Thursday, November 19, 2009

Minigolf Doubles - Career Stats (Update)

Latest update of my career record for Minigolf Doubles matches since 17th May 2008.


Played - 26
Won - 12
Lost - 12
Drawn - 2

7 playing partners (current competition team mate is Kevin Moseley)
13 competitive matches
13 friendlies
20 matchplay matches
6 strokeplay format

Biggest winning margin to-date - 5&3 victory (with Andy Gonsalves) over Matt Smith & Fraser Cameron at Adventure Island Mini Golf at Star City, Birmingham.

Titles held:
- Second Division Champions at the 2009 BMGA British Doubles

Other Minigolf Doubles related stories on the Ham & Egger Files:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/06/minigolf-report-bmga-british-doubles.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/06/new-minigolf-doubles-playing-partner.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/05/bmga-british-doubles-tournament.html

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Richard Gottfried's Career Minigolf Record 2007-2009

Richard Gottfried's Career Minigolf Record 2007-2009

Richard Gottfried's BMGA Minigolf Tournament Results 2009

Richard Gottfried's BMGA Minigolf Tournament Results for the 2009 Season

Monday, November 16, 2009

When is a Minigolf Course not a Minigolf Course...

...on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour?

When it is one of these lone holes or automated (if out of order) Putting machines:

An out of order 'Putting Challenge' Machine up a cliff in Aberystwyth during our grand tour of Wales in August 2009.

A 'Putting Challenge' Machine up a cliff in Aberystwyth
A 'Putting Challenge' Machine up a cliff in Aberystwyth

A 'Top Putt' machine on Llandudno Pier in the summer.

A 'Top Putt' machine on Llandudno Pier
A 'Top Putt' machine on Llandudno Pier

A great little UrbanCrazy Hole at the International Direct Marketing Fair in May 2007.

A great little UrbanCrazy Hole at the International Direct Marketing Fair in May 2007

A 'Putting Challenge II' machine at Namco Station London in May 2007.

A 'Putting Challenge II' machine at Namco Station London in May 2007
For examples of courses counted as visits on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour check out the link here.

Related blog posts:
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour list of courses visited and played
Minigolf etc. - English to Welsh translations
Wales

Midlands Minigolf Club (MMGC) - Minigolf Rankings 2009

Following the conclusion of the 2009 British Minigolf Association Tour I have had a look at how the members of the Midlands Minigolf Club fared in the two Ranking Lists produced by the BMGA.

Midlands Minigolf Club - Ranking by BMGA Season-only Rankings 2009

In the BMGA Season-only Rankings 2009 I was ranked 2nd in the Midlands Minigolf Club (8th overall out of 164 ranked players). Emily was ranked 10th within the Club (37th overall)


Midlands Minigolf Club - Rankings by BMGA Order of Merit 2008-2009

In the BMGA Order of Merit 2008-2009 I was ranked 3rd in the Midlands Minigolf Club (16th overall out of 94 ranked players). Emily was ranked 6th within the Club (39th overall)

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Update: 2009 BMGA Season-only Rankings

The 2009 BMGA Season-only Rankings were released today (15th November) and Richard again had a top ten finish.



Richard finished 8th of 164 players in the 2009 BMGA Season-only Rankings with 1,190 ranking points. He also finished 8th in 2008, when 129 players were ranked.

Emily dropped down slightly on her 2008 ranking, moving from 29th to 37th place of 164. Emily also finished as the 5th best woman of 25 ranked players.

Richard & Emily's full 2009 BMGA Minigolf Season Report can be seen here.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

The 2009 BMGA Order of Merit Rankings 08-09 (end of season)

Gottfried's in the WMF World Minigolf Rankings (Nov 09)

The latest World Minigolfsport Federation (WMF) World Rankings List has been updated and released (dated 1st November, released 11th November).

Both Emily and I have moved down in the rankings from our previous positions.

In the last rankings Emily was ranked 100th and is now 130th in the Women's World Rankings.

I was previously ranked 352nd and am now 418th in the Men's World Rankings.

Great Britain is now ranked 24th of 30 Nations.

The WMF World Minigolf Rankings are those of the World Minigolfsport Federation (WMF) and are published twice annually. Competitions that earn WMF Ranking Points are predominantly played on Eternit, Beton and Swedish Felt Courses. For the purpose of the current rankings the results of the following tournaments have been included:

2007
World Championships - Canegrate / Italy WC
Nations-Cup - Canegrate / Italy NC
National Championships of 21 Nations National
European-Cup - Eskilstuna / Sweden Comp.
Integrated Youth-Players of 2007/2 (50 % of points) Comp.

2008
European Championships - Tampere / Finland Cont.Ch.
Asian Championships - Chiang Mai / Thailand Cont.Ch.
Nations-Cup - Tampere / Finland NC
National Championships of 20 Nations National
European-Cup - Hilzingen / Germany Comp.
Integrated Youth-Players of 2008/2 (50 % of points) Comp.

2009
World Championships - Odense / Denmark WC
National Championships of 20 Nations National
European-Cup - Vaduz / Liechtenstein Comp.
Nordic Championships - Tampere / Finland Comp.
U23-Team-Competition - Sirnach / Switzerland Comp

Emily and I each have one Great Britain International Cap from our appearance in the 2008 Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland.

The full WMF World Rankings List can be seen here.

Monday, November 09, 2009

Irregular Mini Golf Tour Rankings 2008-2009 Season

During the third season of the Irregular Mini Golf Tour, held between the 31st October 2008 and 30th October 2009, 50 Tour events took place with 14 players competing for Ranking Points. The final table of the 2008-2009 season Irregular Mini Golf Tour rankings is below.


Key:
NM Non-Mover
NE New Entry

Irregular Mini Golf Tour Ranking Points Calculations 2008/2009:
1st place = 100 points
2nd place = 75 points
3rd place = 50 points
Other place = 10 points


Irregular Mini Golf Tour 07-08 Season (06/10/2007 - 29/09/2008):
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/10/img-tour-end-of-season-0708-rankings.html

Irregular Mini Golf Tour 06-07 Season (30/09/2006 - 30/09/2007):
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2007/10/img-tour-end-of-season-results-rankings.html

Sunday, November 08, 2009

Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s End of Season Review

8th November 2009
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Gottfried’s End of Season Review


Luton Minigolfers Richard & Emily Gottfried’s 2009 minigolf season came to an end last week in Margate, Kent, following their participation in the British Minigolf Association’s biggest Tour Calendar to date. In total Richard competed in 18 of the 19 BMGA Tour Ranking Events he was eligible for, winning three of them. Emily played in seven tournaments with a best finish of second place.

In April, Richard won the Mini Masters at PlayGolf Manchester and followed this up on his next visit to Manchester by winning the Miniature Open title in July. In the Miniature Open Emily also had her most successful tournament to date when she won a play-off to finish in second spot. Richard’s third win of the season came in the Blackpool Pleasure Beach Open in September where he won by eight clear shots and also set the new BMGA and all-time course record at 24(par), stealing the course record rankings points from former holder Emily.

Only four other players won more than one tournament this year, and Richard was among only two other players to net three titles in 2009. Richard was also very close to sealing victory number four in early October when he attempted to defend the Weymouth Open title. After tying for the lead he lost a sudden-death play-off at the fourth extra hole and had to settle for second place (his second in two days after also finishing runner-up at the London Open in Staines). He did, however, set his second course record of the season at Weymouth with a 41(+5).

In the 2008-2009 BMGA Order of Merit Rankings published on the 7th November Richard finished the year in 16th spot of 74 players with a total of 3,022 points. This was slightly down on last year when he finished in 14th spot of 68 with 2,553 points. Emily however moved up seven places in the Order of Merit, this year finishing in her highest position to date, at 38th place with 692 points.

In the 2003-2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Rankings list both Richard and Emily have made significant movements up the table following a good showing in this year’s World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings. Richard moves up from 45th spot to 31st of 255 players, while Emily enters the top 50 at 50th place, up from 82nd spot.

In the World Minigolfsport Federation (WMF) World Minigolf Rankings list for International men’s competitions Richard is now ranked 352 of 365 players, up from 425th place of 433 last year. Emily meanwhile has moved up from 115th of 120 players to 100th position in the WMF women’s ranking list.

Richard has also competed in 12 non-Ranking minigolf tournaments alongside regular BMGA Tour events picking up three wins and six other podium places.

Richard said “Last year I had set myself the objective of winning more individual BMGA Tour events and breaking into the top five of the BMGA British Rankings. I’ve certainly won some titles but haven’t yet broken into the top five. In 2010 I’d like to continue my winning ways and I’d definitely like to be in the top ten by the end of the season.”

Emily said “I have really enjoyed this season, and although I only played in a handful of tournaments, I played much better and achieved a higher ranking than I expected.”

In the three month close-season Richard and Emily will be practicing at the recently refurbished Crazy Golf course at Tea Green Golf at Wandon End, Luton. In 2010 they will be back in action, first of all competing in the BMGA National Open at Star City in Birmingham, and there are around 20 further events scheduled for the Tour.

Ends

More photos of the Nutters with Putters on Eggheads

Kevin Botto of the Nutters with Putters quiz team has uploaded the photos he took of the team when they headed to the BBC to face-off against quiz show goliaths - the Eggheads.

A selection of the photos are below.







See also:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/07/ham-eggheads.html
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/07/nutters-with-putters-on-eggheads.html

Photos courtesy of Kevin Botto.

Finger Jousting video - Squire Richard of Surleigh vs. Sir Myles of Hampshire

The UK's number one Finger Jouster Squire Richard of Surleigh takes on his arch-rival Sir Myles of Hampshire in a point play rules Finger Jousting match.



This match took place on the 25th March 2007.

Squire Richard of Surleigh battles Sir Myles of Hampshire in a Finger Jousting match-up

For more information about the noble sport of Finger Jousting head over to the World Finger Jousting Federation's website.

Finger Jousting - three years on!

I was checking out Montegue Blister's website and it got me thinking about the sport of Finger Jousting.

Looking through the WFJF archives I re-read the story announcing my arrival on the WFJF scene and noticed that I had joined exactly three years ago today! See here for more.

Checking out my Finger Jousting career win/loss record I dug out the following stats:

Played - 108 matches
Won - 98
Lost - 9
Tied - 1
% - 90.74%

I have faced 25 different opponents in 18 locations (including Luton, Ipswich, Great Yarmouth, Felixstowe, London, St Albans, Abingdon, Wallingford, Portsmouth, Brighton and Finland!) and I am also on a 57-match winning streak that has lasted since my last defeat on 21st December 2006!

Squire Richard of Surleigh's Coat of Arms, with Motto (translation: Through effort to the stars)

Details of official World Finger Jousting Federation (WFJF) 'Point Play Rules' are below.

"In point play, different parts of the body count for different amounts of points. The legs and latent arm count as one point. The chest, back, and neck count as two points. The head counts as three points. Point play matches are played to six for tournaments, but when playing leisurely any number above two is allowed."

Check out the World Finger Jousting Federation website for more information.

Montegue Blister's Strange Games

Check out Montegue Blister's Strange Games website at http://strange-games.blogspot.com/ for details of loads of strange sports, games and pastimes.

The fine sport of Finger Jousting gets a listing.

Minigolf and Crazy Golf both get listed too!

"Top 10 finish for Gottfried" Luton News

The Luton News reported on the final tournament on the 2009 BMGA Tour with the story "Top 10 finish for Gottfried."

You can read the full story here.

Thank you to the team at the Luton News for their support and coverage of me and Emily during the minigolf season, it is very much appreciated.

Still not played - Cliftonville Crazy Golf!

Prior to last Sunday's Kent Open minigolf tournament we popped along to the little Oasis Crazy Golf Course in Cliftonvolle, Margate hoping to be able to play the second 18-hole Arnold Palmer course.

Unfortunately it was closed (again!) so wasn't the 156th course played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.



Perhaps I'll get to play it in 2010!

You can check out my previous attempts to play the course here.

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Minigolf Report – Kent Open

2nd November 2009
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Kent Open


Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried picked up his tenth top 10 finish of the season as he finished in 8th spot of 24 players in the season closing Kent Open in Margate on Sunday 1st November.

In very wet weather conditions at the 18-hole Strokes Adventure Golf course Richard managed rounds of 44 (+8), 41 (+5) and 36 (par) for a 54-hole total of 121 (+13).


The tournament was won following a play-off by London’s Nick Chitty with a score of 108 (par).

Richard said “Despite the terrible weather I managed to put together some good rounds. Last year I was 13th here so to get 8th place and another top ten finish is great.”

The new BMGA Season begins in January 2010 when Richard will be competing in the BMGA National Open at Star City, Birmingham.

Ends

Friday, October 30, 2009

Action from the final of the 2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships

Action from the final of the 2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships that took place in Hastings on Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th October 2009.

The leading group of Keith Kellard, Peter Emmerson and Anthony Pope play the final hole in the final round, with all three players scoring a hole in one!

Keith Kellard became the new World Crazy Golf Champion with an impressive 5 shot victory over the rest of the 83-strong field. Peter Emmerson was second, with Finland's John Mittler third.

Full results of the tournament can be found here.



The Gottfried's report can be found here.

Crazy Golf Snail


Spotted on the 16th Hole at Hastings Crazy Golf last weekend - a snail on the course!?

Results of the www.miniaturegolfer.com '9 Best' Crazy Golf Championships

Results of the www.miniaturegolfer.com '9 Best' Crazy Golf Championships, held in Hastings on 23/10/09.

1. Peter Emmerson 16
2. Anthony Pope 17
3. Richard Gottfried 19
3. Sean Homer 19
5. Tim 'Ace Man' Davies 20
6. Trevor Robertson 22
7. Gareth Holmes 23
8. Alan Norman 25
9. Brad Shepherd 25
10.Janette Robertson 28
10.Martin Robertson 28
12.Chris Jones 30

"Gottfrieds do like to be beside the seaside" Luton News story

This week the Luton News reported on our competing in the 2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships, and the www.miniaturegolfer.com '9 Best' Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings.

You can check out the story here.

Adventure Golf at Watford TopGolf

This evening we made a return visit to the 8th course we played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Watford TopGolf.

The 18-hole 'Florida-style' had changed a little since our last visit, with some new rock obstacles added to some of the holes.



The 9-hole Indoor Putting Green Course is now only a four/five hole set-up as seating has replaced part of the course.

The visit was also a chance to spend some of my winnings at the American Golf store from victories earlier in the season at the Manchester Mini Masters and Manchester Miniature Open.


In our match-up I beat Emily 45 shots to 48.

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

World Crazy Golf Championships - practice

Practice at the Crazy Golf course in Hastings ahead of the 2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships.



Gottfried vs. Holmes-Crazy Golf Challenge Match in Hastings

Prior to the 2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings Midlands Minigolf Club member Richard Gottfried took on the London Minigolf Club's Gareth Holmes in a 'two-hole' Crazy Golf Challenge Match.

After playing holes 1 & 18 the scores were tied and a decider was needed. Finland's John Mittler chose the second hole for the play-off, Richard was up first in the sudden death play-off, watch to find out what happened...

Not so Wacky, Waving, Inflatable, Arm-Flailing, Tube-man in London

While in London I spotted a not so Wacky, Waving, Inflatable, Arm-Flailing, Tube-man this time advertising a Car Wash in Tower Hill!


Rather than the usual 'billowing and flailing' action of the Tube-Man it was so full of air it was completely static!

Check out the link below for other examples of Wacky, Waving, Inflatable, Arm-Flailing, Tube-men I've seen on my travels:
http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/05/wacky-waving-inflatable-arm-flailing.html

Gluten Free in London - Lunch & Dinner!!!

As well as finding two new courses on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour while in London on Wednesday, we also found two new places to eat that were suitable for Coeliacs.

For the first time since my diagnosis I was able to eat out and had a great Miso Soba in Pod at Devonshire Square, and Dinner at PJ's in Covent Garden (while sat at the 'Su Pollard' table!). Both places are highly recommended, whether you're a Coeliac or not!

Gluten free at POD in London
Gluten free at POD in London
Gluten free at PJ's in London
While in Kentish Town we also spotted a cafe that served Gluten Free food! Unfortunately I wasn't hungry enough to venture in - I will do next time I'm there though.

Minigolf Course Visit No. 155 - Devonshire Square, London

On Wednesday 28th October 2009 we also visited and managed to play the Minigolf Course at Devonshire Square in London (near Liverpool Street Station).

The course visit was 199 overall (including derelicts and closed courses) and the 155th course we have played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

The 18-hole indoor course was tricky with some very interesting moving obstacles.

Great fun to play too.

Minigolf course in Devonshire Square, London
Minigolf course in Devonshire Square, London
Minigolf course in Devonshire Square, London
Minigolf course in Devonshire Square, London
Video - Introducing the 155th Crazy World of Minigolf Tour visit to Devonshire Square


Video - Hole 1


Video - Hole 2 (A very tough moving obstacle!)


Video - Hole 4 (Crazy Golf AND Bowling! What could be better?)



In the "Richard vs. Emily" Irregular Minigolf Tour match-up it was Emily who won by a stroke, with a score of 46 to my 47.

The course manager told us that in November, December and January the course will be changed to have a Christmas/Winter Wonderland theme! Hopefully we'll get a chance to return to play the new course layout then.

View other courses visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Link to a blog post about other Mini Golf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf courses in and around London.

Minigolf Course Visit - Clarence Way Crazy Golf in Camden, London

On Wednesday 28th October we headed to London on the hunt for Crazy Golf courses and found the 12-hole Crazy Golf course on the Clarence Way Housing Estate in Camden.

Clarence Way Crazy Golf course in Camden, North London
Clarence Way Crazy Golf course in Camden, North London
The course was the same design/build as those in Swansea, however the course in Camden was only for use by the residents of the estate and their visitors. No one was playing!

Clarence Way Crazy Golf course in Camden, North London

View other courses visited on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Link to a blog post about other Mini Golf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf courses in and around London.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Minigolf Report – Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships

26th October 2009
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships


Luton Minigolfers Richard & Emily Gottfried represented England for the third time since their debut in 2007 as they competed in the seventh annual Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Championships at the Sea Front Adventure Golf Complex in Hastings on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October.


For the second consecutive year Richard made the ‘cut’ to qualify for the final round to finish in 17th place of 83 competitors. Richard also finished 17th (of 68) in 2008, though he improved on his total by four shots in the expanded field of players. Emily finished in 45th place (down two places from 43rd in 2008), and was also the fifth ranked player (of twelve) in the Women’s World Crazy Golf Championships that was played in parallel with the main tournament.

The competitors played six qualifying rounds (four on Saturday, two on Sunday) on two 18-hole courses, with the top ranked 18 players making the cut to take part in the final round. The overall winner was Keith Kellard from Bishop’s Stortford. Second was Brighton’s Peter Emmerson, with John Mittler from Finland in third place. Kellard won with a seven round total of 247 (-5), an average of 1.96 shots per hole, and five shots clear of the field.

Richard’s seven round total was 264 (+12), an average of 2.09 shots per hole, after rounds of 35, 40, 35, 41, 37, 37 and 39. He said “It was a great weekend of Crazy Golf and I am pleased to say that I didn’t have a single bad round. Last year I had a nightmare in my fifth round, but I’ve learned from my mistakes. I also enjoyed the Miniaturegolfer.com competition on the Friday and it was great to get third place there.”


Emily finished with a six round total of 247 (+31), an average of 2.28 shots per hole and 18 shots better than in 2008. Emily’s rounds were 42, 41, 38, 39 and 37.

Prior to the main event Richard was invited to compete in the “www.miniaturegolfer.com 'Nine Best' Crazy Golf Championship” to celebrate the ninth year of the Miniaturegolfer.com website. The competition was held on Friday 23rd October and took place over the nine hardest holes at the Sea Front minigolf complex. In the field of 12 players Richard finished in tied third place with Kent’s Sean Homer, both on one-over par. Peter Emmerson was the winner on two-under par, with Anthony Pope second on one-under par.

Before the 2009 World Crazy Golf Championships Richard was ranked in 45th spot of 217 players in the Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Rankings for 2003-2008, Emily was 82nd. The new Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Rankings for 2003-2009 will be published later this week.

Ends

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Courses visited with links

I have started adding links to the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour courses visited list, so you can now click through from the list to the webpage on the Ham & Egger Files detailing our visit to the course.

Some of the courses have had course reviews submitted by me to Miniaturegolfer.com and The Putting Penguin websites. Where available you can click through to the relevant link from the list below.

So far 155 courses have been played, with a further 44 visited (but not played for one reason or another - details below).

All courses played 30th September 2006 - 13th October 2009
1 Portsmouth/Southsea (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf (Victory Trail)
2 Portsmouth/Southsea (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf (Warrior Trail)
3 Southsea (Golf Links) - 9 Hole Par 3/Pitch & Putt
4 Luton (Woodside Animal Farm) - Adventure Golf
5 Felixstowe (Mannings) - Golf FX - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
6 Felixstowe (Sea Front) - Crazy Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
7 Felixstowe (Fantasia) - Adventure Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
8 Watford (Top Golf) - Adventure Golf
9 Watford (Top Golf) - 9 Hole Putting Green
10 West Hagbourne, Oxon (Horse & Harrow Pub) - Crazy Golf
11 Shefford, Bedfordshire (The Green Man Pub) - Crazy Golf
12 Brighton (East of Palace Pier) - Crazy Golf
13 Brighton (Peter Pan's) - Adventure Golf
14 Southend-on-Sea (Adventure Island) - Adventure Golf (Inca course)
15 Southend-on-Sea (Adventure Island) - Adventure Golf (Aztec course)
16 Southend-on-Sea (Arnold Palmer Minigolf, East Course) - Minigolf
17 St Albans, Hertfordshire (Verulamium Park) - Crazy Golf
18 Luton (Wardown Park) - Crazy Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
19 Luton (Wardown Park) - Mini Golf/Pitch & Putt
20 Lowestoft - Adventure Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
21 Great Yarmouth (Pirates Cove) - Adventure Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
22 Great Yarmouth (Arnold Palmer) - Minigolf 18-hole - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
23 Great Yarmouth (Arnold Palmer) - Minigolf 9-hole - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here24 Great Yarmouth (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
25 Great Yarmouth (Jungle Golf at the Gardens) - Crazy Golf (Update: 10th May 2009 - no longer exists, a Segway Grand Prix track is in its place) - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
26 Great Yarmouth (Hollywood Adventure Golf, Windmill Theatre) - Indoor Adventure Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
27 Warwick (St Nicholas Park) - Adventure Golf
28 Warwick (St Nicholas Park) - Derelict Crazy Golf
29 Milton Keynes (Willen Lake) - Adventure Golf
30 Luton (Stockwood Park) - Mini Golf/Pitch & Putt
31 Abingdon (Abbey Meadow) - Crazy Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
32 Abingdon (Abbey Meadow) - Pitch & Putt/Mini Golf
33 Stonham, Suffolk (Stonham Barns) - Crazy Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
34 Margate (Strokes) - Adventure Golf
35 Broadstairs (Lillyputt Minigolf) - Lillyputt Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
36 Margate (Palm Bay Café) Cliftonville - Crazy Golf on Grass
37 Margate (Little Oasis Crazy Golf) Cliftonville - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer) 1 of the 2 18-hole courses
38 Letchworth Garden City - Putting Course on Grass
39 Hastings (Seafront) - Crazy Golf
40 Hastings (Seafront) - Minigolf
41 Hastings (Seafront) - Adventure Golf
42 Broxbourne (Paradise Wildlife Park) - Adventure Golf
43 Hastings (Planet Hastings) - Minigolf
44 Blackpool (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf (New)
45 Blackpool (Starr Gate) - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
46 Blackpool (Pleasure Beach) - Adventure Golf (Old 'Alpine Golf')
47 Blackpool (Stanley Park) - Crazy Golf
48 Lytham St Anne’s - Crazy Golf
49 Stratford-upon-Avon - Minigolf
50 Tampere, Finland - Beton
51 Tampere, Finland - Eternit
52 Tampere, Finland - Swedish Felt
53 Felixstowe (Sea Front) - Putting Green
54 Coalville - Adventure Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
55 Scarborough - Adventure Golf
56 Filey - Crazy Golf
57 Birmingham (Star City) - Adventure Golf (Lost Hut Trail)
58 Birmingham (Star City) - Adventure Golf (Hidden Cove Challenge)
59 Northwick Park - ‘Mini Majors’ Adventure Golf
60 Eastbourne (Treasure Island) - Adventure Golf
61 Southsea - Crazy Golf
62 Southsea - Putting Green
63 Shanklin (Isle of Wight) - Beton Crazy Golf
64 Shanklin (Isle of Wight) - Adventure Golf
65 Rylstone Gardens (Isle of Wight) - Crazy Golf
66 Sandown (Isle of Wight) - Indoor Adventure Golf
67 Sandown (Isle of Wight) - Beton Crazy Golf
68 Ryde (Isle of Wight) - Adventure Golf
69 Hayling Island - Adventure Golf
70 Wroxham Barns - Adventure Golf
71 Bury St Edmunds (Abbey Gardens) - Crazy Golf
72 Dorridge (Four Ashes Golf Centre) - Minigolf
73 Coventry (Allesley Park) - Crazy Golf
74 New Malden - Jurassic Golf
75 Guildford (Stoke Park) - Swedish Felt
76 Weymouth (Sea Life Centre) - Adventure Golf
77 Weymouth (Bowleaze Cove) - Crazy Golf
78 Herne Bay - Adventure Golf
79 Gravesend (Woodlands Park) - Derelict Crazy Golf
80 Bluewater - Pro Tour Putting
81 Motspur Park (Sir Joseph Hood Park) - Mini Golf
82 Northglenn, Denver, Colorado, USA (Boondocks Fun Center) Caverns Mill Course - Miniature Golf - Review at The Putting Penguin here
83 Northglenn, Denver, Colorado, USA (Boondocks Fun Center) Hillbilly Hallow Course - Miniature Golf - Review at The Putting Penguin here
84 http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/04/minigolf-course-visit-no-84.html - Miniature Golf
85 Manchester (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Tiki Hut Trail) - Adventure Golf
86 Manchester (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Temple Ruins Adventure) - Adventure Golf
87 Canvey Island (Fantasy Island) - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
88 Hemsby - Lost World Adventure Golf
89 Glasgow (Victoria Park) - 9-hole Putting Green
90 Glasgow (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Maggie McCaw's Challenge) - Adventure Golf
91 Glasgow (Paradise Island Adventure Golf, Tiki Hut Trail) - Adventure Golf
92 Dovercourt - Swedish Felt
93 Clacton-on-Sea - Eternit
94 Clacton-on-Sea (Augusta Masters) - Adventure Golf
95 Blake End, near Braintree - Swedish Felt
96 Hemel Hempstead (Gadebridge Park) - 9-hole Crazy Golf
97 Maidenhead (Riverside Gardens) - 18-hole Eternit
98 Windsor (Alexandra Gardens) - 12-hole Eternit
99 Windsor (Alexandra Gardens) - 9-hole Eternit Putting Course
100 South Shields, Tyneside (Smugglers Cove) - 12-hole Adventure Golf
101 Tynemouth (Lost World Blue Course) - Adventure Golf
102 Tynemouth (Lost World Red Course) - Adventure Golf

103 Newcastle (Gosforth Park) - Minigolf
104 Ripon (Spa Gardens) - Crazy Golf
105 Ripon (Spa Gardens) - Putting Course
106 Sandbanks - Crazy Golf
107 Bournemouth (Lower Gardens) - Minigolf
108 Boscombe (Chine Gardens) - Minigolf
109 Southbourne/Fisherman's Walk (Cafe Riva) - Crazy Golf
110 Fordingbridge (Tudor Rose Inn) - Miniature Golf
111 Tea Green, Wandon End, Luton - Crazy Golf - Review at Miniaturegolfer.com here
112 Bexhill-on-Sea (Metropole) - Crazy Golf
113 Tea Green, Wandon End, Luton - Putting Green
114 Manchester (Wythenshawe Park) - Crazy Golf
115 Walton Hall Gardens (Warrington) - Miniature Golf
116 Walton Hall Gardens (Warrington) - Putting Green
117 Staines (Lammas Park) - Adventure Golf
118 Oxford (Bury Knowle Park) - Swedish Felt
119 Oxford (Florence Park) - Swedish Felt
120 Oxford (Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park) - Swedish Felt
121 Barry Island/Ynys y Barri (Smuggler's Cove) - Adventure Golf
122 Porthcawl (Trecco Caravan Park) - Adventure Golf
123 Porthcawl (Trecco Caravan Park) - Putting

124 Swansea/Abertawe (Southend Park, The Mumbles) - Crazy Golf
125 Swansea/Abertawe (Singleton Boating Lake) - Crazy Golf

126 Gowerton (Gowerton Golf Range) - Minigolf
127 Gowerton (Gowerton Golf Range) - Putting Course
128 Pembrey/Pen-bre (Pembrey Country Park) - Crazy Golf
129 Pendine Bay - Crazy Golf
130 Saundersfoot - Crazy Golf
131 Heatherton Park, near Tenby - Adventure Golf
132 Eglwyswrw (Dyfed Shires & Leisure Farm) - Crazy Golf
133 Henllan Station (Teifi Valley Railway), near Newcastle Emlyn - Crazy Golf
134 Llanrhystud (Penrhos Golf & Country Club) - Crazy Golf
135 Aberystwyth - Crazy Golf
136 Aberystwyth - Putting
137 Aberdovey/Aberdyfi - Putting
138 Tywyn (Leisure Park) - Crazy Golf
139 Isle of Anglesey/Ynys Môn (Holyhead Park) - Crazy Golf
140 Isle of Anglesey/Ynys Môn (Bodorgan, Henblas Country Park) - Crazy Golf
141 Isle of Anglesey/Ynys Môn (Anglesey Sea Zoo) - Swedish Felt
142 Llandudno (Great Orme/Y Gogarth) - Alpine Adventure Golf
143 Llandudno (Great Orme/Y Gogarth) - Rocky Pines Adventure Golf
144 Towyn (Knightly's on Sandbank Road) - Crazy Golf
145 Rhyl (Drift Park) - Minigolf
146 Rhyl (Welsh Dragon) - Adventure Golf
147 Prestatyn - Arnold Palmer Putting Course
148 Llangollen (Riverside Park) - Minigolf
149 Oswestry (Cae Glas Park) - Eternit Minigolf
150 Southport (The Masters Putting Course) - Arnold Palmer Putting Course
151 Blackpool (Golden Isle) - Indoor Adventure Golf
152 Fleetwood (Marine Hall Gardens) - Crazy Golf
153 Poole (Poole Park) - Crazy Golf
154 Poole (Poole Park) - Putting Green
155 London (Devonshire Square) - Minigolf

In addition to the 155 courses we have played, we have also made visits to 44 other Minigolf courses around the country, which for one reason or another have been unplayable. Details are below:

Courses visited but not played* 30th September 2006 - 13th October 2009
1 Southend-on-Sea (Arnold Palmer Minigolf, West Course) - Derelict Minigolf (Update: 25th April 2009 - now demolished)
2 Alton Towers - Extraordinary Golf3 Lowestoft - Putting Green
4 Lytham St Anne’s - Crazy Golf #2
5 Weymouth - Putting Green
6 Guildford Lido - Minigolf
7 Margate (Little Oasis Crazy Golf) Cliftonville - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer) the 2nd 18-hole course
8 Hemsby (Stonehenge) - BIG Mini Golf
9 Gorleston-on-Sea (Pop's Meadow Putting Green) - Minigolf (Arnold Palmer)
10 Gorleston-on-Sea (Bure Park) - Pitch & Putt/Minigolf
11 Glasgow - Victoria Park - Derelict 18-hole Minigolf
12 Bedford - Putting Green
13 Dovercourt - Putting Green
14 Southwold - Putting Green
15 Felixstowe (Sea Front) - new build (not yet complete as at May 2009)
16 Tynemouth - the site of a now demolished Arnold Palmer course
17 Newcastle (Exhibition Park) - Derelict 9-hole Crazy Golf
18 Bournemouth (Near Lower Gardens) - Derelict course
19 Manchester (Heaton Park) - Crazy Golf - no longer exists
20 Warrington (Orford Park) - Now flower beds!?
21 Barry Island/Ynys y Barri - Crazy Golf - Demolished for new Smuggler's Cove Adventure Golf
22 Pendine Sands - Crazy Golf - Demolished
23 Saundersfoot (Merlewood Hotel) - Putting Course - for hotel guests only
24 Gumfreston (The Dinosaur Park) - Adventure Golf - was just closing
25 Herons Brook Animal Farm - Crazy Golf (Demolished five years ago)
26 Aberystwyth Cliff Railway - Claimed to have a new Crazy Golf course - it did not exist
27 Aberystwyth Cliff Railway - The 'Games Room' did have a broken minigolf arcade machine that was out of order
28 Tywyn (Leisure Park) - Putting (ran out of time on visit)
29 Porthmadog - Crazy Golf (arrived at 5.30pm, course closed at 6pm but would not let us play)
30 Porthmadog - Swedish Felt (arrived at 5.30pm, course closed at 6pm but would not let us play)
31 Porthmadog - Putting (arrived at 5.30pm, course closed at 6pm but would not let us play)

32 Criccieth - Miniature Golf (Pitch & Putt)
33 Criccieth - Miniature Golf (Pitch & Putt)
34 Abergwyngregyn (Aber Falls Tavern) - course unplayable, Tavern under redevelopment
35 Llanfairfechan - Crazy Golf - only holes 13, 14, 15, 16 & 17 remain - no kiosk
36 Southport (Hesketh Park) - Crazy Golf - only open weekends (visited on a Friday)
37 Southport (Pleasure Land) - Moroccan Adventure Golf - derelict (but still in good condition for the shape it's in)
38 Cleveleys (Jubilee Park/Gardens) - Crazy Golf - Demolished
39 Blackpool (Gynn Gardens) - Crazy Golf - Closed for the season
40 Blackpool (Metropole) - Crazy Golf - Closed for the season
41 Leyland (Worden Park) - Mini Golf - Open weekends at 11am but was closed when we visited on a Sunday!?
42 Sandbanks - Putting Green
43 Weymouth - Riviera Hotel
44 London (Clarence Way, Camden) - Crazy Golf - Residents-only course, no clubs or balls for hire

* Due to closure, flooding, dereliction or other causes

Related blog post:
List of courses visited and played on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

BIG Golf at Tea Green, plus the Pitch Black Minigolf Classic

Headed up to Tea Green for a round of 9-hole BIG Golf this evening.

It was light when we started!


By the 9th hole the light had faded and we were playing the hole by sound alone!


We did have a play on the 9-hole Minigolf though.

I won the first-ever Pitch Black Minigolf Classic 19(+1) to my opponent, Simon 'Practice' Hall's 21(+3).

Monday, October 19, 2009

'The Luton Eye' Giant Wheel in St George's Square

Yesterday we had a ride on 'The Luton Eye' Big Wheel that has been set up in St George's Square.




Very good for £3.00 a go, as you get about 10 minutes on it.

Two years ago in minigolf...

...http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2007_10_01_archive.html