hidden Cove Challenge)
59 Northwick Park - ‘Mini Majors’ Adventure Golf
60 Eastbourne (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf
61 Southsea - Crazy Golf
62 Southsea - Putting Green
63 Shanklin (Isle of Wight) - Beton Crazy Golf
64 Shanklin (Isle of Wight) - Adventure Golf
65 Rylstone Gardens (Isle of Wight) - Crazy Golf
66 Sandown (Isle of Wight) - Indoor Adventure Golf
67 Sandown (Isle of Wight) - Beton Crazy Golf
68 Ryde (Isle of Wight) - Adventure Golf
69 Hayling Island - Adventure Golf
70 Wroxham Barns - Adventure Golf
71 Bury St Edmunds (Abbey Gardens) - Crazy Golf
72 Dorridge (Four Ashes Golf Centre) - Minigolf
73 Coventry (Allesley Park) - Crazy Golf
74 New Malden - Jurassic Golf
75 Guildford (Stoke Park) - Swedish Felt
76 Weymouth (Sea Life Centre) - Adventure Golf
77 Weymouth (Bowleaze Cove) - Crazy Golf
78 Herne Bay - Adventure Golf
79 Gravesend (Woodlands Park) - Derelict Crazy Golf
80 Bluewater - Pro Tour Putting
81 Motspur Park (Sir Joseph Hood Park) - Mini Golf
82 Northglenn, Denver, Colorado, USA (Boondocks Fun Center) Caverns Mill Course - Miniature Golf
83 Northglenn, Denver, Colorado, USA (Boondocks Fun Center) Hillbilly Hallow Course - Miniature Golf
84 Manchester (Championship MiniatureGolf @ PlayGolf Manchester) - Miniature Golf
85 Manchester (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Tiki Hut Trail) - Adventure Golf
86 Manchester (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Temple Ruins Adventure) - Adventure Golf
87 Canvey Island (Fantasy Island) - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
88 Hemsby - Lost World Adventure Golf
89 Glasgow (Victoria Park) - 9-hole Putting Green
90 Glasgow (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Maggie McCaw's Challenge) - Adventure Golf
91 Glasgow (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Tiki Hut Trail) - Adventure Golf
92 Dovercourt - Swedish Felt
93 Clacton-on-Sea - Eternit
94 Clacton-on-Sea (Augusta Masters) - Adventure Golf
95 Blake End, near Braintree - Swedish Felt
96 Hemel Hempstead (Gadebridge Park) - 9-hole Crazy Golf
97 Maidenhead (Riverside Gardens) - 18-hole Eternit
98 Windsor (Alexandra Gardens) - 12-hole Eternit
99 Windsor (Alexandra Gardens) - 9-hole Eternit Putting Course100 South Shields, Tyneside (Smugglers Cove) - 12-hole Adventure Golf
101 Tynemouth (Lost World Blue Course) - Adventure Golf
102 Tynemouth (Lost World Red Course) - Adventure Golf
103 Newcastle (Gosforth Park) - Minigolf
104 Ripon (Spa Gardens) - Crazy Golf
105 Ripon (Spa Gardens) - Putting Course106 Sandbanks - Crazy Golf
107 Bournemouth (Lower Gardens) - Minigolf
108 Boscombe (Chine Gardens) - Minigolf
109 Southbourne/Fisherman's Walk (Cafe Riva) - Crazy Golf
110 Fordingbridge (Tudor Rose Inn) - Miniature Golf
111 Tea Green, Wandon End, Luton - Crazy Golf
112 Bexhill-on-Sea (Metropole) - Crazy Golf
113 Tea Green, Wandon End, Luton - Putting Green
114 Manchester (Wythenshawe Park) - Crazy Golf
115 Walton Hall Gardens (Warrington) - Miniature Golf
116 Walton Hall Gardens (Warrington) - Putting Green
117 Staines (Lammas Park) - Adventure Golf
118 Oxford (Bury Knowle Park) - Swedish Felt
119 Oxford (Florence Park) - Swedish Felt
120 Oxford (Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park) - Swedish Felt
121 Barry Island/Ynys y Barri (Smuggler's Cove) - Adventure Golf
122 Porthcawl (Trecco Caravan Park) - Adventure Golf
123 Porthcawl (Trecco Caravan Park) - Putting Course
124 Swansea/Abertawe (Southend Park, The Mumbles) - Crazy Golf
125 Swansea/Abertawe (Singleton Boating Lake) - Crazy Golf
126 Gowerton (Gowerton Golf Range) - Minigolf
127 Gowerton (Gowerton Golf Range) - Putting Course
128 Pembrey/Pen-bre (Pembrey Country Park) - Crazy Golf
129 Pendine Bay - Crazy Golf
130 Saundersfoot - Crazy Golf
131 Heatherton Park, near Tenby - Adventure Golf
132 Eglwyswrw (Dyfed Shires & Leisure Farm) - Crazy Golf
133 Henllan Station (Teifi Valley Railway), near Newcastle Emlyn - Crazy Golf
134 Llanrhystud (Penrhos Golf & Country Club) - Crazy Golf
135 Aberystwyth - Crazy Golf
136 Aberystwyth - Putting
137 Aberdovey/Aberdyfi - Putting
138 Tywyn (Leisure Park) - Crazy Golf
139 Isle of Anglesey/Ynys Môn (Holyhead Park) - Crazy Golf
140 Isle of Anglesey/Ynys Môn (Bodorgan, Henblas Country Park) - Crazy Golf
141 Isle of Anglesey/Ynys Môn (Anglesey Sea Zoo) - Swedish Felt
142 Llandudno (Great Orme/Y Gogarth) - Alpine Adventure Golf
143 Llandudno (Great Orme/Y Gogarth) - Rocky Pines Adventure Golf
144 Towyn (Knightly's on Sandbank Road) - Crazy Golf
145 Rhyl (Drift Park) - Minigolf
146 Rhyl (Welsh Dragon) - Adventure Golf
147 Prestatyn - Arnold Palmer Putting Course
148 Llangollen (Riverside Park) - Minigolf
149 Oswestry (Cae Glas Park) - Eternit Minigolf
150 Southport (The Masters Putting Course) - Arnold Palmer Putting Course
151 Blackpool (Golden Isle) - Indoor Adventure Golf
152 Fleetwood (Marine Hall Gardens) - Crazy Golf
153 Poole (Poole Park) - Crazy Golf
154 Poole (Poole Park) - Putting Green

In addition to the 154 courses we have played, we have also made visits to 43 other Minigolf courses around the country, which for one reason or another have been unplayable. Details are below:

Courses visited but not played* 30th September 2006 - 13th October 2009
1 Southend-on-Sea (Arnold Palmer Minigolf, West Course) - Derelict Minigolf (Update: 25th April 2009 - now demolished)
2 Alton Towers - Extraordinary Golf
3 Lowestoft - Putting Green
4 Lytham St Anne’s - Crazy Golf #2
5 Weymouth - Putting Green
6 Guildford Lido - Minigolf
7 Margate (Little Oasis Crazy Golf) Cliftonville - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer) the 2nd 18-hole course
8 Hemsby (Stonehenge) - BIG Mini Golf
9 Gorleston-on-Sea (Pop's Meadow Putting Green) - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
10 Gorleston-on-Sea (Bure Park) - Pitch & Putt/Minigolf
11 Glasgow - Victoria Park - Derelict 18-hole Minigolf
12 Bedford - Putting Green
13 Dovercourt - Putting Green
14 Southwold - Putting Green
15 Felixstowe (Sea Front) - new build (not yet complete as at May 2009)
16 Tyneside - the site of a now demolished Arnold Palmer course
17 Newcastle (Exhibition Park) - Derelict 9-hole Crazy Golf
18 Bournemouth (Near Lower Gardens) - Derelict course
19 Manchester (Heaton Park) - Crazy Golf - no longer exists
20 Warrington (Orford Park) - Now flower beds!?
21 Barry Island/Ynys y Barri - Crazy Golf - Demolished for new Smuggler's Cove Adventure Golf
22 Pendine Sands - Crazy Golf - Demolished
23 Saundersfoot (Merlewood Hotel) - Putting Course - for hotel guests only
24 Gumfreston (The Dinosaur Park) - Adventure Golf - was just closing
25 Herons Brook Animal Farm - Crazy Golf (Demolished five years ago)
26 Aberystwyth Cliff Railway - Claimed to have a new Crazy Golf course - it did not exist
27 Aberystwyth Cliff Railway - The 'Games Room' did have a broken minigolf arcade machine that was out of order
28 Tywyn (Leisure Park) - Putting (ran out of time on visit)
29 Porthmadog - Crazy Golf (arrived at 5.30pm, course closed at 6pm but would not let us play)
30 Porthmadog - Swedish Felt (arrived at 5.30pm, course closed at 6pm but would not let us play)
31 Porthmadog - Putting (arrived at 5.30pm, course closed at 6pm but would not let us play)
32 Criccieth - Miniature Golf (Pitch & Putt)
33 Criccieth - Miniature Golf (Pitch & Putt)
34 Abergwyngregyn (Aber Falls Tavern) - course unplayable, Tavern under redevelopment
35 Llanfairfechan - Crazy Golf - only holes 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17 remain - no kiosk
36 Southport (Hesketh Park) - Crazy Golf - only open weekends (visited on a Friday)
37 Southport (Pleasure Land) - Moroccan Adventure Golf - derelict (but still in good condition for the shape it's in)
38 Cleveleys (Jubilee Park/Gardens) - Crazy Golf - Demolished
39 Blackpool (Gynn Gardens) - Crazy Golf - Closed for the season
40 Blackpool (Metropole) - Crazy Golf - Closed for the season
41 Leyland (Worden Park) - Mini Golf - Open weekends at 11am but was closed when we visited on a Sunday!?
42 Sandbanks - Putting Green
43 Weymouth - Riviera Hotel

* Due to closure, flooding, dereliction or other causes

Adding together the minigolf courses we have visited (both played and derelicts etc.) equals a grand total of 197 courses visited to date!

Only three more to go until the big 200!

Related blog post:
- List of courses visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

The Johnson's Scrap Iron Cup - new engraved plate

The Johnson's Scrap Iron Cup received a new engraved title plate before it's defence at Bowleaze Cove in Weymouth.

'Scrap Iron' Champion 'Squire' Richard Gottfried with the 'new' Scrap Iron Cup at Staines Adventure Golf Course.

Gottfried retains the Scrap Iron Cup

On Sunday 11th October Richard Gottfried retained the intra-team Johnson's Scrap Iron Cup in the invitational competition played between members of the Midlands Minigolf Club.

The competition was played using a two-round mixed strokeplay and matchplay format and Richard won the Cup after making the cut in the 9-hole qualifying round, and then defeating Paul Johnson one-up in the 9-hole matchplay final. Emily Gottfried and Peter Jones were tied for third place.

Richard won the Scrap Iron Cup the previous week in the first edition of the tournament held at Sandbanks Crazy Golf Course.

Johnson's Scrap Iron Cup
Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth 11/10/2009
Venue: The Flintstones Crazy Golf course

Round One - Strokeplay
Rank Player Score
1 Paul Johnson 28
2 Richard Gottfried 30
3 Emily Gottfried 32
3 Peter Jones 32
5 Owen Johnson 33

Round Two - Matchplay

Richard Gottfried vs. Paul Johnson

Richard Gottfried wins 1up

Final Rankings
Rank Player
1 Richard Gottfried
2 Paul Johnson
3 Emily Gottfried
3 Peter Jones
5 Owen Johnson


Rules of the Johnson's Scrap Iron Cup
Played between members of the Midlands Minigolf Club
Played in groups of two in round one
Groups are drawn at random using the 'balls in a hat' technique
Round one is a strokeplay match played over 9, 12 or 18 holes
The two players with the top scores after round one qualify for the second round/final
Round two is a matchplay match played over 9, 12 or 18 holes
The winner of the matchplay match becomes the Scrap Iron Cup* Champion**
* The Scrap Iron Cup (aka the 'NABBA ENGLAND 95 CLASS TWO WINNER' Trophy) remains the property of Owen and Paul Johnson
** The Reigning Scrap Iron Champion retains the cup until the next defence whereupon it is given up until the next Scrap Iron Cup tournament has been completed

Gluten Free Fish & Chips in Weymouth at the Old Harbour Fish Bar

To round off a successful weekend of minigolf on the course we headed for the Old Harbour Fish Bar (formerly Maguires) in Weymouth for some well earned Gluten Free Fish and Chips.

I must say that it was one of the best portions of Fish and Chips I've ever had (Gluten Free or 'normal')!

Closed Putting Course in Weymouth

While in Weymouth for the Weymouth Open minigolf tournament we went to play the Putting Course at Greenhill Gardens as part of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. But it was closed.

Minigolf Report – London Open & Weymouth Open tournaments

13th October 2009
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – London Open & Weymouth Open tournaments

Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried was a runner-up in two minigolf tournaments over the weekend as he competed in Staines, Surrey and Weymouth, Dorset.

First up was the two-round London Open competition held at the 18-hole Adventure Golf course at Lammas Park in Staines on Saturday 10th October. 22 players competed for the title, but it was Cambridge’s Adam Kelly who won with a score of 73 (+1). The battle for second place came down to a four-player play-off which Richard won at the third extra-hole, defeating the 2006 London Open winner David Corkett, Jon Angel and Alan Norman. In the tournament Richard had scored rounds of 40 (+4) and 38 (+2) for a 78 (+6) total.

Emily Gottfried also played in the London Open and finished in 8th place of 22, after rounds of 38 (+2) and 43 (+7) for a total of 81 (+9).

Richard putting on the second hole during the second/third place play-off in Staines.

Richard on the 'podium' with (from l-r) London Open Champion Adam Kelly, David Corkett and Aces Champion John Moore.

On Sunday 11th October Richard competed in another 22 player field in the Weymouth Open tournament held at the 18-hole Pirate Adventure Golf course at the Sealife Centre at Lodmoor Country Park. Last year Richard won the Weymouth Open, and after the two rounds of play this year was tied for first place after scoring a 46 (+10) and a 41 (+5). However, in the sudden-death play-off Richard lost to Bath’s Kevin Moseley at the fourth extra-hole as he took a three to Kevin’s two. As a consolation his round of 41 set a new British Minigolf Association official course record which earns him 50 ranking points in the BMGA Order of Merit.

Richard putting 'onboard' the Pirate Ship third hole in Weymouth.

A long tee-shot on the fifth hole at Weymouth.

Richard said “It was a great weekend of minigolf and very interesting playing two events on different courses so far apart. I was very happy to have won the play-off to win second place in Staines on Saturday, but was sad to lose the play-off and my title to Kevin in Weymouth on Sunday. Overall though I was incredibly pleased with my play this weekend and am looking forward to the last events of this season and hopefully I will be in with a shot at the World title in Hastings in a few weeks.”

Video footage of the Weymouth Open sudden-death play-off between Richard Gottfried and Kevin Moseley:

Play-off Coin Toss – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGvb2JfZ8hs

Play-off Hole 1 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJG5opQHXv8

Play-off Hole 2 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRMHhhq6Q3U

Play-off Hole 3 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bo5SrN5i08g

Play-off Hole 4 – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GA8xJSXzlc

Ends

Closed Putting Course in Sandbanks

Unfortunately the Putting Course in Sandbanks was closed on our visit during the BMGA British Club Championships weekend.

From the archives...Minigolf course visit number 4!

Way back on the 27th October 2006 the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour paid a visit to its fourth course - the Adventure Golf course at Woodside Animal Farm, near Luton.

Below are some photos from the archives.

Midlands Minigolf Club vs Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club at Sandbanks Hole 5 part 2

Footage from the 2009 BMGA British Club Championships match between the Midlands Minigolf Club B team and Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club A team. Played at Sandbanks Crazy Golf course on Sunday 4th October 2009.

 

The Midlands Minigolf Club can now be found on Facebook.

Sandbanks Crazy Golf website.

British Minigolf Association website.

Midlands Minigolf Club vs Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club at Sandbanks Hole 5 part 1

Footage from the 2009 BMGA British Club Championships match between the Midlands Minigolf Club B team and Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club A team. Played at Sandbanks Crazy Golf course on Sunday 4th October 2009.

 

The Midlands Minigolf Club can now be found on Facebook.

Sandbanks Crazy Golf website.

British Minigolf Association website.

Midlands Minigolf Club vs Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club at Sandbanks Hole 4 part 2

Footage from the 2009 BMGA British Club Championships match between the Midlands Minigolf Club B team and Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club A team. Played at Sandbanks Crazy Golf course on Sunday 4th October 2009.

  

The Midlands Minigolf Club can now be found on Facebook.

Sandbanks Crazy Golf website.

British Minigolf Association website.

Midlands Minigolf Club vs Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club at Sandbanks Hole 4 part 1

Footage from the 2009 BMGA British Club Championships match between the Midlands Minigolf Club B team and Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club A team. Played at Sandbanks Crazy Golf course on Sunday 4th October 2009.

 

The Midlands Minigolf Club can now be found on Facebook.

Sandbanks Crazy Golf website.

British Minigolf Association website.

Midlands Minigolf Club Photos

Midlands Minigolf Club Photos from the 2009 BMGA British Club Championships in Sandbanks.

MMGC Coach Emily Gottfried shows Midlands A Team member Jas Kukielka some tips for hole one at Sandbanks Crazy Golf.

2008 National Club Champions - the Midlands Minigolf Club

Midlands A

Midlands B

Coach Emily taking the BMGA British Club Championship trophy to the club house before the tourney teed off

Top Midlands Junior Owen 'Jackpot' Johnson plays a shot.

Midlands Captain 'Squire' Richard Gottfried plays a shot on the first hole.

The Midlands team watches Leo Kukielka on the fourth hole during the B Team's match with Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club's Z Team.

Leo Kukielka tees-off on the third hole.

Midlands A Team members 'Squire' Richard Gottfried and Jas Kukielka have a moment to reflect on 'what went wrong'.

The Midlands Minigolf Club can now be found on Facebook.

Sandbanks Crazy Golf website.

British Minigolf Association website.

Minigolf Report – BMGA British Club Championships Weekend

5th October 2009
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – BMGA British Club Championships Weekend

Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried competed in two minigolf tournaments at the 18-hole Crazy Golf course in Sandbanks, Dorset over the weekend.

First up on Saturday 3rd October was the intra-team Scrap Iron Cup competition played between members of the Midlands Minigolf Club and using a two-round mixed strokeplay and matchplay format. Richard won the Cup after making the cut with a score of 27(+3) to tie with Paul Johnson in the 12-hole qualifying round, and then defeating Paul one-up in the 12-hole matchplay final.

In the BMGA British Club Championships on Sunday 4th October Richard and his three team-mates were not so fortunate and ended the tournament in seventh place of eight teams in the matchplay tournament. Last year in Stratford-upon-Avon Richard was a member of the winning team that went undefeated, but this year the Midland A Team, with Richard as Captain, could only manage two wins, a draw and four losses from their seven matches.

Richard and his team defeated Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club A Team 2&1 in their first match, and went on to beat the Sandbanks Team 3&2. Their draw came against the Kent Minigolf Club, while they suffered defeats to the Midlands B Team, Planet Hastings B Team and the eventual winners from the London Minigolf Club.

Richard said “It’s disappointing not to be able to retain the British Club Championships title, but all credit to the London Team and also to our B Team that played really well and gave us a beating. From an individual point of view I am very pleased to have come out on top in the Club’s Scrap Iron Cup. It was a close run tournament with Paul Johnson pushing all the way until I won it at the last hole.”


Photo of the Midlands Minigolf Club.
Back row from l-r Cindy Kukielka, Leo Kukielka, Seve Kukielka, Jas Kukielka, Emily Gottfried (Coach).
Front row from l-r Kevin Moseley, Owen Johnson, Richard Gottfried (Captain), Paul Johnson.

Ends

Richard Gottfried wins the Johnson's Scrap Iron Cup in Sandbanks

On Saturday 3rd October Richard Gottfried won the intra-team Johnson's Scrap Iron Cup competition played between members of the Midlands Minigolf Club.

The tournament used a two-round mixed strokeplay and matchplay format and Richard won the Cup after making the cut with a score of 27(+3) to tie with Paul Johnson in the 12-hole qualifying round, and then defeating Paul one-up in the 12-hole matchplay final. Leo Kukielka was third with a score of 29(+5).

Full details and results are below:

Johnson's Scrap Iron Cup
Sandbanks, Poole 03/10/2009
Venue: Sandbanks Crazy Golf course

Round One - Strokeplay
Rank Player Score
1 Richard Gottfried 27
1 Paul Johnson 27
3 Leo Kukielka 29
4 Jas Kukielka 31
5 Owen Johnson 33
5 Cindy Kukielka 33
7 Seve Kukielka DNS

Round Two - Matchplay

Richard Gottfried vs. Paul Johnson

Richard Gottfried wins one-up

Final Rankings
Rank Player
1 Richard Gottfried
2 Paul Johnson
3 Leo Kukielka
4 Jas Kukielka
5 Owen Johnson
5 Cindy Kukielka
7 Seve Kukielka

Rules of the Johnson's Scrap Iron Cup
Played between members of the Midlands Minigolf Club
Played in groups of two in round one
Groups are drawn at random using the 'balls in a hat' technique
Round one is a strokeplay match played over 9, 12 or 18 holes
The two players with the top scores after round one qualify for the second round/final
Round two is a matchplay match played over 9, 12 or 18 holes
The winner of the matchplay match becomes the Scrap Iron Cup* Champion**

* The Scrap Iron Cup (aka the 'NABBA ENGLAND 95 CLASS TWO WINNER' Trophy) remains the property of Owen and Paul Johnson
** The Reigning Scrap Iron Champion retains the cup until the next defence whereupon it is given up until the next Scrap Iron Cup tournament has been completed







Post-Scrap Iron Cup minigolf tournament interview with Richard Gottfried.

Minigolf Course Visit No. 154 - Poole Park, Putting Green

Minigolf course visit number 154 on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour was to the 18-hole Putting Green at Poole Park.



Playing the 11th hole at Poole Park's Putting Green.

Minigolf Course Visit No. 153 - Poole Park Crazy Golf

Prior to the BMGA British Club Championships in Sandbanks we paid a visit to the 9-hole Crazy Golf course at Poole Park in Dorset as part of our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.






A great little 9-hole course with a fun 9th hole.


Here's a video showing one way to get a hole in one on the 9th hole.


Poole Park was also home to an 18-hole Putting Green which became minigolf course visit number 154 on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

"Gottfried off the pace in Margate competitions"

The Luton News reported on my rather lacklustre performances in the BMGA Players Championship and BMGA British Open a few weeks back with the story "Gottfried off the pace in Margate competitions".

You can view the story here - http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/lut/Gottfried-off-the-pace-in.5669289.jp