Luton gets a seaside Shooting Shack!

On my travels playing in minigolf and crazy golf tournaments, and at the many seaside resorts we visit throughout the year, I am always on the look-out for that good old staple of the British Amusement Arcade Industry - the Shooting Shack.

So imagine my surprise while tenpin bowling at Namco Station in Luton yesterday when I spotted the games area now included a 'Doc's Interactive Shootout'!

While not my favourite type of Shooting Gallery Game, it wasn't too bad, and it did pay out 49 tickets for my efforts.

The links below have details of some of the other Shooting Shacks I have found on my travels:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/09/pirate-flyer-laser-game-monorail-at.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/08/hillbilly-shooting-shack-in-rhyl.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/07/shooting-shacks-at-thorpe-park.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/05/shooting-shacks-walton-on-naze-clacton.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/04/docs-interactive-shootout.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/07/shooting-shacks-hayling-island.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/05/another-seaside-shooting-shack.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/04/bugseys-shooting-shack.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/04/old-zeke-kicked-bucket.html

Minigolf Challenge Matches at Watford TopGolf (& course visit updates)

On Monday 2nd February 2010 (Groundhog Day) we headed to TopGolf Watford for some Minigolf Challenge Matches versus our old Dodgeball adversary, Hatfield's 'Rowdy' Russell Fenner.

In the main competition - the Irregular Mini Golf Tour Dodgeball UK Reunion Minigolf Tournament - the three former Dodgeball UK Team Captains* faced off in an 18-hole battle in the cold and wet weather conditions.



*Dodgeball UK Teams & Captains:
Abingdon Dodgeball Alliance (ADE) - 'Stentorian' Richard Gottfried
Just Might Lose - Emily 'Nine Lives' Gottfried
Welwyn Dodgeball Warriors (WDW) - 'Rowdy' Russell Fenner

At the end of the round we were all tied on a score of 48(+12) which forced a play-off at the 18th hole to decide the winner.

In the play-off 'Rowdy' Russell was first eliminated after hitting a three, and in the second play-off round I scored a two, compared to Emily's three to win the bragging rights!

The players on the podium.

We also played two Putting Green Challenge matches while we were there, with Emily and Russell both on 9(-1) in match one, and with Emily the victor in match two, with another one-under round of 9.

The Adventure Golf course at Watford was the 8th we played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour way back in December 2006.

We've played there a number of times over the years and the course remains one of the most difficult we've played. It's still a good fun course, and the centre's facilities are good.

TopGolf Watford also has a Putting Course, which until fairly recently was a 9-hole course, but is now only 5-holes. The photos below show the difference.

9-hole Putting Green in 2006.

5-hole Putting Green in 2010.

A hole to nowhere!?
The 4th hole on the 'new' course is also incredibly short.


Details of other Irregular Mini Golf Tour competitions we have played there can be found at the links below:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/10/adventure-golf-at-watford-topgolf.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/12/results-of-third-annual-watford-classic.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/02/what.html

Photo: Christopher 'One BMGA Tour Event' Gottfried & 'Squire' Richard Gottfried line-up during a round at TopGolf Watford in April 2007.

Minigolf Course Played #159 (#205 overall) - Sandwell Valley Park, West Bromwich

Following the BMGA National Open tournament at Adventure Island Mini Golf at Star City in Birmingham last Sunday, we heard there was another Minigolf course we were yet to play, located in a park in West Bromwich.

With the lure of extending the weekend's minigolf fun and games by another 18-holes was too much so we headed off in search of the course in Sandwell Valley Park.

After a few wrong turns and a stop near a lake and sailing club, but no sign of a course, we had to call Midlands natives and fellow Crazy Golf Course Explorers - Paul and Owen Johnson for directions.

We found the course a few minutes later, and I was both surprised and pleased to find it was an Eternit Miniature Golf course! Quite a rarity on these shores.



I played an 18-hole round against myself, but still managed to lose (scoring a not great 49(+13))!?

Great fun, despite the leaves and rainwater on some holes. Would be better in the summer, and a few holes need some repairs.




The course was the 159th played, and 205th visited overall on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Videos from the visit are below.

"Solid opening for Gottfried" Luton News minigolf report

The Luton News and Dunstable Gazette newspapers covered my recent outing in the BMGA National Open minigolf tournament with the news report "Solid opening for Gottfried".

You can read the report at the Luton Today website at http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/lut/Solid-opening-for-Gottfried.6015053.jp

From the archives...Adventure Island Mini Golf, Star City, Birmingham

I first visited the two Adventure Golf courses at Adventure Island Mini Golf at Star City in Birmingham, back in June 2008, when I competed in the Adventure Island/Heart FM Open. I have gone on to spend many happy hours Putting at the two 18-hole courses during the Adventure Island Mini Golf league during the 2008 season (when I was runner-up), at the 2009 BMGA Star City Open, and most recently at the 2010 BMGA National Open.


I have also played a number of minigolf doubles matches at the venue, and a few independent competitions there too.


Adventure Island Mini Golf in Birmingham is England’s first Indoor Adventure Golf Complex and the two courses are known as the Lost Hut Trail, and the Hidden Cove Challenge.

Following my round of 28(-8) on the Lost Hut Trail course during the 2010 BMGA National Open, I am also now the joint course record holder (shared with former World Crazy Golf Champion, Chris Harding).

The courses were the 57th and 58th played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Minigolf Report – Gottfried eighth in the BMGA National Open

25th January 2010
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Gottfried eighth in the BMGA National Open

Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried teed-off in the first event of the 2010 British Minigolf Association (BMGA) Tour season on Sunday 24th January as he achieved an eighth place finish in the 35 player field at the BMGA National Open at Adventure Island Mini Golf, Star City, Birmingham.

The tournament was played over three 18-hole rounds and was won by Birmingham’s Chris Harding with a 54-hole score of 87(-21). Richard had a three-round total of 100(-8) which included scores of 35(-1), 37(+1) and 28(-8).

Richard’s round of 28(-8) set a new official BMGA course record for the Lost Hut Trail course at Star City and was his first sub-30 round of minigolf. The record-breaking round included a total of ten holes-in-one, and a run of six aces in a row.

At the end of the National Open both Richard and Brighton’s Peter Emmerson were tied on most holes-in-one with 14 each, so a sudden death play-off was required to decide the overall winner. Unfortunately Richard could only manage a two at the third extra hole, while Emmerson hit a hole-in-one to take the Aces Title.


Richard said “Heading into the National Open I wanted to put in a good performance in such an important event, and I did just that. Getting a sub-30 round on an 18-hole course is one of my greatest achievements in minigolf and setting the new course record is great. I’ve never hit so many aces in a round and to get six in a row is unbelievable. I’m also pleased to have achieved another top ten finish and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Richard is now in his fourth year as a BMGA Tour player and is the reigning Blackpool Pleasure Beach Open Champion, Manchester Mini Masters Champion and Manchester Miniature Open Champion. He also now holds three official BMGA course records, at Blackpool, Weymouth and Birmingham.

Ends

Third Scrap Iron Cup Minigolf Competition - results and report

Third Scrap Iron Cup Minigolf Competition

On Saturday 23rd January Richard Gottfried was unable to make it three Scrap Iron wins in a row as he lost the intra-team Scrap Iron Cup competition played between members of the Midlands Minigolf Club at Adventure Island Mini Golf course at Star City, Birmingham.

The eight player tournament used a two-round mixed strokeplay and matchplay format.

Richard won through to the final after a first qualifying round score of 21(-1) over the front 11 holes on the Lost Hut Trail course.

Birmingham youngster Owen ‘Jackpot’ Johnson was the other player to make the cut, scoring 22(par) and two shots ahead of Welsh ladies number one Cindy Kukielka who scored 24(+2) to finish in third place overall.

In the 7-hole Matchplay Match final round Owen won one-up, having led from the first hole until Richard was able to make the match all square at the 6th, only for Owen to score a two, to Richard’s three, on the final hole to seal his first big minigolf victory and return the prestigious Scrap Iron Cup to the Black Country.

Full details and results are below:

Scrap Iron Cup
Adventure Island Mini Golf, Star City, Birmingham 23/01/2010
Venue: Lost Hut Trail course

Round One - Strokeplay
Rank Player Score
1 Richard Gottfried 21
2 Owen Johnson 22
3 Cindy Kukielka 24
4 Leo Kukielka 25
5 Seve Kukielka 26
5 Paul Johnson 26
7 Jas Kukielka 27
7 John Moore 27


Round Two - Matchplay

Richard Gottfried vs. Owen Johnson

Owen Johnson wins one-up

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

Rules of the Scrap Iron Cup
Played between members of the Midlands Minigolf Club
Played in either groups of two, or one group, in round one
Groups are drawn at random using the 'balls in a hat' technique
Round one is a strokeplay match played over 9, 11, 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 7, 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

Links to previous Scrap Iron Cup Competitions:
Scrap Iron Cup 1
Scrap Iron Cup 2

VIDEO: Your guide to crazy golf - Luton Today

The minigolf video that I filmed for the Luton News at Tea Green has now gone live at the Luton News website at http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/lut-news/VIDEO-Your-guide-to-crazy.5995081.jp

The film is called "Your guide to crazy golf" and features top tips for mini golfers in the making!

The video is also now available at the Bedford Today website too - http://www.bedfordtoday.co.uk/541/VIDEO-Your-guide-to-crazy.5995081.jp

And can be found at http://www.dunstabletoday.co.uk/541/VIDEO-Your-guide-to-crazy.5995081.jp and http://www.biggleswadetoday.co.uk/541/VIDEO-Your-guide-to-crazy.5995081.jp

It is also online at the Milton Keynes Citizen website at - http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/todays-choice/VIDEO-Become-a-minigolf-expert.5996933.jp

Dates for your Diary - National Miniature Golf Day

Doing some research I came across the fact that in the USA there are two days set aside as National Miniature Days!

According to Wikipedia National Miniature Golf Day is held every second Saturday of May. The event had its inaugural celebration on May 12, 2007 and this year will fall on the 8th May.

Also, according to the Holiday Insights website Miniature Golf Day is "Always September 21st"!

In 2010 the 21st of September is a Tuesday.

Looking forward to celebrating all things Miniature Golf on both days!

From the archives...Adventure Golf at Willen Lake, Milton Keynes, July 2007

The "Become a mini-golf expert" video that was posted on the Milton Keynes Citizen newspaper website reminded me of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour visit we made to one of the courses in Milton Keynes in the early days of the Tour.

We visited the 9-hole Adventure Golf course at Willen Lake on the 28th July 2007 and competed in the Irregular Mini Golf Tour Willen Lake Impromptu Showdown (which also formed one of the five rounds in the Irregular Mini Golf Tour Sunny Day Trophy played over three courses in Luton and MK).

In the MK-leg the results were as follows:
1st - 'Squire' Richard Gottfried - 21(+3)
2nd - Emily 'Coach' Gottfried - 22(+4)
3rd - Christopher 'One BMGA Tour Appearance' Gottfried - 26(+8)



Not a bad course overall.

Strange Games - Mini Golf, Crazy Golf & 2010 BMGA Tour

Montegue Blister's Strange Games website has a new article featuring Mini Golf, Crazy Golf & the 2010 BMGA Tour at http://strange-games.blogspot.com/

VIDEO: Become a mini-golf expert - Crazy Golf 101 with Richard Gottfried

Last Sunday I filmed a Minigolf instructional video at Tea Green Golf's Crazy Golf course for the Luton News website http://www.lutontoday.co.uk/ and its sister newspapers.

The video on how to "Become a mini-golf expert" and entitled "Crazy Golf 101" went live online today and can be viewed at the Milton Keynes Citizen newspaper website at http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/todays-choice/VIDEO-Become-a-minigolf-expert.5996933.jp

Great fun to make the video and many thanks to Natalee Hazelwood, Mark Wood and all at the Luton News for their support.

Thank you also to Lester Coles at Tea Green Golf for the continued support from himself and the team at Tea Green.

Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s Pre-Season Results

17th January 2010
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s Pre-Season Results

Ahead of the new British Minigolf Association (BMGA) Tour season, which begins with the BMGA National Open competition in Birmingham, Luton Minigolfers Richard and Emily Gottfried have been practising with a series of Minigolf Challenge Matches at various courses, including the Crazy Golf course at Tea Green Golf at Wandon End, Luton.

Results:1. Richard Gottfried beat Emily Gottfried 42-43 at Jurassic Encounter Adventure Golf, New Malden
2. Richard Gottfried was third of four players in two matches at Adventure Island Mini Golf, Birmingham
3. Richard Gottfried lost to Chris Harding 32-37 at Adventure Island Mini Golf, Birmingham
4. Emily Gottfried beat Richard Gottfried 24-26 at Kingsway Golf Centre, Melbourn, Cambs
5. Richard Gottfried beat Emily Gottfried 39-47 at Indoor Golf FX, Felixstowe, Suffolk
6. Richard Gottfried beat Emily Gottfried 21-23 at West Park, Chelmsford, Essex
7. Richard won a four player Invitational tournament at the Adventure Golf at Woodside Animal Farm, Slip End
8. Richard & Emily Gottfried defeated Simon Hall and a mystery partner 5&3 in a Doubles Matchplay Match at Woodside
9. Emily Gottfried beat Richard Gottfried 59-66 over two rounds at the Mini Majors course at Northwick Park, Harrow
• Challenge Match versus Hatfield’s Russell Fenner at Watford TopGolf postponed due to snow
10. Richard Gottfried beat Lester Coles 33-35 at Tea Green Golf at Wandon End, Luton
11. Richard Gottfried beat Scott Holmes 37-38 at Tea Green Golf at Wandon End, Luton

Photo: Richard Gottfried Putting on the 3rd hole at Woodside Adventure Golf during his & Emily's Doubles Matchplay win on New Year’s Day.



Richard said “There is only a short break in the BMGA season as the first two events of 2010 are played at Indoor Adventure Golf courses and aren’t affected by the weather, so we’ve had to pack in a lot of Challenge Matches recently. I’m pleased with both me and Emily’s performances and am glad to have picked up some good wins and kept active over the break.”

Ends

Last Pre-Season Minigolf Challenge Matches - at Tea Green Golf, Luton

Before the start of the 2010 BMGA Tour I played my final two pre-season warm-up Challenge Matches today at the Minigolf course at Tea Green Golf.

I faced-off against my old Tea Green rivals Lester Coles and Scott Holmes in two 18-hole/two-round matches.

Match one vs. Lester Coles:
Richard won with - 17 + 16 = 33(-3)
Lester - 18 +17 = 35(-1)

Match two vs. Scott Holmes:
Richard won with - 19 + 18 = 37 (+1)
Scott - 22 + 16 = 38 (+2)

Some great fun and competitive minigolf practice ahead of the new BMGA Tour season.

Many thanks to Lester and Scott for providing the opposition.

30 seconds in Ireland!

Driving through rural Bedfordshire this afternoon we found ourselves in Ireland!?

The Green Man Country Inn - Gluten Free (but no Crazy Golf anymore)

After finding out earlier this week that The Green Man Pub in Stanford, Bedfordshire now serves Gluten Free menu options for Coeliacs I couldn't wait until the planned Beds & Herts Coeliac Group meal in February to try the food out, so we headed there today.

I was also keen to see what the area where the old Crazy Golf course used to be would look like now.



Though the Crazy Golf has gone I would highly recommend the food in the restaurant, as not only can they cater for Coeliacs but the food tastes great and is such good value!

I opted for the Green Man Special Roast Dinner - this came with two huge Rib Eye Steaks! Can't wait to go back for more!

Check out the menu and pub at http://www.greenmanstanford.co.uk/

From the archives - Crazy Golf at The Green Man Pub, Stanford, Bedfordshire

I found out today (15th January 2010) that the Crazy Golf course at The Green Man Pub, Stanford, Bedfordshire has been removed! I will be visiting the pub in February (for a Gluten Free meal!) so will be able to see what remains, or what has taken its place.

The course was the 11th minigolf course visit on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and took place even before we joined the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) and so the rules we were using were not 'Official' - note the non-movement of the ball from the borders to allow backswing for example (much like our first ever course visits on the Tour at the Adventure Golf in Southsea).

Videos of Minigolfers 'Squire' Richard Gottfried* and Emily 'Coach' Gottfried playing the 9-hole Crazy Golf course on the 29th December 2006 on one of the first course visits on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.







Photos that I took of the course as it was back at the end of 2006 can be found at the excellent MiniatureGolfer.com website Green Man Pub course entry.

In the 9-hole round played at the course (which counted towards half the score in the 2006 Irregular Mini Golf Tour Christmas Challenge tournament) I scored a 41 to beat Emily by one-shot. The other course played as part of the competition was another public house course at the Horse & Harrow in West Hagbourne, Oxon.

For the full list and links to other courses visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour please visit - http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/12/crazy-world-of-minigolf-tour-courses.html

* Prior to my BMGA Tour debut (and after some terrible shots on the course at The Green Man pub) my minigolf nickname was almost Richard 'Hole in Two, or Eight' Gottfried!

Despite the course closing the The Green Man Pub itself continues to operate, and now offers Gluten Free menu options for Coeliacs - excellent news! I look forward to returning, but am sad that the Crazy Golf has gone!

Snow Crazy Golf at Tea Green Golf, Luton

Attempting to play Minigolf on a snowed under Crazy Golf course.


We headed up to Tea Green Golf near Luton this afternoon to hit the driving range and attempt to play the 9-hole Minigolf course (despite the heavy snow and ice covering the course).

Video: Attempting to play Crazy Golf in the snow at Tea Green Golf, Luton.


After getting a 5 on hole one and a 3 on hole four (bypassing holes 2 & 3) the round was abandoned due to the adverse weather conditions - it was impossible to play and I was some way off beating the course record of 13(-5), needing 5 shots in seven holes. It was great fun putting through the snow and ice, and attempting to find the actual holes!?




The Putting Course


The BIG Golf Putting Area

The Driving Range

Looking forward to another round or two soon, hopefully in better conditions!

Links:
- Tea Green Golf website
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

More Snow - Sledging & Crazy Golf

After the snow a few short weeks ago in December another great flurry has meant that the time is right for more sledging action - and hunting out snow covered Crazy Golf courses in Luton.




Back in March 2008 the course in Wardown Park had a dusting of snow, but nothing like the covering it got earlier this week.


Here's what hole one looks like in better weather.

The slopes in Luton.

Luton's second best Sledging Team.

'Best of 5 Pro Spirit Challenge Tour'

Following the two BIG Golf Challenge Matches between me and fellow Minigolfer Jon 'The Stance' Angel (at Tea Green Golf near Luton, and at Stanmore & Edgware Golf Club) the venues for the final three matches in the 'Best of 5 Pro Spirit Challenge Tour' have been agreed and will be played as follows:

1 Stockwood Park, Luton
2 Northwick Park, Harrow
3 Finale: West Park, Chelmsford