Monday, April 05, 2010

From the Archives - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Course Visit #13 - Brighton - Peter Pan's


Course Visit #13 on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour was to Brighton's 12-hole Peter Pan Adventure Golf course on Madeira Drive.

I first visited the course in March 2007 and then re-visited while we were in town for the Brighton Open minigolf tournament in July 2007.



The course was also visited when we were in town for the 2008 Brighton Open competition.

Crazy Golf in Brighton

Playing the Crazy Golf course East of Palace Pier in Brighton.

Crazy Golf course in Brighton
Course Visit #12 on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour was to Brighton's very well positioned 18-hole Crazy Golf course east of the Palace Pier.

I first visited the course in March 2007 and then re-visited while we were in town for the Brighton Open minigolf tournament in July 2007 (which was played at the better 12-hole Peter Pan Adventure Gole course on Madeira Drive - course visit #13).

Crazy Golf course in Brighton
Crazy Golf course in Brighton
I have also heard there are two other Crazy Golf courses in Brighton that I am yet to visit (one at the Marina, the other outside King Alfred's Leisure Centre).

There also used to be a Crazy Golf game on the pier too - it's long gone now!

Related blog posts:
- Brighton
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- A Gottfried visits a closed minigolf course

Friday, April 02, 2010

Ham & Egger Files linked to in Hither Green Minigolf story

The Ham & Egger Files and the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour have been mentioned in a blog post by Max Calò about the Meridian South Piazza and the new Swedish Felt Minigolf course in Hither Green, Lewisham.

Click on the link to read the blog post "Will Minigolf save the Meridian South Piazza?"

Not a Crazy Golf/Minigolf hole in Austria...

...but it looked like it could have been (albeit if it wasn't in someone's front garden in Bisamberg!)


Another 'non-course', this one spotted in Southsea a few years ago.

Minigolf Course Visit #210(a!?) - Vienna, Austria (Askoe Wien Wasserpark) - pit-pat "Hindernis Billards"!

The Askoe Wien Wasserpark is home to a pit-pat "Hindernis Billards"* course!

It looks like minigolf, on legs, played with cues!

Pit-Pat at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
Pit-Pat at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
Pit-Pat at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
Pit-Pat at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
I have heard there is a course in the UK - I will seek it out.
- Update: April 2014 - the course is in Littlehampton.

* "Obstacle Billiards"

Links:
Askoe Wien website
Askoe Wien on Facebook
Austrian Minigolf Federation (Ă–sterreichischer Bahnengolf-Verband)
Minigolf Tag (Minigolf Day)
World Minigolf Federation

Related blog posts:
Austria
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Pit-Pat
Minigolf Tag
Minigolf Course Played #163 - Vienna, Austria (Askoe Wien Wasserpark) - Swedish Felt
Minigolf Course Visit #210 - Vienna, Austria (Askoe Wien Wasserpark) - Eternit Miniature Golf

Minigolf Course Visit #210 - Vienna, Austria (Askoe Wien Wasserpark) - Eternit Miniature Golf

Unfortunately on my trip to Vienna the 18-hole Eternit Miniature Golf course at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark was not open (as the minigolf season had not yet started).

Eternit Miniature Golf course at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
Eternit Miniature Golf course at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
Eternit Miniature Golf course at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
Eternit Miniature Golf course at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
Eternit Miniature Golf course at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
Links:
Askoe Wien website
Askoe Wien on Facebook
Austrian Minigolf Federation (Ă–sterreichischer Bahnengolf-Verband)
Minigolf Tag (Minigolf Day)
World Minigolf Federation

Related blog posts:
Austria
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Pit-Pat
Minigolf Tag
Minigolf Course Played #163 - Vienna, Austria (Askoe Wien Wasserpark) - Swedish Felt
Minigolf Course Visit #210(a!?) - Vienna, Austria (Askoe Wien Wasserpark) - pit-pat "Hindernis Billards"!

Minigolf Course Played #163 - Vienna, Austria (Askoe Wien Wasserpark) - Swedish Felt

While in Vienna, Austria recently I had the chance to play the 18-hole Swedish Felt Minigolf course at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark.

Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
Swedish Felt minigolf course at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
An incredibly tough course, and the longest Swedish Felt course in Europe.

Swedish Felt minigolf course at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
Swedish Felt minigolf course at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
Swedish Felt minigolf course at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
Swedish Felt minigolf course at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
Swedish Felt minigolf course at the Askoe Wien Wasserpark in Vienna, Austria
Links:
Askoe Wien website
Askoe Wien on Facebook
Austrian Minigolf Federation (Ă–sterreichischer Bahnengolf-Verband)
Minigolf Tag (Minigolf Day)
World Minigolf Federation

Related blog posts:
Austria
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Pit-Pat
Minigolf Tag
Minigolf Course Visit #210 - Vienna, Austria (Askoe Wien Wasserpark) - Eternit Miniature Golf
Minigolf Course Visit #210(a!?) - Vienna, Austria (Askoe Wien Wasserpark) - pit-pat "Hindernis Billards"!

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

"Richard Gottfried pipped to the post in Lewisham" - Luton News minigolf report

The Sports News Report - "Richard Gottfried pipped to the post in Lewisham" - about my second place in the Spring Classic minigolf competition at Hither Green is in today's Luton News & Dunstable Gazette newspapers, page 119 .

There is also a report on the event, in which I get a mention, in the Lewisham & Catford News Shopper.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Irregular Mini Golf Tour TTT Classic & Rankings Update

The Irregular Mini Golf Tour welcomed its newest member yesterday, as Guildford's Oliver Florence competed against 'Squire' Richard Gottfried and Owen 'Jackpot' Johnson in the Irregular Mini Golf Tour TTT Classic.

Rank Player Score
1 Richard Gottfried 44(+8)
2 Oliver Florence 51(+15)
3 Owen Johnson 53(+17)

Irregular Mini Golf Tour Rankings Update



Key:
NM Non-Mover
NE New Entry
NL Not Listed yet this Season

Irregular Mini Golf Tour Ranking Points Calculations 2009/2010:
1st place = 100 points
2nd place = 75 points
3rd place = 50 points
Other place = 10 points

Minigolf Result - Doubles Matchplay - Team Squire vs. The Kellys

Following the Spring Classic minigolf tournament at Hither Green yesterday, Emily and I (as Team Squire) took on Tony & Adam Kelly in a Doubles Matchplay match.


In a very close match that went to the full 18-holes, it was Tony & Adam that picked up the win 2up.

Updated Minigolf Doubles Record:


Minigolf Report – Richard Gottfried runner-up in the Spring Classic competition at Hither Green

28th March 2010
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Richard Gottfried runner-up in the Spring Classic competition at Hither Green


Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried finished in 2nd place in a 17 player field in the Spring Classic minigolf tournament at the 18-hole Green Indoor Mini-Golf course in Hither Green, Lewisham on Saturday 27th March. Emily Gottfried also played and achieved 9th place.


The two-round competition was won by Canterbury’s Marc Chapman with a score of 69(-3). Richard had a 36-hole total of 87(+15) which included scores of 43(+7), and 44(+8). Emily had scores of 49(+13) and 60(+24) for a 109(+37) total.

The event took place on a new Swedish Felt Minigolf Course, one of the most challenging types of Miniature Golf course, and the only full size example of its kind in the UK. Richard’s score of 43 was also a new Personal Best on the Swedish Felt format, having previously only scored in the 50s and 60s.

Richard said “It’s brilliant to get a second place and especially pleasing considering my previous form on Swedish Felt courses. The personal best was great to get too. This is my second top ten finish in the three events I have played this season, and a great way to bounce back from my English Open finish last month. The BMGA Tour will be hosting more events at Hither Green this season so I will be looking forward to those.”


Richard is currently ranked 19th of 84 players in the 2009-2010 BMGA Order of Merit and 17th of 63 players in the 2010 BMGA Season Only Rankings. Emily is currently 42nd in the BMGA Order of Merit list. Richard is also currently ranked 31st of 255 players in the Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Rankings.

Ends

Minigolf Results - 2010 Spring Classic competition at Hither Green


Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Christopher Gottfried - Minigolf Player Profile

Miniature Golf Player Profile for Christopher Gottfried

Christopher Gottfried playing the Southsea Common Crazy Golf Course
Nickname
Bogey

Putter
Course

Laterality
Left-handed

Favourite Minigolf Balls
Yellow Ones

Minigolf Club Membership
Since-2007 - Portsmouth & Southsea Crazy Golf Club* (PSCGC)

BMGA Tournament Results

Other Tournament Results
Winner - Southsea Common Crazy Golf Classic 2011
Winner - Southsea Warrior Trail Masters 2009
Winner (Tied) - Southsea Invitational 2006
Winner (with Richard Gottfried) - SB Classic Doubles 2010
Runner-up - Amsterdam Open Championship 2017
Runner-up - Five-Course Southsea & Gosport Classic 2011
Runner-up - Southsea Pirate Masters 2010
Runner-up - Southsea Classic 2008
3rd - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour 5-Year Anniversary Tournament 2011
3rd - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Victory & Warrior Trail 5-Year Anniversary Tournament 2011
3rd - Hampshire & Isle of Wight Invitational Tournament 2008
4th - The Brewmaster's Open 2012
4th - Luton Cup 2007

BMGA Tour Rankings
BMGA Season Only Rankings - 111th - 2008

Christopher Gottfried playing the Tea Green Golf Minigolf Course in Luton
* aka the Portsmouth & Southsea Crazy Gold Club

2010 Macmillan Cancer Support Annual Bowling Challenge

The Ham & Eggers Tenpin Bowling Team will be defending their Macmillan Annual Bowling Challenge Title at Luton's Namco Station in April.

Will anyone be able to beat the Ham & Eggers this year?

More information (and a photo of last year's victors) can be found at the Macmillan Cancer Support website.

Report from the Ham & Eggers Tenpin Bowling Team's win at the 2009 Macmillan Bowling Challenge.

Minigolf & Crazy Golf Rankings Update

Having missed the last event on the British Minigolf Association Tour - the BMGA British Masters - I am now currently ranked 19th of 84 players in the 2009-10 BMGA Order of Merit and 17th of 63 players in the 2010 BMGA Season Only Rankings.

In the 2003-2009 Castle Golf World Crazy Golf Rankings I am currently ranked 31st of 255 players.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Finger Jousting Update

While away in Austria recently I happened to introduce the Sport of Finger Jousting to two new international players - one from Finland and one from Hungary.

My winning streak continues (now at 62 matches and over three years), but I did 'suffer' two draws!

Finger Jousting
Win-Loss Record
Career Win-Loss Record Stats

Played 113
Won 101
Lost 9
Tied 3
% Won 89.38%

Matches (Since Official Membership of the WFJF)
Played 99
Won 92
Lost 4
Tied 3
% Won 92.93%

Links to other Finger Jousting stories on The Ham & Egger Files:

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/11/finger-jousting-video-squire-richard-of.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/11/finger-jousting-three-years-on.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2009/11/montegue-blisters-strange-games.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/10/finger-jousting-in-news.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2008/08/finger-jousting-win-loss-record.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2007/12/gottfried-wins-gottfried-wins-gottfried.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2007/12/finger-jousting-match-of-year.html

http://hamandeggerfiles.blogspot.com/2006/12/finger-jousting.html

For more information about the noble sport of Finger Jousting head over to the World Finger Jousting Federation's website at http://www.fingerjoust.com/

Mention in a minigolf rival's blog!

I get a mention in a blog post about BMGA Tour rookie Oliver Florence's first BMGA British Masters appearance.

Click to read the story - "Florence targets home success at Masters."

Minigolf 'Links Darts' featured in We Love Darts magazine

I have had a letter & photo printed in the March 2010 issue of We Love Darts magazine about the second minigolf 'Links Darts' tournament that is planned to take place on this year's BMGA Tour!

The photo was from the Semi-final between Rich 'The Bass' Hopkins and Tim '180' Davies from their match-up after the first day's play in the 2008 BMGA British Championships of Minigolf in Hastings.



You can buy We Love Darts magazine from http://www.welovedarts.com/.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Update on Course #149 - Cae Glas Park, Oswestry - the wierdest crazy golf hole?

My fellow Minigolf Golf tourists Paul and Owen Johnson alerted me to a change in the Cae Glas Park minigolf course in Oswestry following another visit they made last week.

The 18th hole is no longer a 'plant pot' but is now a very crazy wooden box tied down with string!? Photos by Paul Johnson below:

http://twitpic.com/1a9pxm

http://twitpic.com/1a9q3k

This has got to be the wierdest hole (in both its past and present forms) in Minigolf!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Minigolf Doubles Record - Richard Gottfried Career Statistics Update


Win/Loss Record (all)

  • Played - 29
  • Won - 13
  • Lost - 14
  • Drawn - 2

Win/Loss Record (in BMGA Events)

  • Played - 13
  • Won - 7
  • Lost - 4
  • Drawn - 2


8 playing partners (current competition team mate is Kevin Moseley)

13 competitive matches

16 friendlies

22 matchplay matches

7 strokeplay format matches


Link to previous Minigolf Doubles Record blog posts.

Sunday, March 07, 2010

BMGA Minigolf Rankings - Order of Merit & Season Only Updates

With two events completed on the 2010 British Minigolf Association Tour the latest ranking lists have been published by the BMGA.

In the 2009-2010 BMGA Order of Merit Rankings published on the 1st March I am currently ranked 16th of 75 players, on 1,502 ranking points. Emily is currently in 39th place with 490 points.

In the new 2010 BMGA Season Only Rankings published today (7th March) I am currently in 12th place of 45 players, with 1,095 ranking points.

Saturday, March 06, 2010

Tenpin Bowling at 'The Lanes' in Bristol

While we were in Bristol for the Minigolf English Open last weekend we also hit 'The Lanes' tenpin bowling alley for some pre-Macmillan Cancer Support Annual Bowling Challenge practice!





I beat the 'Coach' 102 to 75.


Latest Irregular Mini Golf Tour Rankings for the 2009/10 Season - 28/11/09-27/02/10



Key:
NM Non-Mover
NE New Entry
NL Not Listed yet this Season

Irregular Mini Golf Tour Ranking Points Calculations 2009/2010:
1st place = 100 points
2nd place = 75 points
3rd place = 50 points
Other place = 10 points

Irregular Mini Golf Tour Ranking Events - Bristol (February 2010)

While in Bristol last weekend for the BMGA English Open minigolf competition I also took part in a number of side-competitions including a number of Irregular Mini Golf Tour Ranking Events at the Jungle Rumble 36-hole two-course, indoor Adventure Golf centre at Cabot Circus.

First up on the 27th February 2010 was the 'Stan Butler Invitational Tournament' on the Secret Swamp Course. In this one-round 18-hole event I faced off against four members of the London Minigolf Club, finishing in 3rd place. Full results below.

'Stan Butler Invitational Tournament'
Rank Player Score

1 Alan 'Stormin' Norman 33(-3)
2 Gareth 'Colleen' Holmes 35(-1)
3 'Squire' Richard Gottfried 37(+1)
4 Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd 38(+2)
5 Chris 'Stretch' Jones 40(+4)


Next up was the Irregular Mini Golf Tour 'Non-Scrap Iron Cup' competition, also held on the Secret Swamp Course. In this event I defeated Owen and Paul Johnson. Results below.

Irregular Mini Golf Tour 'Non-Scrap Iron Cup'
Rank Player Score

1 'Squire' Richard Gottfried 35(-1)
2 Owen 'Jackpot' Johnson 38(+2)
3 Paul 'The Overtaker' Johnson 40(+4)

The evening competitions started off on the Jungle Course with the Irregular Mini Golf Tour 'Who Knows Al Classic'. I was third. Full results below.

Irregular Mini Golf Tour 'Who Knows Al Classic'
Rank Player Score

1 John 'Thighs' Moore 27(-9)
2 Chris 'Who' Harding 34(-2)
3 'Squire' Richard Gottfried 38(+2)

The final Irregular Mini Golf Tour on the Saturday, prior to the Sunday's big event - the BMGA English Open - was the 'In the Jungle, the Mighty Jungle...Classic' competition that took place on the Secret Swamp course. I was fourth. Full results below.

Irregular Mini Golf Tour 'In the Jungle, the Mighty Jungle...Classic'
Rank Player Score

1 Marc 'The Force' Chapman 30(-6)
2 Chris 'Who' Harding 32(-4)
3 John 'Thighs' Moore 33(-3)
4 'Squire' Richard Gottfried 35(-1)


Monday, March 01, 2010

Minigolf Courses Played #161 & 162 (#207 & 208 overall) - Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf, Bristol

Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf at Cabot Circus in Bristol
On Saturday 27th February we headed to Bristol for the BMGA English Open minigolf competition at the new 36-hole two-course, indoor Adventure Golf centre at Cabot Circus.

The Jungle Rumble centre is home to two courses - the 'Jungle' and the 'Secret Swamp' - these were the 161st and 162nd courses played (and course visits 207 and 208 overall) on the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.



Video of a hole-in-one on the 'Secret Swamp' course.



The courses are good fun to play, and while there are a lot of aces to be had, some of the holes can be very tough - as I found in the English Open itself!

The course also keeps a record of Celebrities who play at the course.

Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf at Cabot Circus in Bristol
I am happy to report that I beat Carol Vorderman's score of 57 ha ha.

Check out the Jungle Rumble website for more details about the Jungle Rumble course.

X-Putt at Membury Service Station

On our way to Bristol for the BMGA English Open minigolf tournament we stopped at Membury Services.

While there I spotted an X-Putt 'Putt for Cash' Machine!




I didn't win £50.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Minigolf Report – Gottfried 24th in the BMGA English Open in Bristol

28th February 2010
Press Information
For Immediate Release

Minigolf Report – Gottfried 24th in the BMGA English Open in Bristol


Luton Minigolfer Richard Gottfried finished in 24th place in a 34 player field in the British Minigolf Association’s second tournament of the season at the English Open held at the Jungle Rumble Indoor Adventure Golf in Bristol on Sunday 28th February.

The tournament was played over three 18-hole rounds and Birmingham’s Chris Harding picked up his second consecutive win of the season with a 54-hole score of 88(-20). Richard had a three-round total of 113(+5) which included scores of 41(+5), 36(par) and 36(par).

Richard said “After my 8th place finish in the National Open in Birmingham last month I wanted to at least finish in the top ten in Bristol, but it just wasn’t to be. To say I’m disappointed with 24th place is an understatement. I had a dire first round on the Jungle Course, and my two rounds on the Secret Swamp course were only OK. I’ve got some time to practice and work on some areas of my game before the next event, and I’ll be pushing for more top ten finishes and some wins again this season.”

The first editions of the updated 2010 BMGA Tour Ranking Lists will be published this week. Last season Richard finished 8th in the Season-only Rankings, and 16th in the Order of Merit.

Ends

Sunday, February 21, 2010

No crazy golf today, so a photo from the archives instead


A course I've still not played - the Crazy Golf course at Guildford Lido. It was closed on my visit in September 2008.