Tuesday, April 02, 2019

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden

A revisit to the Crazy Golf course on the Clarence Way Estate in Camden, London.



Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden

On our recent trip down to London we visited Camden and on our wander to the market and lock we noticed we were near the Clarence Way Estate so had to swing by for a look at the Crazy Golf course there.

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden

We first visited the course on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in October 2009 and Emily worked in nearby Kentish Town until 2016. However, we only ever played the course once - in 2012 - and only saw one other group playing the course - in 2011.

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden

The course looked to be in good condition and has had a lick of paint since our last visit too.

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 1

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 2


Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 3

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 3

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 4

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 4

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 5 - there used to be a barrel obstacle on this hole

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 6

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 6

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 7

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 7

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 7

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 8

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 8

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 9

Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 9


Crazy Golf at the Clarence Way Estate in Camden
Hole 9


Related blog posts:
- Minigolf Course Visit - Clarence Way Crazy Golf in Camden, London
- Camden Clarence Way Crazy Golf - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Revisit
- Crazy Golf Update - People Play Minigolf on the Course in Camden!
Crazy Golf in London - Clarence Way, Camden (2015)
- Finally Playing the Camden Crazy Golf Course

Monday, April 01, 2019

National Miniature Golf Day 2019

National Miniature Golf Day is coming up on Saturday 11th May. Where will you be playing minigolf?

The Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Skegness, Lincolnshire
A shot from the National Miniature Golf Day tournament held in Skegness in 2015

#MinigolfMonday - nine years old this year

Today is the 441st #MinigolfMonday!


Happy #MinigolfMonday

My friend and minigolf rival Pat Sheridan of The Putting Penguin Minigolf Review website and I started our quest to get our favourite game trending on Monday 25th October 2010. Where has the time gone since then!!!

Do check out, and use, the hashtag - #MinigolfMonday - on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and wherever else a hashtag works.

Related blog posts:
- Key minigolf dates for the year ahead
- #MinigolfMonday

Happy April Fools' Day!

Minigolf Monday WILL continue to be on a Monday. Obviously.

Happy April Fools' Day and Minigolf Monday!

#MinigolfMonday

Happy Minigolf Monday!

Today is the last time Minigolf Monday will be celebrated on a Monday. From next week #MinigolfMonday will be held on a Tuesday.

Happy Minigolf Monday!

Wednesday, March 27, 2019

The Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes

A visit to the Arnold Palmer Mini Golf course in Cleethorpes.



Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cleethorpes

Last May we had a brilliant break in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire. The seaside resort has a number of minigolf courses, one of which is the classic Arnold Palmer Putting Course near the pier.


Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cleethorpes

We'd visited Cleethorpes once before, back in May 2011. Unfortunately the course was closed on that occasion. Luckily the 18-hole course was open this time and I enjoyed a few games on the excellent layout during our few days in town.

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cleethorpes

The Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes was the 482nd played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cleethorpes

Photos from my visit on the 19th May 2018.


Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cleethorpes

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cleethorpes

Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Cleethorpes

Monday, March 25, 2019

Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf course and Putting Green in Cleethorpes

Playing Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf and Putting in Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire.


Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes

On our holiday in Cleethorpes last May we revisited a number of miniature golf courses, two of which were Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf and Putting Green.

Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf course and Putting Green in Cleethorpes

Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf course and Putting Green in Cleethorpes

Luckily the courses were open during our stay so we were able to have a round.

Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes

Terry's Traditional Putting Green in Cleethorpes

Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf course was the 483rd played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. The Putting Green was the 484th played.

Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes

We'd originally visited the two courses in May 2011.

Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf course.

Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes

Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf course in Cleethorpes

Terry's Traditional Putting Green.

Terry's Traditional Putting Green in Cleethorpes

Terry's Traditional Putting Green in Cleethorpes

Terry's Traditional Putting Green in Cleethorpes

Terry's Traditional Putting Green in Cleethorpes

Terry's Traditional Putting Green in Cleethorpes

Terry's Traditional Putting Green in Cleethorpes

Related blog posts:
Cleethorpes
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf and Putting in Cleethorpes (2011)
- Terry's Traditional Crazy Golf and Putting in Cleethorpes (2018)

Gluten free in Leeds

A gluten free day out in Leeds.


Last Saturday we visited the Gluten Free Food Fair organised by Leeds Coeliac Group at Pudsey Civic Hall. It was the first gluten free food fair we've been to in a while and it was nice to buy some cakes and savouries from some new suppliers.

About to eat my first Jam Doughnut in over a decade!
About to eat my first Jam Doughnut in over a decade!

We bought some brilliant food and drink from Wildcraft Gluten Free Bakery, Lottie's BakehouseK&N's Gluten Free Kitchen, Gluten Freekz, Barkat and Green's Beers.

We couldn't be near Leeds and not have a meal at our favourite restaurant, The Oxford Place. Once again we had a superb meal, although after scoffing the jam doughnut from Wildcraft Bakery earlier in the day I only had room for two courses.

Gluten free meal at The Oxford Place in Leeds
I had the Pan Seared King Scallops with Samphire, Tomato and Shallot to start

Gluten free meal at The Oxford Place in Leeds
Emily had the Duncombe Park Shot Pheasant & Black Pudding Terrine, Homemade Piccalilli and Sweet Onion Marmalade for her starter

Gluten free meal at The Oxford Place in Leeds
We both had a Gourmet Beef Burger with Smoked Mango Chutney, Harrogate Blue Cheese & Skinny Frites for our main course

Gluten free meal at The Oxford Place in Leeds
A very happy Coeliac

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Watch me on The Chase

I've been reliably informed that my episode of The Chase is being repeated on Challenge next Tuesday, 2nd April. It's one day late if you ask me!

Richard Gottfried on The Chase
You can watch my appearance on The Chase at 8pm on Tuesday 2nd April. It's repeated again at 1am on the 3rd

I was a contestant on Series 5, Episode 39 of the long-running ITV quiz show. The episode was filmed in 2011 and aired in March 2012.

Related blog posts:
- Appearing on ITV's The Chase!
- The Chase

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Playing Dino Falls Adventure Golf at the Trafford Golf Centre

A revisit to the Dino Falls Adventure Golf course at the Trafford Golf Centre.



Dino Falls Adventure Golf course at the Trafford Golf Centre
Hole 1 of the 18-hole Dino Falls Adventure Golf course

Yesterday evening we visited the Trafford Golf Centre in Manchester for a round on one of our local minigolf courses. Our friend and new minigolf rival Celine joined us for the round - and almost won!

Dino Falls Adventure Golf course at the Trafford Golf Centre
Celine playing a shot on hole 2 of the course

In our match-up I took the win with a round of 42. Emily was second on 43, with Celine third on 48. Emily and Celine had both completed the front-9 with scores of 20, while I hit 22.

Dino Falls Adventure Golf course at the Trafford Golf Centre
Emily and a T-Rex

Dino Falls Adventure Golf course at the Trafford Golf Centre
Playing a shot at Dino Falls Adventure Golf

Check out the Dino Falls Adventure Golf course website for more information, opening times and prices.

Dino Falls Adventure Golf course at the Trafford Golf Centre

The team at the Trafford Golf Centre have plans to open a second 18-hole adventure golf course at the site. You can understand why when you see how busy and popular the course is, especially when the sun is out.

Dino Falls Adventure Golf course at the Trafford Golf Centre

Dino Falls Adventure Golf was the 476th course played and 792nd visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Dino Falls Adventure Golf course at the Trafford Golf Centre

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Entries open for the 2019 World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings

Entry to the World Crazy Golf Championships is now open.

The 2019 World Crazy Golf Championships will be hosted at Hastings Adventure Golf

Entries to the 2019 World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings are now open.

For the first time in its 17-year history the World Crazy Golf Championships is including a new junior competition category too.

Taking place at Hastings Adventure Golf in East Sussex from the 7th to 9th June the World Crazy Golf Championships boasts a £4,500 prize fund.

Each category competes for a separate prize fund. A £3,000 prize fund is allocated to the professional category, with the overall winner scooping £1,000 - the largest winner's prize in minigolf. A separate prize fund of £1,500 is allocated to the novice category. There are also opportunities for team entries in both the novice and professional categories. The junior category will have awards for first, second and third place.

The reigning and defending World Crazy Golf Champion - Marc 'The Force' Chapman
The reigning and defending World Crazy Golf Champion - Marc 'The Force' Chapman

The junior category is open to those aged 8 to 14 and will be played on Friday 7th June at 5.30pm. The novice competition category, that was introduced two years ago, will continue to be played over one day, Saturday 8th June, while the Crazy Golf Professional category is played over two days, Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th June.

Simon Tompkins of Hastings Adventure Golf said “We are thrilled to introduce the junior category to this year’s championships. The three separate competitive categories - professional, novice and junior, help make the championships even more inclusive."

He added “The novice category was established two years to give non-professionals an event of their own. Now the addition of the junior category makes the championships an open playing field for younger players too. So get the putters polished and start practicing!”

All competitors must beat the windmill and watermill as well as negotiate the bends, twists and ramps on the traditional seaside course at Hastings Adventure Golf – dubbed the UK’s ‘spiritual home of mini golf’.

The windmill hole at Hastings. One of the 18-holes competitors will have to tackle in the World Crazy Golf Championships
The windmill hole at Hastings. One of the 18-holes competitors will have to tackle in the World Crazy Golf Championships

Following last year’s fantastic efforts, there will again be prizes for 'best dressed' and 'personality of the competition'.

This is the 17th year that Hastings Adventure Golf has hosted the World Crazy Golf Championships - an event that is now firmly considered the pinnacle competition for Crazy Golfers in the UK and beyond.

Competitors can enter the 2019 World Crazy Golf Championships via the Hastings Adventure Golf website. All entrants are entitled to half price practice on the Crazy Golf course at the complex.

2018 saw the largest number of competitors in the field since 2005. Marc 'The Force' Chapman from Kent was crowned the World Crazy Golf Champion and scooped the £1,000 top prize. His score was 226, 26 under par, beating the 2017 top score of 235, 17 under par recorded by the Czech Republic’s Olivia Prokopova.

Commenting on his big win Marc said “It felt amazing to finally become the World Crazy Golf Champion! It was a great personal ambition of mine to win the event and I had been close to it a few times before - which made the win even more amazing!”

Adam Kelly took the runner-up prize of £750 and Michael Smith, former World Crazy Golf Champion, took home £500 for third place.

The novice title and £500 went to Russell Smith from Tunbridge Wells. The runner-up Chris Horn took home £300, while third place went to Italian player Mark Berezicki who won £200.

* Players are classified as a novice if they:
- have not entered the World Crazy Golf Championships before.
- are not a recognised international player.
- have not finished in the top ten of a British Minigolf Association tour event.