Ryder Legends Mini Golf at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield

Playing the Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield.

On Friday 8th September we visited The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield to play the Ryder Legends Mini Golf course as part of the inaugural American Golf National Adventure Golf Championship.

Playing hole 3 (inspired by the 17th at Kiawah Island)

Each of the 12-holes on the Ryder Legends Mini Golf course is based on a famous hole from 'big' golf. It's a tricky layout with some very long holes.

Along with Peter Jones I'd qualified for the grand final of the American Golf National Adventure Golf Championship after winning the Welsh Regional Qualifier in April.

The Ryder Legends Mini Golf course was the 456th course played and 768th visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. You can see photos of the holes below and videos of the 12-holes on our YouTube Channel (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12).

The Rules

Photos of the Ryder Legends Mini Golf course.

Hole 1 - Inspired by the 17th at Valderrama 

You need to play around the tree 

A view back to the tee 

Hole 2 - Inspired by the 18th at Wentworth 

A tough hole to score a two on

Not easy at all 

Hole 3 - Inspired by the 17th at Kiawah Island 

The longest hole on the course 

Hole 4 - Inspired by the 13th at Valhalla 

You need to play a nicely paced tee-shot on this hole 

Hole 5 - Inspired by the 9th at Royal Lytham & St Annes 

The pipes aren't as easy to putt into as they look! 

Hole 6 - Inspired by the 16th at Royal Birkdale 

A long and uphill shot 

It is aceable though 

Hole 7 - Spiral Fun Hole

A good chance for a hole in one - or a tricky second putt 

Hole 8 - U-Bend Fun Hole

An ace opportunity

Hole 9 - Inspired by the 5th at Pinehurst 

A good two

Hole 10 - Up and Over Fun Hole 

A good chance for a hole in one 

Hole 11 - Inspired by the 10th at The Belfry

The potential round-wrecker 

Many teams fell foul of the ditch on this hole

A tough green to reach

Hole 12 - Inspired by the 15th at PGA National

The last hole to play is a fairly long one

For more information visit The Belfry Hotel and Resort website and Ryder Legends Mini Golf web page.

The American Golf Championship Tour invited players from all parts of the golfing spectrum to compete in its range of events. This year more than 7,500 players competed in a total of 17 tournament categories at 168 venues.

A pre-match interview with Sky Sports presenter Gemma Care

It was brilliant to qualify for and compete in the first American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship Final.

Playing hole 3 in the American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship Final

The final was played over four rounds - two qualifying rounds of strokeplay, followed by a matchplay semi-final and a matchplay final. Peter and I played well as a team and qualified for the semi-final in second place after rounds of 35 and 34 on the 12-hole Ryder Legends Mini Golf course. We were victorious in our semi-final against the Watford qualifiers Simon and Jake Whitby, but unfortunately lost 3&2 in the final against Bristol qualifiers Simon Lee and Steve Gerrish.

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- American Golf
- The American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship Final
- American Golf championships on Sky Sports Golf
- Set your tapes! Adventure Golf to be shown on Sky Sports Golf
- Winning the American Golf Adventure Golf Pairs Regional Qualifier in Wrexham
- Richard Gottfried - Player Profile and Tournament Record

Links:
- The Belfry Hotel and Resort
- Ryder Legends Mini Golf
- American Golf

Videos:
- Playing the Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry - hole 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Cycle Speedway in Stockport

Finding out about the Cycle Speedway track in Stockport.

Our friend and minigolf rival John Moore is a big fan of Cycle Speedway. Back in 2011 he took us to see some races in Edinburgh at the British Veterans over 50s and over 60s Individual Championships in Redbraes Park (home of the Edinburgh Falcons). What a sport it is!

Cycle Speedway action in Edinburgh

We were having a cycle around Stockport on Sunday and found ourselves at St Thomas' Recreation Ground - a bit of the town we hadn't explored before. Riding through the park we spotted a Cycle Speedway track! It's home to Stockport 2006 Cycle Speedway Club.

Visit the Stockport 2006 Cycle Speedway Club website for more information about the sport and upcoming fixtures (the season runs from March to October).

Looking at the results from this year Stockport and Edinburgh are local rivals!

At the start of the year The Friends of Alexandra Park in Edgeley set a challenge to its members to get and about to visit as many Green Spaces in and around Stockport, based on a list from Stockport Nature Watch. The Green Spaces list showed 33 places to visit - of which we've so far made it to eleven. On our travels around the borough we've also been to another eight parks and green spaces! You can see the list on The Friends of Alexandra Park's Facebook Page.

St Thomas' Recreation Ground has two styles of sign - one looks really old. It's a pretty big park too

Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean

Playing the Crazy Golf course at Krazy Golf Lydney.

On our Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire road-trip we visited Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean.

Krazy Golf Lydney is in a nice spot in the Forest of Dean and can be found just off the A48 next to Taurus Crafts

We received a very nice welcome and it was great to chat to Roger and Georgina about Krazy Golf Lydney and it's history.

There's plenty to do at Krazy Golf Lydney

The course is an interesting 15-hole layout, with a unique setting. We had a feeling the site was previously something else and this was confirmed by Roger who told us the area was once a miniature railway and model village!

This wavy wooden ramp was a tricky hole to play

Each of the 15-holes on the themed Krazy Golf Lydney course is based on tourism in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley. You can see the full list of attractions on the Krazy Golf Lydney website.

Hole 1 has a Paintball Combat theme!

Interestingly one of the holes at Lydney is based on the Wye Valle Mini Golf course at Symonds Yat West! That Roman-themed course was the 193rd we played back in August 2010.

Another look at the wavy wooden hole

Krazy Golf Lydney became the 468th played and 787th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

We had a hoot playing at Krazy Golf Lydney

A railway hole!

This hole was interesting as the rules state that you must play your ball through at least four of the 'gates' before you could hole out

I got past the four gates in one go. The second putt was a longish one though

Through a maze

Emily's shots were on target

There wasn't much room to manouevre for your second shots on this hole

In our match-up on the 15-hole course we tied on 38. However, as Emily scored a hole-in-one she picked up the win.

Emily was the Lydney Krazy Golf Champion - what a nice touch to get a certificate. It's proudly displayed on our trophy shelf

As well as the Crazy Golf course you can play Foot Pool, Air Hockey, Pool, Table Tennis and Table Football, and a selection of garden games.

This was the second version of Foot Pool we'd seen on our recent travels. The first was at Pontins Prestatyn Sands

Krazy Golf Lydney also has a Crazy Golf Pool table game! We hadn't seen or played one on our travels before!

Crazy Golf Pool - another new game played on our adventures

Check out Krazy Golf Lydney's website, Facebook and Twitter for more information, opening times and prices.

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Gloucestershire

Link:
- Krazy Golf Lydney website

Videos:
- Video 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Set your tapes! Adventure Golf to be shown on Sky Sports Golf

A quick reminder that the American Golf National Adventure Golf Championships will be shown on Sky Sports Golf tomorrow (Tuesday 7th November).

The Adventure Golf tournament will be shown along with the Family Golf and Par-3 Championships events which were also held at The Belfry in September.

Me and Peter Jones being interviewed prior to the final at The Belfry

You can watch the show on Sky Sports Golf at 7pm, with a repeat at 11pm.

The American Golf Championship Tour invited players from all parts of the golfing spectrum to compete in its range of events. This year more than 7,500 players competed in a total of 17 tournament categories at 168 venues.

Along with Peter Jones I competed in the grand final of the American Golf Adventure Golf Championships after winning the Welsh Regional Qualifier back in April.

Winners of the American Golf Adventure Golf Welsh Regional Qualifier

I've had a good season in 2017 - topped and tailed by wins in Wales!

Inflatable advertising at Toyota in Stockport

One of my favourite things to see while out and about is inflatable advertising - whether it's a wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man promoting an antiques shop, to a more static inflatable directing you to an amusement arcade - they're always fun to see. So, you can imagine my reaction when I spotted this BIG inflatable piece of signage advertising a MASSIVE SALE at the Toyota car dealership on St Mary's Way in Stockport!

We were heading home from a bit of a bike ride round the borough when I saw the inflatable thing in the distance

What a sight!

It's the third piece of inflatable advertising I've seen since moving to Stockport last year. The first was a wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man Father Christmas advertising Terry's Fabrics in Cheadle Heath. The second was a 'static' inflatable promoting beds at United Carpets and Beds in Hazel Grove.

Related blog posts:
- Wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube men 
- Inflatable advertising
- Advertising
- Marketing
- Stockport

Minigolf tournament results for 2017

Minigolf competition results for the 2017 season.

This year I've competed in nine minigolf tournaments on a wide-range of courses.

Playing the Championship Adventure Golf course in New Brighton on National Miniature Golf Day

My season started and finished with wins in Wales. In April I teamed-up with my friend and minigolf rival Peter Jones to compete in the American Golf Adventure Golf Pairs Championship.

Me and Peter celebrating our big minigolf win at Clays Golf Centre in Wrexham

We won the Welsh Regional Qualifier in Wrexham to gain access to the Grand Final at The Belfry in September where we were runners-up.

Peter Jones making a crucial putt - as I look on - during our semi-final match in the American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Grand Final at The Belfry. The tournament will be televised on Sky Sports Golf on Tuesday 7th November

The On the Buses Fan-club tournament - The Butler Cup - was also held in September and I won that event held at the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Prestatyn.

Ad Burton and I were the Amateur and Pro Crazy Golf champions in Prestatyn

I've also hit the links for some Par-3 Miniature Golf competitions at the MiniLinks in St Anne's on the Sea. The 18-hole course hosts a Mini Major tournament each time there's a Major in big Golf.

Putting at the MiniLinks - I've done a fair bit of pitching there this season too!

The course is also holding a Winter Trophy from November through to Febuary, so my season may not be 100% finished just yet.

Another notable result was my runner-up placing in the first Great Northern Minigolf Open held on two courses at Haigh Woodland Park in Wigan.

The top-three players at the Great Northern Minigolf Open - me, Scott Lancley and Russ Dent

Emily and I also played in the Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open competition at the brand's Manchester Trafford Centre and Cheshire Oaks courses. Unfortunately neither of us shot a low enough score to win.

Staring into the abyss at Paradise Island Adventure Golf in Cheshire Oaks

My 2017 tournament results:

• American Golf's Adventure Golf Pairs Championship Regional Qualifier (Wales) at Clays Golf Centre - Winner (w/ P. Jones) 
• Great Northern Minigolf Open - Runner-up
• MiniLinks Mini US Open (Par-3 Miniature Golf tournament debut) - T13th
• MiniLinks Mini Open - 15th
• Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open (Manchester) - Did not win
• Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open (Cheshire Oaks) - Did not win
• MiniLinks PGA Championship - T24
• American Golf's Adventure Golf Pairs Championship National Final - Runner-up (w/ P. Jones)
• The Butler Cup Holiday on the Buses Crazy Golf tournament - Winner

As well as competing in tournaments, Emily and I have continued our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour (up to 791 courses) and have contested a number of challenge matches along the way. Check out the great media coverage our minigolf adventures have received this year.

At the Wellholme Park Crazy Golf course in Brighouse, Yorkshire. The course was the 450th we've played and 762nd visited overall on our travels

Each year there are hundreds of minigolf tournaments held around the world - from those run by world and national governing bodies, to course tournaments to club, local and independent events.

Playing the Pirates Skull hole at the Rhos Fynach Crazy Golf course in Rhos on Sea on Miniature Golf Day

In the coming months we'll be publishing details of events for 2018. If you know of any upcoming competitions, or are looking to organise and promote a minigolf event do get in touch.

Related blog posts:
- Competition
- Tournament
- Player Profile

Give the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour a Like on Facebook, watch our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter @putting_gott and @Ems_Lems. Please do sign-up to receive our miniature golf newsletter too.

Trailer Trash Jim's Crazy Golf inside Level at Preston Guild Hall

New indoor Crazy Golf course opening at Preston Guild Hall.

Part of the redevelopment of Preston Guild Hall includes the opening of a new Crazy Golf course. Trailer Trash Jim's Crazy Golf will be located on Level 1 of Level - Preston's new leisure and entertainment venue.

It sounds like a brilliant place as not only will there be an indoor Crazy Golf course on Level 1, but you can also play Laser Tag and Arcade Games. Level 2 has Ten Pin Bowling and Darts, while Level 3 of the centre is home to a Daredevil Assault Course.

Level at Preston Guild Hall opens on Friday 8th December.

Visit the Preston Guild Hall website and Level Preston on Facebook for more information.

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Details of our visits to hundreds of miniature golf courses.

Since 2006 Emily and I have visited more than 790 miniature golf courses around the UK and overseas on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

At Southend Pier Crazy Golf course - 1.3 miles out to sea!

As well as playing minigolf in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Jersey, we’ve travelled to minigolf courses in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and the USA.

Check out the complete list of minigolf courses we've visited on our compilation blog post.

Please do get in touch to find out more about our travels and opportunities for promotion and collaboration. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Google+. Please do also sign-up to receive our minigolf newsletter.

The smallest miniature railway?

This train ride at Pensarn Pleasure Beach in Abergele could be a contender for the title of smallest miniature railway!

The train is half the length of the track!

The Butler Cup Holiday on the Buses Crazy Golf tournament

Part of the Holiday on the Buses Weekender in Prestatyn is a Crazy Golf tournament organised by the On the Buses Fan-club and held at the Bastion Road Crazy Golf course.

The characters of the On the Buses Fan-club

The Butler Cup tournament has two categories - Pro and Amateur - as quite a few professional minigolfers are also members of the fan-club! In 2014 Emily won the first edition to feature the Pro category. Brad Shepherd won the 2015 event, while no tournament was held in 2016.

Playing a very tough plateau obstacle

The 2017 competition took place on Sunday 24th September and saw 23 players compete in one 18-hole round shoot-out.

Chris Jones leads off the tournament

In the Butler Cup contest for Pro players staying at Pontins for the Fan-club Weekender I scored a round of 35(-1) to take the win - a far-cry from my dismal sixth place finish in 2014. Alan 'Stormin' Norman shot a 37 to take the runner-up spot, with Emily in third on 38.

The Butler Cup Champion for 2017

Also competing in the Pro category were Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd who scored 39, Seth 'Wandsworth' Thomas who hit a 40 and Chris Jones who shot a 43.

The Holiday on the Buses and Prestatyn's Crazy Golf course get the thumbs-up

In the Holiday on the Buses Amateur category Ad Burton took the win with a score of 49, with Paul Thompson runner-up with a round of 51.

Ad Burton and me - Prestatyn's Crazy Golf Champions

Local minigolf professional Peter 'The Crazy Aced Assassin' Jones shot the low score of 33 to take the overall honours on the day.

Playing hole 2

Emily on the 1st

A classic Arnold Palmer Putting Course hole and a good chance of a hole-in-one

Check out the On the Buses Fan-club's website for more information.

Related blog posts:
- Prestatyn
- On the Buses
- Holiday on the Buses
- Crazy Golf in Prestatyn

Link:
- The On the Buses Fan-club