Putting Green / Mini Golf in Bedford - Crazy World of Minigolf course played #184

Playing the 18-hole Minigolf Putting Course in Bedford's Russell Park.
 
On Thursday 29th July 2010 I was in Bedford and played the 18-hole Putting Green in Russell Park.



It's a tricky course, but in great condition. It's £2.35 a round for adults and the course had a few other groups out on it.


Heading 'out' I scored 20(+2), but heading 'in' I scored a horrendous 28(+10)! That was even including a hole-in-one on the 15th hole.


The visit was the 184th Minigolf course played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.




Walking back along through the park I also spotted what could have been a Minigolf hole!



Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Tea Green Golf's Minigolf Course - Upgrade

Tea Green Golf Club in Luton have given their 9-hole minigolf course a bit of a spruce up and have added some new flags. The course looks very nice, and with a good clean is playing better. I even managed a hole-in-one on the tricky 'par 3' dog-leg 6th hole in a challenge match versus Simon 'Shotgun' Hall this evening.





A little over a year ago on our first visit of the course it wasn't in the best condition - see the blog post from the 1st July 2009 at Minigolf Course Visit No. 111 - Tea Green, Luton!

The course is now much improved and has a current course record of 13(-5) for 9-holes - held by Scott Holmes - and an 18-hole course record of 30(-6) held by me!

Gottfried's Rankings in the latest BMGA Order of Merit Minigolf Rankings List

In the latest British Minigolf Association (BMGA) Order of Merit Rankings for the 2009-2010 Season I have moved up one place to 7th of 88 ranked players, with 3,250 points - this is a new career best position for me.

Emily is now ranked at number 34, with 816 points. She is also the third highest ranked female in the Order of Merit.

The top three minigolfers in the BMGA Order of Merit Rankings at present are:
1 - Chris Harding - 4,625 points
2 - Marc Chapman - 4,085 points
3 - Nick Chitty - 4,080 points

The Bell Pub, Wendens Ambo, Saffron Walden, Essex - No minigolf course there

An internet search for minigolf in Essex had brought up details of The Bell Pub in Wendens Ambo, near Saffron Walden.

However, there was no course there.



There was however a Boules/Petanque Piste (which reminded us of the Boules Invitational Tournament at The Mumbles in Swansea (Abertawe) last August).


On the way to the Pub we did pass through New England! A very interesting place to spot, as it's not on the map!?

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - List and links for all Miniature Golf courses visited to date
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf in Essex

Saffron Walden Golf Club - Putting Green not played

While searching for The Bell Pub in Saffron Walden we passed Saffron Walden Golf Club - and the Putting Green there. Unfortunately we didn't get a chance to play it.


We did discover that The Bell Pub was actually in the village of Wendens Ambo, and not Saffron Walden itself.

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf in Essex

Felixstowe Minigolf July 2010 - Hollywood Holes Crazy Golf - Old New Minigolf Frames - Derelict Course - Adventure Golf

On Saturday 10th July 2010 we also headed to Felixstowe, Suffolk.

The Hollywood Holes Crazy Golf course is still there.




The old location for the Hollywood Holes actual course was being used for an Active Sports Event (a bit ironic).




The course that was going to be built is still in mothballs - piled up next to the Donkey Rides.


Previous visits - 1 and 2.

We played the 9-hole Adventure Golf course on the sea front.






In the Irregular Mini Golf Tour event, we drew on 27(+9).

We didn't play Mannings Magical Golf (Golf FX), as we were heading to a potential course in Saffron Walden.

Crazy Golf in Ipswich (Christchurch Park) - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Played #183

Crazy Golf in Ipswich (Christchurch Park) - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Played #183


On Saturday 24th July 2010 we made a trip to Ipswich, Suffolk and the new Crazy Golf course that has been set up in the town's Christchurch Park.



We had been tipped off about its existence by Emily's sister who lives in the town (Emily originally hails from Ipswich).

When we arrived at 10.50am the course was being laid out.

By 11.15am we were able to play, however only 8-holes were set up. With the 9th hole about 1/7th of the way to being complete!?



It's £1.50 a round and you do get a scorecard with a game.

In our Irregular Mini Golf Tour Ipswich Classic Competition Emily won with a great 24(+8), to my 32(+16).

Holes 1-8.











Hole 9!?








Check out the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour blog post for links to other course visits since September 2006.

Gluten Free in Suffolk - Ipswich & Felixstowe

While in Ipswich and Felixstowe we managed to find some excellent Gluten Free restaurants and shops.

In Ipswich we went to Church's Bistro & Bar for lunch. They have a dedicated Gluten Free menu and a huge range of options.

I chose the Ham Hock Terrine followed by the 100% Beef Burger. Both were magnificent.




If you're a Coeliac and in the Ipswich area you must visit. And even if you're not, the 'normal' food was great too.

In Felixstowe we spotted that The Good Food Shop sells Gluten and Wheat Free Cakes and food. I had a really nice Iced Banana Cake.

On the way we also went to Cox's of Letchworth - a brilliant Fish & Chip Shop that does excellent Gluten Free Batter. While in Letchworth Garden City We also drove round the UK's first roundabout (six times)!