Sandwell Valley Park - New Mini Golf Course - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

On Sunday 24th January 2010 we headed to Sandwell Valley Park in West Bromwich to visit and play the 18-hole Eternit Miniature Golf Course there. It became The course was the 159th played, and 205th visited overall on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

On the 19th April 2010 we heard from MMGC team mates Chris Harding and Paul & Owen Johnson that the 18-hole Eternit course had been scrapped, with a new Swedish Felt course set to take its place.

Following the Star City Open minigolf tournament at Adventure Island Mini Golf at Star City in Birmingham on Sunday 23rd January 2011 we headed back to the course for a look at the new 9-hole Swedish Felt B-Run Minigolf Course.




















Over the road from the Crazy Golf/Mini Golf course there was also a sign for another Mini Golf course! This I believe is of the Pitch & Putt variety, and I've heard the course isn't too bad to play.


Click for details of more course visits on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Gottfried's in the BMGA Season Only Ranking List for 2011 (following the BMGA Star City Open)

The BMGA has published the first edition of the new season's Ranking List following the BMGA Star City Open at Adventure Island Mini Golf in Birmingham.

I am currently ranked in tied 16th place of 34 players with 420 points in the BMGA Season Only Rankings for 2011. Emily is ranked in tied 19th spot with 390 points.

Gottfried Minigolf Rankings in 2010 - BMGA, WMF, WCGC, MMGC, GMGC

GoRPS Rock Paper Scissors Championships in Birmingham

Following the action at the BMGA Star City Open minigolf tournament, and prior to the mayhem of the Laser Station Challenge on Sunday 23rd January a bunch of players waited in the Beach Road Cafe Bar playing pool and whiling away the 25 minute wait.

With some time still to spare the Guild of Rock Paper Scissors (GoRPS) arranged an impromptu RPS Battle!

With seven players competing it was Irchester's Marc 'The Roller' Bazeley who triumphed, with an impressive undefeated streak of 4 wins in a row, in the 'best-of-3-throws-winner-stays-on' format event!

Photo: Kevin 'Max' Moseley throws an agressive 'Paper', only to be cut short by Northamptonshire's RPS #1 Marc 'The Roller' Bazeley.

Full Results from the GoRPS Rock Paper Scissors Championships in Birmingham
Match 1 - Richard Gottfried lost to Oliver Florence
Match 2 - Emily Gottfried beat Oliver Florence
Match 3 - Marc Bazeley bested Emily Gottfried
Match 4 - Marc Bazeley defeated The Leamington Spa-Based Man of Mystery
Match 5 - Marc Bazeley beat Richard 'Richard' Skeggs
Match 6 - Marc Bazeley defeated Kevin Moseley

Back in November 2010 Richard and Emily competed in the UK Rock Paper Scissors Championships (Ollie and fellow GoRPS member Paul 'The Terminator' Jones were spectators then). The GoRPS was formed that very night too!

strange games: Mini Golf 2011 events & Midget Golf

strange games: Mini Golf 2011 events & Midget Golf: "The British Mini Golf Association 2011 event list is finalised with diminutive golfing events around the country in such hotspots of glamour..."

A bizarre 'Gluten Free' Restaurant Menu spotted in Birmingham

A bizarre Restaurant Menu spotted by Emily Gottfried at the Beach Road Cafe Bar at Star City, Birmingham. It states some menu options are Gluten Free, but the menu hasn't got any Gluten Free dishes!?

Asking inside the staff had no idea what Gluten was, or anything about the Coeliac options!?

Results of the first Scrap Iron Cup Minigolf Competition of 2011

Fourth Scrap Iron Cup Minigolf Competition - Results and Report

On Saturday 22nd January five members of the Midlands Minigolf Club (MMGC) took part in the intra-team Scrap Iron Cup competition played at the 36-hole Adventure Island Mini Golf course at Star City, Birmingham. The tournament used a two-round mixed strokeplay and matchplay format.

The top ranked player after round one was British Ladies Number One Cindy Kukielka, who scored the only under-par round with an excellent 34(-2).

To decide who would join Cindy as the other finalist a play-off was required after Paul Johnson and Richard Gottfried had both tied on 37(+1). A sudden-death play-off followed and was won at the fourth extra-hole by Gottfried. The play off saw Paul and Richard score 1-1, 1-1, 2-2 and 4-1.

In the 18-hole Matchplay Match final-round Gottfried won 3&1 in a very back and forth match against Kukielka to dash hopes of the Scrap Iron Cup making its way to Wales for the first time.

The Scrap Iron Cup Championship will be contested again in Bristol in February.

Full details and results are below:

Scrap Iron Cup
Adventure Island Mini Golf, Star City, Birmingham 22/01/2011
Venue: Lost Hut Trail (Strokeplay), Hidden Cove (Matchplay)

Round One - Strokeplay
Rank Player Score
1. Cindy Kukielka 34
2. Richard Gottfried 37 – won sudden-death play-off at the 4th extra hole
3. Paul Johnson 37
4. Owen Johnson 39
5. Emily Gottfried 41

Round Two – Matchplay

Cindy Kukielka vs. Richard Gottfried

Richard Gottfried wins 3&1

Richard celebrates his victory and regaining the trophy (following his defeat at the hands of Owen 'Jackpot' Johnson in 2010).

Scrap Iron Cup - Hall of Fame
2011 - #4 - Richard Gottfried beat Cindy Kukielka - Birmingham
2010 - #3 - Owen Johnson beat Richard Gottfried - Birmingham
2010 - #2 - Richard Gottfried beat Paul Johnson - Weymouth
2010 - #1 - Richard Gottfried beat Paul Johnson - Sandbanks

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 (often 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

Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s Back in action at the BMGA Star City Open in Birmingham

23rd January 2011
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s Back in action at the BMGA Star City Open in Birmingham

Luton Minigolfers Richard and Emily Gottfried teed-off in the first event of the 2011 British Minigolf Association (BMGA) Tour season on Sunday 23rd January at the BMGA Star City Open at Adventure Island Mini Golf, Star City, Birmingham.

Richard was unable to find the form that saw him finish 8th at the BMGA National Open on the Star City course last January and finished mid-table at tied 17th of 34 players, with a total of 108(par), having scored 33, 40 and 35.

Following a forced break from competition due to injury, Emily was in her first full singles BMGA Tour event since the Scottish Open in May last year, and finished in 28th place with a score of 121(+13) after rounds of 42, 40 and 39.

The tournament was played over three 18-hole rounds at the two-course, 36-hole Star City venue, and was won by Oxford’s Michael Smith with a score of 89(-19). Canterbury’s Marc Chapman was runner-up, with Germany’s Martin Stoeckle third.

Richard said “I was nowhere near my best today, and I had to be, with so many players on top form. Last year I hit my first sub-30 round and set a course record here, however my play this time out was a bit too mediocre for my liking. There’s a long season of events ahead and I’m looking forward to visiting some of the new venues like Liverpool and having a crack at some new course records. On the plus side it’s great to see Emily back in BMGA action after having to sit out most of 2010.”

Richard is now in his fifth year as a BMGA Tour player and has won the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Open, Manchester Mini Masters, Manchester Miniature Open, Weymouth Open and the BMGA British Club Championships. His best finish in 2010 was as the runner-up in the BMGA British Matchplay Championships in Worthing. Last season he was ranked as 7th of 160 players in the BMGA Season Only Rankings, and 11th of 98 in the BMGA Order of Merit for 2009/10. Emily was 41st in the Order of Merit and 100th in the Season Only Rankings.

Next up for Richard is a visit to the 36-hole Jungle Rumble course in Bristol for the BMGA Rumble in the Jungle Competition in February. So far a further 16 BMGA Tour events have been confirmed for the 2011 Tour Season.

Ends

Gottfried runner-up in the latest GMGC Club Tournament

21st January 2011
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Gottfried Runner-up in the latest GMGC Club Tournament

Ahead of the start of the new British Minigolf Association (BMGA) Tour Season Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried travelled to the Green Indoor Mini Golf course in Hither Green to take part in the latest GMGC Thursday night Club Tournament.

Richard Gottfried playing the 15th hole at Hither Green

In the two-round six player event Gottfried recorded scores of 35(-1) and 34(-2) for a total of 69(-3), 53 with his +8 GMGC Handicap. This was enough to secure second place in both the handicapped and unhandicapped result lists. William Donelly won the handicap event, with Nick Sandqvist winning the unhandicapped rounds.

The first round of the tournament was played using the course's 'Hard' settings, while the second round used the 'Easy' obstacles.

Following the event Richard said "I am pleased to have hit two good rounds, and to have recorded a new Swedish Felt personal best with my first competitive round on the course following some hole modifications is great."

Ends

About the GMGC Club Tournaments

Each Thursday night from 7pm the Green Mini Golf Club holds GMGC Club Championship minigolf competitions, played out over two 18-hole rounds.

Richard Gottfried’s GMGC Club Tournament Record
• GMGC Club Tournament - 1st of 11
o GMGC Club Tournament (without Handicap) - 3rd of 11
• GMGC Club Tournament - 9th of 13
o GMGC Club Tournament (without Handicap) - 8th of 13
• GMGC Club Tournament - Tied 6th of 9
o GMGC Club Tournament (without Handicap) - 7th of 9
• GMGC Club Tournament - Tied 7th of 13
o GMGC Club Tournament (without Handicap) - 7th of 13
• GMGC Club Tournament - 2nd of 6
o GMGC Club Tournament (without Handicap) - 2nd of 6

The GMGC are based at the Green Indoor Mini Golf course in Hither Green, Lewisham, London. The course is well worth a visit, and the Course/Club now have a presence on Facebook.

You can check out the Club and Course website at http://www.thegreenminigolf.co.uk/

Two hole update at The Green Indoor Mini Golf in Hither Green - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Two hole update at The Green Indoor Mini Golf in Hither Green

Two holes at The Green Indoor Mini Golf course have had some changes made to them since my last visit.

Hole 16 used to look like this, with a square 'top end'. It has now been rounded so that a slightly different shot is required.

A bigger change can be seen on the 18th hole, which used to be an almost guaranteed Ace opportunity. In 'hard' mode, there is now a block with two gaps that you have to play through. Tricky indeed!

Seasides Visited on Our UK Coastal Tour to Date

Back in 2006 we made a resolution to visit as many different seasides all over the UK. To date we've visited 110 in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The list so far is:1 Aberdeen
2 Aberystwyth
3 Aldeburgh
4 Bangor
5 Barry Island
6 Bexhill on Sea
7 Blackpool
8 Bodorgan
9 Boscombe
10 Bournemouth
11 Bridport
12 Brighton
13 Broadstairs
14 Brynsiencyn
15 Caister on Sea
16 Camber Sands
17 Canvey Island
18 Cardiff
19 Cardigan
20 Chickerell
21 Cleveleys
22 Cliftonville
23 Colwyn Bay
24 Criccieth
25 Dovercourt
26 Dymchurch
27 Eastbourne
28 Felixstowe
29 Filey
30 Fisherman's Walk
31 Fleetwood
32 Folkestone
33 Fordingbridge
34 Fortuneswell
35 Frinton on Sea
36 Gorleston on Sea
37 Gowerton
38 Great Yarmouth
39 Gumfreston
40 Harwich
41 Hastings
42 Hayling Island
43 Hemsby
44 Herne Bay
45 Holland on Sea
46 Holyhead
47 Horsey
48 Isle of Anglesey
49 Jaywick
50 Laugharne
51 Llandudno
52 Llanfairfechan
53 Llangollen
54 Llanyravon
55 Lowestoft
56 Lytham St Annes
57 Margate
58 Monkseaton
59 New Quay
60 Newport
61 Pembrey
62 Penarth
63 Penrhos/Llanrhystud
64 Pontypool
65 Poole
66 Port Einon
67 Porthcawl
68 Porthmadog
69 Portland (Isle of)
70 Portsmouth
71 Prestatyn
72 Ramsgate
73 Rhos on Sea
74 Rhuddlan
75 Rhyl
76 Ryde
77 Rye
78 Sandbanks
79 Sandown
80 Saundersfoot
81 Scarborough
82 Scratby
83 Sea Palling
84 Seaton Burn
85 Seaton Carew
86 Seaton Delaver
87 Seaton Sluice
88 Shanklin
89 Shoeburyness
90 South Shields
91 Southbourne
92 Southend on Sea
93 Southport
94 Southsea
95 Southwold
96 Swansea
97 Tenby
98 The Mumbles
99 Towyn
100 Tynemouth
101 Tywyn
102 Walton on the Naze
103 Waxham
104 Westgate on Sea
105 Weymouth
106 Whitley Bay
107 Whitstable
108 Winterton on Sea
109 Worthing
110 Wyke Regis




Photos:Broadstairs 2007
Us in Margate 2009
Southsea 2008
Southend 2008
Blackpool 2008

Course Played #69 Hayling Island - Adventure Golf - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

On the 27th July 2008 we were in Hampshire and headed to Hayling Island where we visited and played the 69th course on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - the 11-hole Pirate-themed Adventure Golf course at the Funland Themepark.








In the 'Hayling Island Classic' minigolf competition, played as a stage of the 'Hampshire & Isle of Wight Invitational Tournament' the results were:
1st - Christopher Gottfried - 29(+7)
2nd - Richard Gottfried - 32(+10)
3rd - Emily Gottfried - 33(+11)

Link:
- Funland Themepark

Related blog post:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Course Played #68 Ryde (Isle of Wight) - Adventure Golf - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

The 10-hole Pirate-themed Adventure Golf Course in the town of Ryde was the 68th course visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour, and the sixth and final one played on our Irregular Mini Golf Tour of the Isle of Wight on the 26th July 2008.











In the 'Ryde Open' minigolf competition, played as a stage of the 'Hampshire & Isle of Wight Invitational Tournament' the results were:
1st - Emily Gottfried - 22(+2)
2nd - Richard Gottfried - 25(+5)
3rd - Christopher Gottfried - 27(+17)

Unfortunately we ran out of time before the Hovercraft left for Southsea, so were unable to play the other Crazy Golf course in Ryde.

We'll re-visit the Isle of Wight again in the future and make sure we visit that course first.

Links to other course visits on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.