Sunday, May 10, 2020

The 2008 Minigolf Nations Cup

A look back at the 2008 Nations Cup of Minigolf in Finland.



2008 Nations Cup of Minigolf in Finland

We made our Great Britain team debuts at the 2008 Nations Cup of Minigolf in Tampere, Finland twelve years ago today!

The GB team playing the Beton Concrete Minigolf course in Tampere, Finland
The GB team playing the Beton Concrete Minigolf course in Tampere, Finland

In international action on the Eternit Miniature Golf course

Our Great Britain Minigolf team, sponsored by UrbanCrazy, finished the tournament in 13th place. In the individual rankings I finished in 51st place and Emily was 53rd.

The 2008 Great Britain squad - Jouni Valkjarvi (coach), John 'Big Top Ted' McIver, Marion 'Mation' Homer, Sean 'Freebird' Homer, Tim 'Ace Man' Davies, Steve 'F1' Gow, Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, Andy 'Sarge' Booth, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried
The 2008 Great Britain squad - Jouni Valkjarvi (coach), John 'Big Top Ted' McIver, Marion 'Mation' Homer, Sean 'Freebird' Homer, Tim 'Ace Man' Davies, Steve 'F1' Gow, Emily 'Lemony' Gottfried, Andy 'Sarge' Booth, 'Squire' Richard Gottfried

Richard Gottfried's player card at the 2008 Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland

Emily Gottfried's player card at the 2008 Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland

We've also played for the national team in tournaments in Stockholm, Sweden and Hastings, England.

Receiving some tips on the Middle Hill Eternit Miniature Golf hole from Crazy Golf legend Tim 'Ace Man' Davies
Receiving some tips on the Middle Hill Eternit Miniature Golf hole from Crazy Golf legend Tim 'Ace Man' Davies


Manse Ratagolf in Tampere, Finland

Saturday, May 09, 2020

Happy National Windmill Day

Today is National Windmill Day.


In addition to it being National Miniature Golf Day, today is also National Windmill Day.

Playing a windmill hole in Skegness on a previous National Miniature Golf Day
Playing a windmill hole in Skegness on a previous National Miniature Golf Day

The two things very often go hand-in-hand.

The windmill hole on the grass putting miniature golf course at the Palm Bay Café in Cliftonville, Margate back in 2007
The windmill hole on the grass putting miniature golf course at the Palm Bay Café in Cliftonville, Margate back in 2007
 
Playing the windmill hole on the Crazy Golf course at Penwith Pitch & Putt in Cornwall
Playing the windmill hole on the Crazy Golf course at Penwith Pitch & Putt in Cornwall 

Emily playing a windmill hole at the Rhos Fynach Crazy Golf course on Miniature Golf Day in 2017
Emily playing a windmill hole at the Rhos Fynach Crazy Golf course on Miniature Golf Day in 2017

National Windmill Day is a holiday in the Netherlands and actually takes place over two days on the second Saturday and Sunday in May.

A Dutch-themed hole at Glo-Golf indoor Crazy Golf at the Riverside Bowl in Andover
A Dutch-themed hole at Glo-Golf indoor Crazy Golf at the Riverside Bowl in Andover

Related blog posts:
- Windmills

National Miniature Golf Day

A look at a pair of National Miniature Golf Day posters.


A few years ago I spotted these two posters for National Miniature Golf Day on Twitter and Facebook.


The posters use one of my photos taken during the National Miniature Golf Day competition we played at the Pebble Beach Adventure Golf course in Skegness in May 2015.

National Miniature Golf Day at the Pebble Beach Adventure Golf course in Skegness
National Miniature Golf Day at the Pebble Beach Adventure Golf course in Skegness

Happy National Miniature Golf Day

Today is National Miniature Golf Day.


It's certainly a different one to normal.

Playing the Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Skegness on National Miniature Golf Day during a minigolf weekender in 2015
Playing the Arnold Palmer Putting Course in Skegness on National Miniature Golf Day during a minigolf weekender in 2015

Are you Putting at Home to celebrate?

Emily playing the Stoke Park Minigolf course in Guildford during the Report from the Surrey Invitational Minigolf Tournament on National Miniature Golf Day 2016
Emily playing the Stoke Park Minigolf course in Guildford during the Report from the Surrey Invitational Minigolf Tournament on National Miniature Golf Day 2016

However you're marking the occasion stay safe and be well.

Playing the Championship Adventure Golf course in New Brighton on National Miniature Golf Day 2017
Playing the Championship Adventure Golf course in New Brighton on National Miniature Golf Day 2017

Two days to celebrate



There are two 'official' days each year to celebrate Miniature Golf. The first of these is National Miniature Golf Day and falls on the second Saturday in May. The second of these is Miniature Golf Day and is always on the 21st of September.

Playing the Pirate Cove Adventure Golf course in Aberavon, Port Talbot on National Miniature Golf Day last year
Playing the Pirate Cove Adventure Golf course in Aberavon, Port Talbot on National Miniature Golf Day last year

Happy National Train Day

Today is National Train Day.


Riding a little train at Falkirk High railway station in 2014
Riding a little train at Falkirk High railway station in 2014

Weston Miniature Railway in Weston-Super-Mare
At Putters End station on the now gone Weston Miniature Railway in Weston-Super-Mare

Weston Miniature Railway in Weston-Super-Mare
One the wrong side of the tracks

Miniature Golf at the Weston Miniature Railway in Weston-Super-Mare
Playing a miniature golf course inside the loop of the old miniature railway in Weston-Super-Mare

National Train Day was created by Amtrak in 2008 (and discontinued in 2016). It was observed on the Saturday closest to the 10th May.

Related blog posts:
- Train
- Trains
- Miniature Railways

Friday, May 08, 2020

Crazy Golf at the Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley, Southampton.

A look at the Crazy Golf course at Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley, Southampton.


Crazy Golf at the Royal Victoria Country Park in Netley, Southampton.

We played the course last May.


The 9-hole course was the 879th visited and 512th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Happy National Miniature Golf Day Eve

It's National Miniature Golf Day Eve.


Last year I was preparing for a trip down to the South Wales coast and a visit to the Pirate Cove Adventure Golf course in Aberavon, Port Talbot for a weekend of minigolf action with the Welsh Minigolf Club.

Hole 12 of the Pirate Cove Adventure Golf course in Aberavon, Port Talbot
Hole 12 of the Pirate Cove Adventure Golf course in Aberavon, Port Talbot

Related blog posts:

- National Miniature Golf Day
- Aberavon

Thursday, May 07, 2020

Tidal Bay Crazy Adventure Golf in Sherfield on Loddon

A look at the Tidal Bay Crazy Adventure Golf course in Sherfield on Loddon, Hampshire.


Tidal Bay Crazy Adventure Golf in Sherfield on Loddon

We played there a year ago today.


The course at Wyevale Garden Centre was the 515th we played and the 883rd visited overall on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. It was the 845th course visited in the British Isles.

Old photo of people playing Crazy Golf

An old photo of people playing Crazy Golf (circa 2019).

The Masters Putting Green in Southport on Miniature Golf Day, 21st September 2019
The Masters Putting Green in Southport

An old postcard from Bridlington

A look at an old miniature golf postcard from Bridlington.

One of the old postcards I found at the last postcard fair I attended before the pandemic lockdown was this one showing Bridlington Princes Parade and The Spa Boating Lake. It was published by Photochrom Co. Ltd. and is unposted and undated.

Bridlington Princes Parade. The Spa Boating Lake. Photochrom Co. Ltd.
Bridlington Princes Parade. The Spa Boating Lake. Photochrom Co. Ltd.

I'd guess that it's from the late 1920's or early 1930's.

Interestingly the minigolf course being played looks to be a portable layout.

Portable and pop-up minigolf courses are very often seen as a modern thing. However there have been a number of seasonal set-ups at seaside locations over the years.

We've really enjoyed our visits to Bridlington. It's a nice seaside town and we've had some fun games of minigolf there. One of those was a temporary course at the Foreshore Sands.

Foreshore Sands Crazy Golf course in Bridlington

Bridgehall BMX Track in Stockport

I found a BMX track on my daily walk yesterday.


At the Bridgehall BMX Track in Stockport

It's only 5 minutes away from my house too!

Amazing.

It's hidden in plain sight if you know where to look.

And there's me thinking I'd explored all of my local area!

Wednesday, May 06, 2020

A Putting Green postcard from Butlin's Luxury Holiday Camp in Pwllheli

A look at a nice old Putting Green postcard from the Butlin's Luxury Holiday Camp in Pwllheli.


Putting Green, Butlin's Luxury Holiday Camp, Pwllheli. Published by Butlin's Photographic Services Ltd. Postally used on 4th June 1951
Putting Green, Butlin's Luxury Holiday Camp, Pwllheli. Published by Butlin's Photographic Services Ltd. Postally used on 4th June 1951

This is the oldest postcard I have showing the Putting Green at Butlin's Pwllheli. The other cards I have were posted in 1964 and 1966.

Butlin's Pwllheli opened in 1947 and closed in 1998.

Tuesday, May 05, 2020

Moroccan Adventure Golf at Pleasure Land in Southport

A look at the old Moroccan Adventure Golf course at Pleasure Land in Southport.

Moroccan Adventure Golf at Pleasure Land in Southport

Back in September 2009 we visited Southport for the first time. It was the last Friday of the summer season but Pleasure Land had closed down so we weren't able to play the Moroccan-themed Adventure Golf layout.

Moroccan Adventure Golf at Pleasure Land in Southport

Moroccan Adventure Golf at Pleasure Land in Southport

Moroccan Adventure Golf at Pleasure Land in Southport

It's one of my favourite lost minigolf courses as it had a theme we hadn't seen before and haven't seen since.

Moroccan Adventure Golf at Pleasure Land in Southport

Moroccan Adventure Golf at Pleasure Land in Southport

Moroccan Adventure Golf at Pleasure Land in Southport
  
Moroccan Adventure Golf at Pleasure Land in Southport

We returned to Southport Pleasureland when we moved north in 2016. On that trip in October we were please to see the park open and thriving. It had also declared itself the 'Happy Halloween Capital of the UK'. A title it truly deserved.

Unfortunately since our previous visit the Moroccan Adventure Golf course had been removed as the park had received an extensive refurbishment. The area that was once home to the minigolf course had become a pathway.

Late last year the owners of Southport Pleasureland announced that a new year-round Dinosaur Adventure Golf course was planned to open at the theme park. Fingers crossed that will still go ahead.

We're looking forward to returning to Southport when trips to the seaside are once again allowed post-lockdown.

Crazy Putting Challenge at Hamptworth Golf Club

A look at the Crazy Putting Challenge course at Hamptworth Golf Club.


Crazy Putting Challenge course at Hamptworth Golf Club

We played there a year ago today.

The excellent 9-hole course in Hamptworth, Wiltshire was the 875th course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour and the 511th played.

Of all the golf clubs we've visited to play minigolf we found Hamptworth to be one of the very best. It had excellent facilities and we received a very warm welcome.

The Crazy Putting Challenge was the sort of minigolf course I could play all day and not tire of as it offered so many different angles and lines to get a hole-in-one.









Gluten free and not gluten free

The problems of being a Coeliac.


I was reminded of some great merchandising of Gluten and Gluten Free food products today. They were placed dangerously side-by-side in a natural foods shop in Kentish Town, London back in 2011.

Gluten Free Vegetable Suet and Gluten
Don't get these two mixed up!

The month of May is Celiac Awareness Month, next week is Coeliac Awareness Week in the UK, while International Coeliac Day is on Saturday 16th May.

Related blog posts:
- Coeliac Problems
- Funny things about being a Coeliac

Monday, May 04, 2020

The Coronavirus (Ham & Egger) Files

A look at minigolf and competitive socialising in the time of coronavirus and social distancing.


I've been blogging about the world of minigolf since 2006 and have seen how the game boomed in the last decade.

The coronavirus pandemic has thrown a spanner in the works into the whole world and as such minigolf courses and competitive socialising venues have taken a hit.

I recently took a look at 'The next normal rules of minigolf' with a dive into how minigolf will be played after lockdown.

A look at minigolf and competitive socialising in the time of coronavirus and social distancing

The Coronavirus (Ham & Egger) Files

I've collated a number of blog posts from recent months, looking at the rise of competitive socialising, tenpin bowling and minigolf combinations, minigolf in a retail setting, technological innovations through minigolf scoring and loyalty apps, as well as the popularity of mixing art and minigolf.

These pre-pandemic posts are joined by the posts I've written about minigolf, competitive socialising and competitive isolation during the time of Covid-19.

Pre-pandemic

Shopping mall minigolf - The growth of shopping centre crazy golf and retailtainment.

Garden centre minigolf - A look at garden centres with miniature golf courses.

Artainment and the world of minigolf - A look at how minigolf has been used in artistic creations.

Minigolf and tenpin bowling - Where to find minigolf and tenpin bowling entertainment centres.

Minigolf Scoring and Loyalty Apps - A look at minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf scorecard and loyalty apps.

New minigolf courses - Details of new minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf courses opening.

During the time of Covid-19

Keeping minigolf rolling - Prior to the coronavirus pandemic the minigolf and wider competitive socialising sectors were booming. Something we're very keen to continue once the world gets back to a semblance of normality.

The Big Mini Golf Bucket List - Ideas to while away the hours, days, weeks and months of lockdown.

Crazy World of Minigolf Tour update - Out-of-Home Putting Paused by Pandemic.

Competitive socialising in isolation - Keeping social and competitive in the new world of physical distancing.

The next normal rules of minigolf - A look at how minigolf will be played after lockdown.

Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus - Posts written about new courses opening or planned, course visits, information and examples of social distancing measures, competitions and tournaments, putt at home activities and more.

Social distancing minigolf - Examples of minigolf in the time of coronavirus and social distancing.

Gator Adventure Golf in Chorley - Blog post about the first course we played during the pandemic.

The retailtainment and minigolf boom - Minigolf is a big part of the retailtainment boom, with courses opening as standalone entertainment activities, or as part of large shoppingtainment leisure offerings in malls, high streets and retail parks.

After the pandemic

Watch this space...

Putting at home

There are also a number of Putt at Home events taking place around the world and it's been brilliant to see how popular home and garden minigolf has been during lockdown.

Crazy Golf in Prestatyn, Wales
We're looking forward to launching back into the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when it's safe to do so

---------

Join our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour enewsletter mailing list


------------------

With over twenty years of marketing and sales experience each we offer consultancy services to people and businesses looking to set-up miniature golf courses, review their operations, hole designs, contests, tournaments and more. Do get in touch for a chat to see how we can help and work together.

Crazy Golf at the Outdoor Sports Centre in Southampton

A look at the Crazy Golf course at Southampton Outdoor Sports.


A year ago today we stumbled upon the 12-hole Crazy Golf course at the Outdoor Sports Centre in Southampton.

Crazy Golf course at Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre

It was surprising to see it was of the mini-Eternit Miniature Golf variety - a smaller version of a minigolf type more commonly found in continental Europe.

The Crazy Golf course at the Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre was the 872nd course visited on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Sadly we didn't have time to play it as we had to get to a wedding!

The Crazy Golf course at the Outdoor Sports Centre in Southampton was one of 18 courses we visited on our road-trip to Hampshire last year.

Putt at Home - play the Waddingtons Crazy Golf Machine board game

Taking a look at the Waddingtons Crazy Golf Machine Board Game.


Waddingtons Crazy Golf Machine board game

I was lucky enough to find a copy of the brilliant Crazy Golf Machine Board Game by Waddingtons for just £1 at a car boot sale at Stonham Barns a few years ago. It was an absolute bargain.

Waddingtons Crazy Golf Machine board game

Waddingtons Crazy Golf Machine board game


Happy Minigolf Monday

Happy Indoor Minigolf Monday.


Happy Minigolf Monday

It's the last Minigolf Monday before National Miniature Golf Day.

Happy Star Wars Day

May the fourth be with you.


Happy Star Wars Day
A selection of Star Wars characters and gimmicks I've seen on my travels - clockwise from top left at the Merseyway Comic Con in Stockport, at Collectorabilia in Leeds, at Stockport Comic Con, at Milton Keynes Outdoor Market, at Dunstable's Party in the Park, in an action figure box at John Lewis in the Trafford Centre, on a speeder bike at the Merseyway Comic Con, in a games shop in Norwich, on the planet moon of Endor at Warrington's Geeky Christmas Market 

Sunday, May 03, 2020

Minigolf in the time of Coronavirus - Worthing

Social distancing in operation at Denton Gardens.



We're looking forward to when it's safe to play minigolf again.

Splash Point Mini Golf course
Playing the hardest hole on the Splash Point Mini Golf course last April

Splash Point Mini Golf course
Emily playing the lighthouse hole at Splash Point last April

Splash Point Mini Golf is a superb 18-hole layout.

Holes 1-9 of the Splash Point Mini Golf course in Worthing
Holes 1-9 of the Splash Point Mini Golf course in Worthing

Holes 10-18 of the Splash Point Mini Golf course in Worthing
Holes 10-18 of the Splash Point Mini Golf course in Worthing

Friday, May 01, 2020

Pub quizzes during lockdown

Have you played a virtual pub quiz during lockdown?




Our local The Micker Brook in Cheadle Hulme has been running a weekly online quiz with the excellent Mike Prince since lockdown began.

The Micker Brook pub in Cheadle Hulme
The Micker Brook in Cheadle Hulme

It's brilliant fun.



I've been taking snaps of the pubs of Stockport I pass while out on my daily exercise. You can see more on my Instagram.

Picture Postcard Magic - Bournemouth

Check out my guest post about minigolf postcards from Bournemouth on the Picture Postcard Magic blog from Reflections of a Bygone Age.


The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing ebook

My ebook to help minigolf players better market themselves, their clubs, tournaments and courses is available to purchase from Amazon and Kobo.


The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing ebook

A BIG thank you to everyone who has bought a copy of the book since I published it in May 2017. It's very much appreciated.

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

I've been really pleased to see the ebook bought and used by a number of minigolf associations and federations, course owners and managers, bloggers, course reviewers and competition players around the world.

As a minigolfer with over a decade of experience as a tournament competitor and years of experience in marketing and communications I designed the guide so that anyone interested or involved in minigolf could help promote the game. It's a niche title, but an audience and subject I know a lot about.

Richard Gottfried playing in the World Crazy Golf Championships
Playing in the World Crazy Golf Championships

Writing the book was brilliant and enabled me to bring two areas of my life together. I've worked in marketing since 2003 and have played minigolf since I was a child. Stepping up to compete on the national minigolf tour circuit and in international tournaments opened my eyes to the potential of the game. I’ve also had the honour of serving on the committees of the British Minigolf Association (BMGA) and the World Minigolf Sport Federation (WMF).

Minigolf is a sport for all. People of all ages, sexes, backgrounds and abilities can pick up a putter and play the game.

When Emily and I began travelling around the country on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour there were around 600 courses in the UK. We've now visited 948 courses, including 39 overseas.

There are a huge amount of interesting and fun stories to tell and positive aspects to highlight to potential players, the media, sponsors and the wider sporting community. The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing should give federations, associations, clubs and our fellow players ideas, inspiration and support in their marketing efforts.


Much of the guidance could also be applied to a number of other sports clubs and organisations to help raise their profile and boost memberships.


Buy The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing ebook on Amazon.

Buy The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing ebook on Kobo.

While a lot of the minigolf world is out of action, plans are still being drawn up for new courses, work is ongoing to finish courses where permissible, and ideas formulated for when it's safe to get back out on the course. If you'd like to have a chat about competitive socialising, minigolf, marketing, or minigolf marketing do get in touch.

May is Celiac Awareness Month

This month is Celiac Awareness Month.


Coeliac Awareness

Coeliac Disease (Celiac in the US and Canada) is a lifelong autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten and the only treatment is to adhere to a strict lifelong gluten free diet.


In the UK it's estimated that 1 in 100 people have the condition, in the USA the figure is 1 in 133.


It's important to know and remember that Celiac/Coeliac is NOT an allergy, it's NOT a preference, it's NOT a fad, it's NOT a diet, it's NOT an intolerance, it's NOT a choice - it's an AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE.

Visit the Beyond Celiac website for more information.

In the UK Coeliac Awareness Week 2020 (aka Gluten Free Community Week) runs from the 11th to the 17th May.

International Coeliac Day is on Saturday 16th May.

National Celiac Disease Awareness Day is on the 13th September this year.

The week before Christmas is Gluten Free Baking Week.

This year marks my 12th year living gluten free. I was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease in June 2008.

Check out my gluten free, celiac and coeliac disease blog posts.

Luckily I've found some 100% gluten free places that are safe for people with Coeliac Disease. I'm really looking forward to visiting them again once the coronavirus pandemic is over.

A Putting Green postcard from Butlin's Pwllheli

A look at The Putting Green at Butlin's Pwllheli.


Butlin's Pwllheli Putting Green. Real Butlin's photograph numbered P8. Postally used on 10th August 1966
Butlin's Pwllheli Putting Green. Real Butlin's photograph numbered P8. Postally used on 10th August 1966

The Putting Green looks a little more makeshift than on later Butlin's postcards.

I have another postcard showing the Putting Greens and Lawns at Butlin's Pwllheli holiday camp in my collection.