Tuesday, November 07, 2017

Ryder Legends Mini Golf at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield

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


Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield

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

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
Playing hole 3 (inspired by the 17th at Kiawah Island)

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

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield

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

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield

The Ryder Legends Mini Golf course was the 456th course played and 768th visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. You can see photos of the holes below and videos of the 12-holes on our YouTube Channel (123456789101112).

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
The Rules

Photos of the Ryder Legends Mini Golf course.

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
Hole 1 - Inspired by the 17th at Valderrama 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
You need to play around the tree 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
A view back to the tee 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
Hole 2 - Inspired by the 18th at Wentworth 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
A tough hole to score a two on

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
Not easy at all 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
Hole 3 - Inspired by the 17th at Kiawah Island 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
The longest hole on the course 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
Hole 4 - Inspired by the 13th at Valhalla 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
You need to play a nicely paced tee-shot on this hole 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
Hole 5 - Inspired by the 9th at Royal Lytham & St Annes 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
The pipes aren't as easy to putt into as they look! 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
Hole 6 - Inspired by the 16th at Royal Birkdale 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
A long and uphill shot 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
It is aceable though 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
Hole 7 - Spiral Fun Hole

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
A good chance for a hole in one - or a tricky second putt 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
Hole 8 - U-Bend Fun Hole

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
An ace opportunity

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
Hole 9 - Inspired by the 5th at Pinehurst 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
A good two

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
Hole 10 - Up and Over Fun Hole 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
A good chance for a hole in one 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
Hole 11 - Inspired by the 10th at The Belfry

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
The potential round-wrecker 

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
Many teams fell foul of the ditch on this hole

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
A tough green to reach

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
Hole 12 - Inspired by the 15th at PGA National

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry in Sutton Coldfield
The last hole to play is a fairly long one

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course scorecard

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

Ryder Legends Mini Golf course scorecard

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

A pre-match interview with Sky Sports presenter Gemma Care
A pre-match interview with Sky Sports presenter Gemma Care

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

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

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

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

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

Videos:
- Playing the Ryder Legends Mini Golf course at The Belfry - hole 123456789101112

Monday, November 06, 2017

Cycle Speedway in Stockport

Finding out about the Cycle Speedway track in Stockport.

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

Cycle Speedway at the British Veterans over 50s and over 60s Individual Championships in Redbraes Park, Edinburgh
Cycle Speedway action in Edinburgh

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

Cycle Speedway track at St Thomas' Recreation Ground in Stockport

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

Cycle Speedway track at St Thomas' Recreation Ground in Stockport

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

Cycle Speedway track at St Thomas' Recreation Ground in Stockport

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

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

Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean

Playing the Crazy Golf course at Krazy Golf Lydney.


Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean

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

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

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

Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean
There's plenty to do at Krazy Golf Lydney

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

Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean
This wavy wooden ramp was a tricky hole to play

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

Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean
Hole 1 has a Paintball Combat theme!

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

Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean
Another look at the wavy wooden hole

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

Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean
We had a hoot playing at Krazy Golf Lydney

Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean
A railway hole!

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

Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean
I got past the four gates in one go. The second putt was a longish one though

Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean
Through a maze

Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean
Emily's shots were on target

Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean
There wasn't much room to manouevre for your second shots on this hole

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

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

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

Foot Pool at Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean
This was the second version of Foot Pool we'd seen on our recent travels. The first was at Pontins Prestatyn Sands

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

Crazy Golf Pool at Krazy Golf Lydney in the Forest of Dean
Crazy Golf Pool - another new game played on our adventures

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

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

Link:
- Krazy Golf Lydney website

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners of the American Golf Adventure Golf Welsh Regional Qualifier

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

Inflatable advertising at Toyota in Stockport

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

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

Inflatable advertising at Toyota in Stockport
What a sight!

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

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