Friday, November 03, 2017

Minigolf tournament results for 2017

Minigolf competition results for the 2017 season.

This year I've competed in nine minigolf tournaments on a wide-range of courses.

Richard Gottfried playing the Championship Adventure Golf course in New Brighton on National Miniature Golf Day
Playing the Championship Adventure Golf course in New Brighton on National Miniature Golf Day

My season started and finished with wins in Wales. In April I teamed-up with my friend and minigolf rival Peter Jones to compete in the American Golf Adventure Golf Pairs Championship.

Richard Gottfried and Peter Jones celebrating their big minigolf win at Clays Golf Centre in Wrexham
Me and Peter celebrating our big minigolf win at Clays Golf Centre in Wrexham

We won the Welsh Regional Qualifier in Wrexham to gain access to the Grand Final at The Belfry in September where we were runners-up.

Peter Jones making a crucial putt - as I look on - during our semi-final match in the American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Grand Final at The Belfry. The tournament will be televised on Sky Sports Golf on Tuesday 7th November
Peter Jones making a crucial putt - as I look on - during our semi-final match in the American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Grand Final at The Belfry. The tournament will be televised on Sky Sports Golf on Tuesday 7th November

The On the Buses Fan-club tournament - The Butler Cup - was also held in September and I won that event held at the Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course in Prestatyn.

Ad Burton and Richard Gottfried - the Amateur and Pro Crazy Golf champions in Prestatyn
Ad Burton and I were the Amateur and Pro Crazy Golf champions in Prestatyn

I've also hit the links for some Par-3 Miniature Golf competitions at the MiniLinks in St Anne's on the Sea. The 18-hole course hosts a Mini Major tournament each time there's a Major in big Golf.

Putting at the MiniLinks in Lytham St Annes
Putting at the MiniLinks - I've done a fair bit of pitching there this season too!

The course is also holding a Winter Trophy from November through to Febuary, so my season may not be 100% finished just yet.

Another notable result was my runner-up placing in the first Great Northern Minigolf Open held on two courses at Haigh Woodland Park in Wigan.

The top-three players at the Great Northern Minigolf Open
The top-three players at the Great Northern Minigolf Open - me, Scott Lancley and Russ Dent

Emily and I also played in the Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open competition at the brand's Manchester Trafford Centre and Cheshire Oaks courses. Unfortunately neither of us shot a low enough score to win.

Staring into the abyss at Paradise Island Adventure Golf in Cheshire Oaks
Staring into the abyss at Paradise Island Adventure Golf in Cheshire Oaks

My 2017 tournament results:

  • American Golf's Adventure Golf Pairs Championship Regional Qualifier (Wales) at Clays Golf Centre - Winner (w/ P. Jones) 
  • Great Northern Minigolf Open - Runner-up
  • MiniLinks Mini US Open (Par-3 Miniature Golf tournament debut) - T13th
  • MiniLinks Mini Open - 15th
  • Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open (Manchester) - Did not win
  • Paradise Island Adventure Golf Open (Cheshire Oaks) - Did not win
  • MiniLinks PGA Championship - T24
  • American Golf's Adventure Golf Pairs Championship National Final - Runner-up (w/ P. Jones)
  • The Butler Cup Holiday on the Buses Crazy Golf tournament - Winner


As well as competing in tournaments, Emily and I have continued our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour (up to 791 courses) and have contested a number of challenge matches along the way. Check out the great media coverage our minigolf adventures have received this year.

Emily and Richard Gottfried at the Wellholme Park Crazy Golf course in Brighouse, Yorkshire
At the Wellholme Park Crazy Golf course in Brighouse, Yorkshire. The course was the 450th we've played and 762nd visited overall on our travels

Each year there are hundreds of minigolf tournaments held around the world - from those run by world and national governing bodies, to course tournaments to club, local and independent events.

Richard Gottfried playing the Pirates Skull hole at the Rhos Fynach Crazy Golf course in Rhos on Sea on Miniature Golf Day
Playing the Pirates Skull hole at the Rhos Fynach Crazy Golf course in Rhos on Sea on Miniature Golf Day

In the coming months we'll be publishing details of events for 2018. If you know of any upcoming competitions, or are looking to organise and promote a minigolf event do get in touch.

Related blog posts:
- Competition
- Tournament
- Player Profile

Give the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour a Like on Facebook, watch our YouTube channel and follow us on Twitter @putting_gott and @Ems_Lems. Please do sign-up to receive our miniature golf newsletter too.

Thursday, November 02, 2017

Trailer Trash Jim's Crazy Golf inside Level at Preston Guild Hall

New indoor Crazy Golf course opening at Preston Guild Hall.


Part of the redevelopment of Preston Guild Hall includes the opening of a new Crazy Golf course. Trailer Trash Jim's Crazy Golf will be located on Level 1 of Level - Preston's new leisure and entertainment venue.

It sounds like a brilliant place as not only will there be an indoor Crazy Golf course on Level 1, but you can also play Laser Tag and Arcade Games. Level 2 has Ten Pin Bowling and Darts, while Level 3 of the centre is home to a Daredevil Assault Course.

Level at Preston Guild Hall opens on Friday 8th December.

Visit the Preston Guild Hall website and Level Preston on Facebook for more information.

Our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Details of our visits to hundreds of miniature golf courses.

Since 2006 Emily and I have visited more than 790 miniature golf courses around the UK and overseas on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Southend Pier Crazy Golf course
At Southend Pier Crazy Golf course - 1.3 miles out to sea!

As well as playing minigolf in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Jersey, we’ve travelled to minigolf courses in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Finland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden and the USA.

Check out the complete list of minigolf courses we've visited on our compilation blog post.

Please do get in touch to find out more about our travels and opportunities for promotion and collaboration. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and Google+. Please do also sign-up to receive our minigolf newsletter.

The smallest miniature railway?

This train ride at Pensarn Pleasure Beach in Abergele could be a contender for the title of smallest miniature railway!

Miniature railway at the Pensarn Pleasure Beach in Abergele
The train is half the length of the track!

Wednesday, November 01, 2017

The Butler Cup Holiday on the Buses Crazy Golf tournament

Part of the Holiday on the Buses Weekender in Prestatyn is a Crazy Golf tournament organised by the On the Buses Fan-club and held at the Bastion Road Crazy Golf course.

The On the Buses Fan-club at Prestatyn's Crazy Golf course
The characters of the On the Buses Fan-club

The Butler Cup tournament has two categories - Pro and Amateur - as quite a few professional minigolfers are also members of the fan-club! In 2014 Emily won the first edition to feature the Pro category. Brad Shepherd won the 2015 event, while no tournament was held in 2016.

Prestatyn's Crazy Golf course
Playing a very tough plateau obstacle

The 2017 competition took place on Sunday 24th September and saw 23 players compete in one 18-hole round shoot-out.

Prestatyn's Crazy Golf course
Chris Jones leads off the tournament

In the Butler Cup contest for Pro players staying at Pontins for the Fan-club Weekender I scored a round of 35(-1) to take the win - a far-cry from my dismal sixth place finish in 2014. Alan 'Stormin' Norman shot a 37 to take the runner-up spot, with Emily in third on 38.

The Butler Cup Champion for 2017
The Butler Cup Champion for 2017

Also competing in the Pro category were Brad 'The Fist' Shepherd who scored 39, Seth 'Wandsworth' Thomas who hit a 40 and Chris Jones who shot a 43.

The Holiday on the Buses and Prestatyn's Crazy Golf course get the thumbs-up
The Holiday on the Buses and Prestatyn's Crazy Golf course get the thumbs-up

In the Holiday on the Buses Amateur category Ad Burton took the win with a score of 49, with Paul Thompson runner-up with a round of 51.

Ad Burton and Richard Gottfried - Prestatyn's Crazy Golf Champions
Ad Burton and me - Prestatyn's Crazy Golf Champions

Local minigolf professional Peter 'The Crazy Aced Assassin' Jones shot the low score of 33 to take the overall honours on the day.

Prestatyn's Crazy Golf course
Playing hole 2

Prestatyn's Crazy Golf course
Emily on the 1st

Prestatyn's Crazy Golf course
A classic Arnold Palmer Putting Course hole and a good chance of a hole-in-one

Check out the On the Buses Fan-club's website for more information.

Related blog posts:
- Prestatyn
- On the Buses
- Holiday on the Buses
- Crazy Golf in Prestatyn

Link:
- The On the Buses Fan-club

Prestatyn Crazy Golf

A visit to the Crazy Golf course in Prestatyn.


Prestatyn Crazy Golf

On Sunday 24th September we returned to the Crazy Golf course on Bastion Road in Prestatyn.

Prestatyn Crazy Golf
A view of the course from the first tee

It's a superb 18-hole Arnold Palmer Crazy Golf course and is in great condition.

Prestatyn Crazy Golf
The course gets a big thumbs-up

Prestatyn Crazy Golf
One of the best courses in the country

The course was originally the 147th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour in 2009. We revisited the course in September 2014.

Prestatyn Crazy Golf
The flat loop on hole 18 has been replaced since our last visit

Prestatyn Crazy Golf
I won another FREE GAME on the lucky last hole

One of the additions to the brilliant venue are some new benches!

Bench at Prestatyn Crazy Golf
Having a nice sit down

Bench at Prestatyn Crazy Golf

Bench at Prestatyn Crazy Golf
  
Bench at Prestatyn Crazy Golf

We were in town and staying at the Pontins Holiday Park as part of a Holiday on the Buses Weekender. Part of the event is the annual Butler Cup Crazy Golf tournament.

Related blog posts:
- Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
- Minigolf Course Visit No. 147 - Arnold Palmer Putting at Prestatyn
- Crazy Golf in Prestatyn
- Prestatyn

Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween 2017. Have a great day.

Happy Halloween!

Related blog posts:
- Halloween
- Halloween Minigolf

Monday, October 30, 2017

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

Playing the new Adventure Golf course at Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge, Solihull.


Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

On Saturday 9th September we visited the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge to play the new 18-hole Adventure Golf course.

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge
On the 18th

It's a brilliant Harris Miniature Golf layout and it looks superb. Even though the weather had been dreadful the course still played really nicely. I shot a round of 41 (the course par is 50). Not bad considering the weather conditions. There are definitely some great hole-in-one opportunities on the course, as well as some potential pitfalls. It's a well designed course and you really need to be on top of your game for some of the second putts as the greens are fairly large for minigolf.

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge
What a lovely setting for a game of miniature golf

The course became the 770th visited and 457th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge
On the practice putting green before my round

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge
The Rules

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

Adventure Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

We've visited the Four Ashes Golf Centre a lot over the years to play tournaments on the centre's 12-hole Mini Golf course. It was originally course number 72 visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Emily and Richard Gottfried at the Adventure Golf course at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge
The Four Ashes Golf Centre was the location of our 72nd and 770th courses visits

Visit the Four Ashes Golf Centre website for more information, opening times and prices.

Related blog posts:
Crazy World of Minigolf Tour
Minigolf Course Number 72 - Dorridge
Minigolf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge
Mini Golf course at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge
Dorridge

Link:
Four Ashes Golf Centre website

Video:
- Adventure Golf at Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Mini Golf at the Four Ashes Golf Centre in Dorridge

Christmas-on-Sea

With the festive season fast approaching Southend-on-Sea has got it's Christmas lights up already. Although they're not yet lit. The 'Christmas-on-Sea' lights on the Southend Central bridge were quite eye catching.

Southend-on-Sea is Christmas-on-Sea!
Welcome to Christmas-on-Sea!

It was great to see Southend nice and busy during our all-too-brief visit over the weekend. It was the first time we've been to the seaside town and NOT had time to play any minigolf. The courses we're proving a hit with the holidaymakers, locals and day-trippers.

Related blog posts:
- Southend-on-Sea
- Christmas
- Seasides

Link:
- Christmas-on-Sea

The A-Team - tile company in Belfast and Lisburn

Spotting the bootleg A-Team van in Southend on Sea reminded me of this superb knock-off we spotted in Belfast way back in 2010. There's so much to like about the vehicle and its signage!

Not The A-Team's van!
The people behind this van's paint job must've been rascals!

Related blog posts:
- The A-Team
- Bootlegs

The 'A-Team's' van in Southend

We were down in Southend-on-Sea at the weekend and while having a wander along Marine Parade we spotted a bootleg A-Team van at one of the amusement arcades.

The 'A-Team's' van in Southend
What's a 'B-Staf'!?

It's not the first bootleg A-Team van we've seen on our travels either!

Related blog posts:
- I love it when a bootleg comes together
- Amusement Arcades
- Bootlegs
- Southend

Chip mascot in Southend

The 'Chip shop mascot man who is eating himself' at Southend's Adventure Island Theme Park has had a bit of a paint job since we saw him last year.

The 'Chip shop mascot man who is eating himself' at Southend's Adventure Island Theme Park
He used to be blue

The cannibal chip man was blue when we saw him - and a number of hot dog mascots - last July.

The 'Chip shop mascot man who is eating himself' at Southend's Adventure Island Theme Park