London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club

Report from the Minigolfer's Christmas 'Do' 2014.

Crazy Skittlers

This year our annual festive jaunt took us to The Freemasons Arms, home to London's last remaining Skittle Alley and the historic Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club.

Emily playing London Skittles

After reading about the game some years ago and a visit to the pub after a Hopping tournament in 2012 we made the booking to play a game of London Skittles in the basement alley for our Christmas tournament.

Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd launches into action

With reigning champion Emily leading one team and multiple-time former winner of Christmas shenanigans Brad captaining the other the other players were picked by number before we got straight into playing.

'Squire' Richard throwing a little off course

Emily led the proceedings and with a choice of three different 'cheeses' stepped up and scored an end of 5 with her three goes to get the competition underway.

A pair of 'Cheeses'

The winner's of the team tournament were 'Lemony's Lobbers' who defeated 'Team Frugal' with a scoreline of 178 to 176!

Lemony's Lobbers - 2014 Christmas 'Do' Champions. From l-r Jon Angel, Steve Gow, Alan Norman, John Moore, Emily Gottfried, Richard Gottfried

This year's losers and runners-up, Team Frugal. From l-r Paul O'Connor, Chris Jones, Brad Shepherd, Trevor 'Lord of Smeeth' Robertson, Richard Linden, Seth Thomas

The overall individual was once again Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd with a total of 44, having been the only player to score a double-digit end in the two-hour tournament. Newcastle's John Moore and Surrey's Steve Gow tied for second.

The Big Cheese - Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd

Baby Bel - Alan 'Stormin' Norman

Our instructor for the evening, Pete, was a great coach and referee giving us plenty of hints & tips and history of the game and venue. We also learned some of the terminology of the game for good shots, bad shots, pin layouts and more.

The final scores

We'd definitely play again and recommend London Skittles at the Freemasons Arms as a great night out.

The Freemasons Arms, Hampstead

Check out the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club website for more information on London Skittles and for booking enquiries, as well as some videos showing the game as it was in the 1930's and as it is now.

The Lawn Billiards game that forms part of the club's name is a long extinct sport, but you can still view Lawn Billiards artifacts in the club's alley.

While one team is throwing, two of the opposing team's players act as pin setters and cheese returners

Emily readying herself for a lob

Richard preparing for a shot

John Moore getting in the swing

Five scored

Pin setting and cheese rolling

Chris 'Stretch' Jones on a leisurely stroll up the alley

Trevino in action

Big Al in full flight

Jon Angel with a great shot up the middle

  

Alan 'Stormin' Norman throwing a cheese

London Skittles team competition results

London Skittles individual competition results

Minigolfer's Christmas Shenanigans Hall of Fame
2014 - Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd - London Skittles Individual Championship
2014 - Lemony's Lobbers (Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried, Alan 'Stormin' Norman, John 'Big Al' Moore, Jon 'Occasional' Angel, 'Big' Stevie Gow) - London Skittles Team Championship
2013 – Emily ‘Lemony’ Gottfried – World Boules Le Noël Champignonship
2012 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Riverclose Worlds UnProfessional Minigolfer's Darts Championship
2011 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Rivernear Worlds Professional Crazy Golfers Darts Championships
2010 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Christmas Minigolf 9-Hole Putting Green Sudden Death Challenge
2010 – Keith 'Doc' Kellard & Jon 'El Pato' Angel (Team KJ Choice) – Sim BIG Golf Par-3's of the World Doubles Challenge
2009 – Brad ‘The Fist’ Shepherd – Christmas-themed Crazy Golf at Devonshire Square
Before Records Began – Lionel ‘The Spoon’ Bender – Crazy Golf Contest

Links
- London Skittles at the Hampstead Lawn Billiard and Skittle Club
- London Skittles on Facebook
- The Freemasons Arms, Hampstead

Related blog posts:
- Report from the Minigolfer’s Annual Christmas Shenanigans ‘Do’ in London 2013
- The Minigolfer’s Annual Christmas Darts ‘Do’ 2012 in London
- Crazy Golfers Christmas 'Do' in London 2011 - Darts Tournament at Rileys Victoria!
- The Minigolfers Christmas 'Do' 2010
- 2009 Christmas Crazy Golf Challenge at Devonshire Square
- A London Pub & Jumble Sale Crawl
- Another New Game Played - Northamptonshire Skittles
- Behold...
- Tenpin Bowling

Gluten free beer at The King and Queen pub in Fitzrovia

Spotting gluten free beers available at The King & Queen pub in London.

While on a recent evening out in London Emily spotted that The King and Queen Pub in Fitzrovia serves gluten free beer.

Green's gluten free beers and Crop Circle by Hop Back Brewery are available at The King & Queen pub in Fitzrovia

After seeing the chalkboard advertising the beers Emily asked behind the bar and was shown the row of Green's Beers and Crop Circle by Hop Back Brewery.

The bar staff opened up the fridge so Emily could take this photo of the gluten free beers available. Green's beers and Crop Circle are on the bottom shelf

Great to know there's another pub serving gluten free beer.

Links:
- The King and Queen Pub
- Green's Beers
- Crop Circle

Related blog posts:
- Gluten free Ale, Beer and Lager

- Coeliac

- Gluten Free

End of minigolf season report for 2014

Details of Richard and Emily Gottfried's participation in the 2014 minigolf season.

Luton Minigolfers Emily and Richard Gottfried completed the 2014 minigolf season with a visit to the Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon for the CEMGC Invitational Tournament on Saturday 6 December.

Luton minigolfers Richard and Emily Gottfried at the Dunton Hills miniature golf course in Essex

In the five-player event Emily scored rounds of 50 and 49 to tie with local competitor Chris Wood on a score of 99. In the four-hole cumulative score play-off Emily won with a score of 9 to Wood’s 13. Richard had led the contest after round one, but a round of 59 saw him finish in fourth place.

Emily putting on her way to victory in the season-ending CEMGC Invitational Tournament in Essex

Richard completed the British Minigolf Association’s season with an 11th place finish in the Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open that saw 26-players compete on the 18-hole Adventure Golf course in Hastings. Richard scored rounds of 40 and 42 for a total of 82(+10).

Richard in action at the CEMGC Invitational in Essex

The pair also recently participated in the Surrey Invitational Tournament played at Hoebridge Golf Centre in Woking and Horton Park Golf Club in Epsom. The 36-hole event was won by Woking’s Matt Dodd. Richard was the runner-up, with Emily in third-place.

Richard at the Jungle Island Adventure Golf course in Epsom

Richard said “It’s been a good minigolf season and we’ve played some fun events. Emily has had a very strong year and won some great titles. I’m happy to have finished ranked 12th in the UK and I’m looking forward to competing as part of the rejuvenated Midlands Minigolf Club in the 2015 season.”

Richard playing the Strokes Adventure Golf course in Margate

Emily said “It has been an interesting season. I have won some brilliant titles and taken part in some amazing tournaments. I’ve had a lot of fun along the way and hope to keep it up during 2015.”

Emily in action at the Midlands Open at Dorridge

Richard once again ended the year inside the top-16 in the country with a 12th place ranking of 105 places (161 players) in the BMGA Strokeplay Order of Merit. Emily reached a career-high end of season ranking, finishing 29th.

Richard at the World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings

In the BMGA Matchplay Order of Merit Rankings Emily finished in tied 20th place of 55 players, Richard was 38th.

Emily playing hole 17 at Strokes Adventure Golf in Margate

In the BMGA Season Only Rankings Emily finished 21st of 91 players, Richard was ranked in 25th position.

Richard at the BMGA British Masters at Splash Point Mini Golf in Worthing

The BMGA Season Only Rankings also contained a team listing. Richard is a member of the Midlands Minigolf Club that was ranked 2nd of five clubs. Emily and her Cambridgeshire & Essex Mini Golf Club team-mates finished the year in 4th place.

Emily won The Gommery trophy for most aces at this year's World Crazy Golf Championships in Hastings

Richard and Emily are both listed in the World Minigolf Sport Federation's General Class rankings. In the women's rankings Emily is in tied 120th position of 128 places (132 players). In the men's rankings Richard is ranked in tied 397th place of 413 places (419 players).

International Minigolfers Emily and Richard Gottfried on GB duty in Sweden in 2011

Worldwide the WMF has 46 member nations, with over 38,000 Minigolf players, 1,000 courses approved for competitions, 900 clubs and over 1,500 Minigolf tournaments held each year.

CEMGC Invitational Minigolf Tournament

Results of the CEMGC Invitational Minigolf Tournament at the Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in Essex.

CEMGC Invitational Tournament winner Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried receives her prize from Mark 'The Natural' Wood

On Saturday 6 December 2014 Emily Gottfried won the first-ever CEMGC Invitational Minigolf Tournament in a five-player Pro contest.

The Cambridgeshire & Essex Mini Golf Club members line-up at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre. From l-r Adrian Amey, Chris Wood, Mark Wood, Emily Gottfried

The contest was held over two 18-hole rounds on the tough layout at the Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon, Brentwood, Essex with players from the Cambridgeshire & Essex Mini Golf Club taking part along with Richard Gottfried of the Midlands Minigolf Club. Each competitor used a Golf ball in the event, with Emily winning using a Putter King ball.

Emily Gottfried playing in the CEMGC Invitational Tournament

Emily scored rounds of 50 and 49 for a total of 99, with Chris Wood also scoring a 99 to join the sub-100 club after rounds of 51 and 48. Wood's second round also included the tournament's only hole-in-one.

Chris Wood playing in the CEMGC Invitational Tournament

The title was decided by a four-hole cumulative score play-off, with holes 1, 2, 8 and 9 used to decide the winner. Emily shot a total of 9, with Chris scoring 13.

Emily Gottfried and Chris Wood on the 8th hole in the play-off at the CEMGC Invitational Tournament

After her victory Emily said "I am, of course, ecstatic to win the first CEMGC Invitational Tournament. Its a really enjoyable course, and playing on a bright, if chilly day, with a great group of my club-mates and the guest competitor, was brilliant. Although the holes are long and there are some very tricky greens, I liked it. Playing somewhere new and individual was fun. Congrats to Chris 'Bunker' Wood on coming in with a 99, but commiserations for losing the play-off."

Richard said "I enjoyed competing in the CEMGC Invitational Tournament and while the Dunton Hills miniature golf course is incredibly tough, it was still great fun. Well done to Emily on her well deserved win and thanks to the Cambridgeshire & Essex Mini Golf Club for organising the event."

With a total length of 734 feet, including a 62ft long 17th hole the Dunton Hills Miniature Golf course saw players battling for twos in the frosty conditions.

Mark Wood launches a shot at the CEMGC Invitational

Adrian Amey playing the 9th hole during round two of the CEMGC Invitational

The course record was set at 48 by Richard Gottfried during round one, with Chris Wood equaling the score in round two.

Guest player Richard Gottfried of the MMGC plays at the CEMGC Invitational

Round one leaderboard:
- Richard Gottfried - 48
- Chris Wood - 49
- Emily Gottfried - 50
- Chris Wood - 51
- Adrian Amey - 61

The 2014 CEMGC Invitational Champion Emily Gottfried

Final results:
1. Emily Gottfried - 50 & 49 = 99* won four-hole play-off
2. Chris Wood - 51 & 48 = 99
3. Mark Wood - 49 & 56 = 105
4. Richard Gottfried - 48 & 59 = 107
5. Adrian Amey - 61 & 58 = 119

Links:
- Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre website
- Cambridgeshire & Essex Mini Golf Club on Facebook
- CEMGC Invitational event result, report, photos and update on the CEMGC Facebook page
- CMGC website

Related blog posts:
- Minigolf at Dunton Hills Golf Course in Essex
- Playing the Dunton Hills Miniature Golf Course in West Horndon, Essex
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf in Essex
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - List and links for all Miniature Golf courses visited to date

Minigolf at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in Essex

A revisit to the miniature golf course in West Horndon.

A view of the miniature golf course and clubhouse at the Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon, Essex

On Saturday 6 December Emily and I headed to the 18-hole minigolf course at the Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon, near Brentwood, Essex where we would be competing in the first CEMGC Invitational competition.

Emily putting during the CEMGC Invitational Tournament

We first visited and played the 18-hole course in July 2012 when it became the 299th played and 499th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Playing minigolf at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre

It's a very tough layout, with some incredibly tricky second (and third!) putts on the big greens. The holes vary in length from 27 to 62 feet!

On our visit in 2012 I scored a 48 (Out in 24, In in 24), with Emily scoring 51 (Out in 27, In in 24). On this occasion playing in the CEMGC Invitational Tournament Emily won the two round contest with scores of 50 and 49, while I shot a course record 48 (once again Out in 24, In in 24), followed by a 59 to finish fourth in the five-player Pro contest.

The minigolf putting course is great value at £3 for adults and £2 for juniors.

As well as the miniature golf course Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre is home to an 18-hole Golf course, driving range, bar and restaurant and meeting rooms. For more information check out the Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre website.

The Dunton Hills Miniature Golf course

Links:
- Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre website
- Cambridgeshire & Essex Mini Golf Club on Facebook
- CEMGC Invitational event result, report, photos and update on the CEMGC Facebook page
- CMGC website

Related blog posts:
- CEMGC Invitational Minigolf Tournament

- Playing the Dunton Hills Miniature Golf Course in West Horndon, Essex

- Minigolf and Crazy Golf in Essex
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - List and links for all Miniature Golf courses visited to date

UrbanCrazy Mini Golf at a wedding

Playing an UrbanCrazy minigolf hole at a wedding aboard the HMS President on the River Thames!

Minigolf aboard the HMS President

Last week (on the 5th of Kislev 5775!) Emily and I attended the wedding of our friends Jon & Cheryl as they tied the knot aboard the HMS President moored on the River Thames in London.

Jon is a BIG minigolf fan, veteran of many a tournament and a Great Britain international. He also runs UrbanCrazy and to entertain guests at the reception they had a minigolf hole set-up with a wedding cake obstacle and photo-walls to hinder players.

Putting on the UrbanCrazy minigolf hole at the wedding 'do'

The UrbanCrazy minigolf layout for Jon & Cheryl Angel's big day

I had a putting shootout against veteran player Lionel 'The Spoon' Bender that I think ended in a tie. neither of us got a hole-in-one, that I remember.

A lot of people are hiring minigolf and crazy golf courses for their wedding receptions. The layout at Jon and Cheryl's 'do' had lots of partygoers having a putt. As the UrbanCrazy portable courses are modular I noticed that some of the guests had been having a go at re-arranging the hole too.

Emily lines up a shot on the UrbanCrazy minigolf hole

The course was the 354th played and 588th visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour since September 2006 and was certainly unique!

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- UrbanCrazy
- Minigolf and Crazy Golf courses in and around London

Links:
- UrbanCrazy
- UrbanCrazy on Twitter
- HMS President
- The UrbanCrazy World Of Miniature Golf
- UrbanCrazy says “I do”
- #purpleweddingonaboat

End of 2014 minigolf season BMGA rankings

National Strokeplay Order of Merit and Season Only ranking updates from the British Minigolf Association at the end of the 2014 season.

The official British minigolf rankings have been updated following the Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open tournament.

Playing minigolf in Hastings during the final weekend of the 2014 BMGA Tour season

There were eleven strokeplay ranking competitions in the 2014 season. I competed in nine of the events, with Emily competing in six of the tournaments.

Emily and I also competed in the BMGA British Doubles Championship, which counted towards the national matchplay Order of Merit. We were unable to play in the BMGA British Matchplay Championships this year.

Richard Gottfried's rankings in the Strokeplay Order of Merit for the 2013/14 season:
- Following the BMGA Star City Open - 12th of 74 places (135 players)
- Following the BMGA Star City Open & AGM changes - 11th of 79 places (135 players)
- Following the BMGA British Masters - 7th of 84 places (137 players)
- Following the BMGA British Championships - 10th of 85 places (138 players)
- Following the Splash Point Open - 11th of 85 places (138 players)
- Following the Midlands Open - 10th of 86 places (140 players)
- Following the BMGA Players Championship and BMGA British Open - 8th of 88 places (142 players)
- Following the BMGA English Open - 8th of 91 places (147 players)
- Following the World Crazy Golf Championships - 11th of 101 places (157 players)
- Following the Kent Open - 12th of 104 places (160 players)
- Following the Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open - 12th of 105 places (161 players)

Emily had a great season in 2014 with a career high end of season ranking in the BMGA Strokeplay Order of Merit

Emily Gottfried's rankings in the Strokeplay Order of Merit for the 2013/14 season:
- Following the BMGA Star City Open - 42nd of 74 places (135 players)
- Following the BMGA Star City Open & AGM changes - 34th of 79 places (135 players)
- Following the BMGA British Masters - 26th of 84 places (137 players)
- Following the BMGA British Championships - 21st of 85 places (138 players)
- Following the Splash Point Open - 21st of 85 places (138 players)
- Following the Midlands Open - 21st of 86 places (140 players)
- Following the BMGA Players Championship and BMGA British Open - 26th of 88 places (142 players)
- Following the BMGA English Open - 26th of 91 places (147 players)
- Following the World Crazy Golf Championships - 28th of 101 places (157 players)
- Following the Kent Open - 29th of 104 places (160 players)
- Following the Planet Hastings Crazy Golf Club Open - 29th of 105 places (161 players)

In the BMGA Season Only Rankings at the end of the 2014 season Emily finished 21st of 91 players, I was ranked in 25th position.

The BMGA Season Only Rankings also contain a team listing. I am a member of the Midlands Minigolf Club that is ranked 2nd of five clubs. Emily is a member of the Cambridgeshire & Essex Mini Golf Club that finished the year in 4th place.

The BMGA's season-ending British Club Championships was abandoned due to weather on the 23 November.

In the BMGA Matchplay Order of Merit Rankings Emily finished the 2014 season tied in 20th place of 55 players, I was 38th.

We are both listed in the World Minigolf Sport Federation's General Class rankings. In the women's rankings Emily is in tied 120th position of 128 places (132 players). In the men's rankings I am ranked in tied 397th place of 413 places (419 players).

Worldwide there are over 38,000 Minigolf players registered with the WMF, 1,000 courses approved for competitions, 900 clubs and over 1,500 Minigolf tournaments held each year.

Related blog posts:
- Rankings
- Richard Gottfried's Minigolf Player Profile
- Emily Gottfried's Minigolf Player Profile
- World Minigolf Rankings for 2014

Links:
- British Minigolf Association (BMGA)
- BMGA on Facebook
- BMGA on Twitter
- World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF)
- WMF on Facebook
- WMF on Twitter

Dinner at Vozars gluten free restaurant in Brixton

Enjoying a three-course gluten & wheat free meal at the Spiced Winter Warmer event at Vozars restaurant.

Emily and I enjoying dining at Vozars restaurant in Brixton Village Market as it offers great food and drink - and is safe and suitable for coeliac diners as the menu is all gluten and wheat free!

My first turkey dinner of the festive season

Being on the Vozars mailing list and keeping an eye on what they are up to on Twitter and Facebook we heard about the Spiced Winter Warmer event taking place and decided to treat ourselves to a 'festive season' meal.

Once again the food and service was excellent. Check out the photos for a view of two of the six dishes we had (between us). To get an idea of the taste and smell you'll have to go along yourself.

Emily was pleased with the risotto cake

An excellent chocolate pudding for dessert 

I really enjoyed the duck carpaccio as a starter and Emily had a risotto cake (ball!) with grilled mushrooms and salad. The risotto cake had a great crispy coating.

For main I had the confit turkey breast with traditional Czech Christmas stuffing, cranberry sauce and the yellowest sweet potato mash I have ever seen! Emily had the ham hock cooked in shallots and horseradish served with butternut squash and a chilli and apple compote.

The desserts were brilliant. Although the Chocolate pudding defeated me, enabling Emily to have some of it too. It was served with Celia caramel and Crème Anglaise. Emily tells me the berry crumble with cinnamon ice cream was great too. I was too full to try any.

Of course the meal went very well with a Celia lager or two.

As well as lunch and dinner, Vozars has a number of special pop-up events throughout the year, and you can also pop in to grab a cake or savoury snack to takeaway.

The 2014 Christmas menu at Vozars begins today (3 December) and one of the dishes is a beer battered cod! One of my favourite dishes.

Visit the Vozars website and Twitter feed and keep up-to-date with Vozars and Celia Lager via Facebook and Twitter for news, events and competitions.

Links:

- Vozars Cafe Deli Restaurant

- Celia Lager

Related blog posts:
- Vozars Gluten Free Cafe Deli Restaurant in Brixton Village Market

- Celia Lager

- Gluten Free

Sunny Worthing's 'Sunniest Leisure and Tourism 2014' Award

Vote for Splash Point Mini Golf in the Sunny Worthing 'Sunniest Leisure and Tourism 2014' Awards.

The excellent 18-hole Splash Point Mini Golf course in Denton Gardens, Worthing is in the running to win the Sunny Worthing Award for 'Sunniest Leisure and Tourism Attraction' in the seaside resort's 2014 awards.

Splash Point Mini Golf at Worthing's Denton Gardens in April 2014

Voting ends on 31 December 2014. You can vote for your favourite leisure and tourism attraction in Worthing on the Sunniest Leisure and Tourism 2014 Awards voting website.

Splash Point Mini Golf is one of my favourite courses and I always enjoy a trip to the town to have a round on the course. We've visited Worthing quite a lot over the last few years and it's all because of Splash Point Mini Golf.

Playing hole 13 at Worthing's Splash Point Mini Golf during the 2014 BMGA British Masters tournament

Links:
- Sunniest Leisure and Tourism 2014 Awards voting website
- Sunny Worthing website
- Splash Point Mini Golf website
- Splash Point Mini Golf on Twitter

Related blog posts:
- Splash Point Mini Golf in Worthing - Crazy World of Minigolf Tour - Course Visit #181
- Worthing Splash Point Minigolf - Course Revisit - May 2011
- Worthing