Monday, May 10, 2021

The Minigolf Nations Cup 2008

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


The 2008 Minigolf Nations Cup

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.

In action at the Minigolf Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland
In action at the Minigolf Nations Cup in Tampere, Finland

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 - International Minigolfer

Emily Gottfried - International Minigolfer

We've also played for the Great Britain national team in World Minigolf Sport Federation and European Minigolf Sport Federation tournaments in Stockholm, Sweden and Hastings, England.

The Beton Concrete Mini Golf course at the Manse RG Club in Tampere was the 50th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. The Eternit Miniature Golf course was the 51st and the Swedish Felt Minigolf course there was the 52nd played. We've now been to 958 courses since 2006.

Hollywood Adventure Golf in Great Yarmouth

Spotting an advert for the Windmill Theatre Crazy Golf course in Great Yarmouth.


My brother and charter member of the Crazy World of Minigolf Tour Christopher Gottfried recently spotted this advert for the Windmill Theatre Crazy Golf in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Advert for the Windmill Theatre Crazy Golf in Great Yarmouth. Photo by Christopher Gottfried May 2021

We've both played the indoor minigolf course, but haven't yet had a game against each other there.

When our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour began in 2006 the course at the Windmill Theatre was one of only two indoor miniature golf courses in the UK. There are now more than 100 indoor courses!

Visit the Hollywood Adventure Golf course website for more information.

Saturday, May 08, 2021

Happy National Miniature Golf Day!

Today is National Miniature Golf Day.


Minigolf courses we've played on Miniature Golf Days

National Miniature Golf Day is always marked on the second Saturday in May.

Miniature Golf Day

Each year there are two 'minigolf days', the second of which is Miniature Golf Day. It is always on the 21st September. This year that will be a Tuesday.

Friday, May 07, 2021

National Miniature Golf Day Eve

Tomorrow is the BIG day!


There are two annual minigolf 'days' dedicated to celebrating the game each year. First up is National Miniature Golf Day. It is always marked on the second Saturday in May. This year the date is Saturday 8th May.

A selection of courses played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

The world's first miniature golf course

The first miniature golf course in the world opened in St Andrews, Scotland in 1867. The Himalayas Putting Course is still open and is a marvellous place to have a round.   

Thursday, May 06, 2021

New miniature golf course in Chorley

There are plans for a new 12-hole miniature golf course to open at Duxbury Park in Chorley, Lancashire.


There are plans for a new 12-hole miniature golf course to open at Duxbury Park in Chorley, Lancashire

Visit the Glendale Golf website for more information on the Duxbury Park golf centre.


Chorley is fairly close to us so it'll be interesting to swing by for a game on the new layout when it opens.

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean's Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth

A look at the Jungle Adventure Golf course at the Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth.


Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Our friends Sophia and Karl Moles recently had a short break at the Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park in Great Yarmouth and sent us these photos of the Adventure Golf course at the park.

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021
I do like seeing crashed plane theming on a course

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021
A crocodile - or alligator - lurking near the course

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Visit the Parkdean website for more information.


Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021
What's that croc had for dinner?

The Moles family have found and played a fair few minigolf, crazy golf and adventure golf courses on their travels. Including one on a cruise ship!

It's always brilliant seeing new courses and those we haven't been to on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour.

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

Jungle Adventure Golf at Parkdean Vauxhall Holiday Park. Photo by Sophia and Karl Moles, May 2021

New adventure golf course opening in Maidstone

A new adventure golf course is opening in Maidstone, Kent.


There are plans for a new indoor adventure golf course to be created at the Prison Island escape room venue in Maidstone, Kent

There are plans for a new indoor adventure golf course to be created at the Prison Island escape room venue in Maidstone, Kent.

Visit the Prison Island website for more information.


It's another new course for us to play on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. It'll be interesting to see if the theme continues along the prison line. That'll be a relatively new theme for us to play.

Wednesday, May 05, 2021

Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf on Shanklin Seafront

A look at the Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf course on Shanklin Seafront on the Isle of Wight.


Shanklin Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf, Isle of Wight. Photo by Matt Dodd, July 2020

Our fellow minigolfing explorer Matt Dodd sent me these snaps from the new Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf on Shanklin Seafront following his visit last summer.

Shanklin Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf, Isle of Wight. Photo by Matt Dodd, July 2020

Shanklin Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf, Isle of Wight. Photo by Matt Dodd, July 2020

Check out the Shanklin Seafront website for more information.


Matt and his family have visited hundreds of courses on their crazy golf adventures and it's always brilliant to meet up with them for a game. Matt has managed to track down and play quite a lot of courses that we're yet to visit on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

We have played minigolf on the spot that the Jurassic Bay Adventure Golf course now sits - in fact we played it in its two previous forms.

Tuesday, May 04, 2021

Blockbuster Video in Nuneaton

Checking out the former Blockbuster Video store in Nuneaton, Warwickshire.


Blockbuster Video in Nuneaton, May 2021

Earlier this year the old sign at the former Blockbuster Video store on Regent Street in Nuneaton was uncovered when the most recent tenant of the building moved out.

Blockbuster Video in Nuneaton, May 2021

The unit had been home to a 365 Bargains store which has now moved-next-door-but-one on the same retail park.

Blockbuster Video in Nuneaton, May 2021
The sign at the rear of the store has also been removed and the ghost outline of the Blockbuster Big Ticket logo sign can be seen

It's always marvellous to find remnants of lost brands that evoke memories of a bygone time.

Blockbuster Video in Nuneaton, May 2021
What film or game would you rent out if you could?

We were also lucky enough to spot an old Woolworths ghost sign while we were having a walk round Nuneaton town centre!

Blockbuster Video

Blockbuster ceased operations in the UK in December 2013. At the start of the year there were 528 Blockbuster locations in the UK. The number dwindled until October when only 264 shops remained. The remaining stores closed on the 16th December that year.

At its peak in 2004 there were more than 9,000 Blockbuster stores around the world. There is now just one remaining store open. It's in Bend, Oregon, USA.

Luckily for us there are still relics of its time as a retail powerhouse on the high streets and retail parks of the UK.

Blockbuster Video Express


Blockbuster visits

Miniature Golf at Dunton Hills in Essex

A look at the Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Golf Centre in West Horndon, Essex.


Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

A big thank you to my friend and crazy golf rival Stephen Skinner for these photos of the Miniature Golf course Dunton Hills golf centre in West Horndon, Essex.

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Miniature Golf course at Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre in West Horndon. Photo by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Check out the Dunton Hills Family Golf Centre website for more information, opening times and prices.

Playing minigolf at Dunton Hills


The layout at Dunton Hills is an incredibly tricky, long and wide minigolf course, but great fun and a good test to play.

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club in Saltash

A look at the new Woodland Adventure Golf course at China Fleet Country Club in Saltash, Plymouth.


Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

My mate and minigolf rival Simon Brown hit up a new minigolf course over the weekend as he teed-off on the Woodland Adventure Golf course at China Fleet Country Club in Saltash, Plymouth.

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

The 18-hole adventure golf layout opened last year.

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Woodland Adventure Golf at China Fleet Country Club Saltash Plymouth. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Check out the China Fleet Country Club website for more information, opening times and prices.


It'll be a new course for us to play on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour when we return to Plymouth in the future.

Jabba the Putt

Happy Star Wars Day.


Jabba the Putt at Trailer Trash Jim's Crazy Golf at Level Preston in May 2018
Jabba the Putt at Trailer Trash Jim's Crazy Golf at Level Preston in May 2018

Crazy Golf at Vivary Park in Taunton

A look at the Mini Golf course at Vivary Park in Taunton, Somerset.


Crazy Golf at Vivary Park, Taunton. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

My friend and crazy golf rival Simon Brown swung by the Crazy Golf course at Vivary Park in Taunton and sent over these snaps of the ace course.

Crazy Golf at Vivary Park, Taunton. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Crazy Golf at Vivary Park, Taunton. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Crazy Golf at Vivary Park, Taunton. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Crazy Golf at Vivary Park, Taunton. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

Crazy Golf at Vivary Park, Taunton. Photo by Simon Brown, May 2021

We played the layout on our road-trip around the South West in 2015 and it was a pleasure to have a game there. It's such a well designed course and a real test of putting skill.

Visit the Vivary Park Crazy Golf website for more information, opening times and prices.

Today is Star Wars Day

May the 4th Be With You.


A selection of Star Wars characters and props 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
A selection of Star Wars characters and props 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 

Monday, May 03, 2021

Woolworths in Nuneaton

Finding a Woolworths ghost sign.


A Woolworths ghost sign in Nuneaton

We were surprised to see a Woolworths ghost sign while walking through Nuneaton town centre!

A Woolworths ghost sign in Nuneaton

The sign was above the store's former entrance on Queens Road.

A Woolworths ghost sign in Nuneaton
Social distancing signage alongside Woolworths branding - not something I ever thought I'd see

The shop was most recently a Poundland and before then had been a 99p Stores and a TJ Hughes.

A Woolworths ghost sign in Nuneaton


The former Woolworths in Nuneaton
You can see some of Poundland's 'Sorry We Have Closed' messaging on the shopfront. Interestingly one of our local Poundland shops in Stockport has recently closed and where the signage has been removed you can see a British Home Stores ghost sign

Other Woolies

The last Woolworths shop in the UK closed in January 2009 so it's always nice when remnants of the brand become visible again.


We took a look at an old Woolworths store in Brunstane, Edinburgh in August 2011. That was a Big W Woolworths store at The Jewel retail park. It's long gone now.


Puttshack Mini Golf at Lakeside

A look at the Puttshack indoor minigolf course at Lakeside, Essex.


Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Many thanks to my friend and minigolf rival Stephen Skinner for sending me some snaps from his visit to Puttshack at the Lakeside shopping centre in Grays, Essex. Stephen played the course last August.

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

For more information about Puttshack high-tech mini-golf visit the Puttshack website. The brand has recently launched in the USA too.

Puttshack Super-Tech Mini-Golf at Lakeside by Stephen Skinner, August 2020

Playing at Puttshack


Crazy Golf at Rylstone Tea Gardens in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight

A look at the Rylstone Tea Gardens Crazy Golf course in Shanklin, Isle of Wight.


My friend and minigolf rival Matt Dodd sent me this photo of the Crazy Golf course at Rylstone Tea Gardens in Shanklin on the Isle of Wight during his minigolfing trip there last summer.

Rylstone Tea Gardens Crazy Golf in Shanklin, Isle of Wight. Photo by Matt Dodd, July 2020


Visit the Rylstone Tea Gardens & Crazy Golf Facebook Page for more information.

Saturday, May 01, 2021

May is Celiac Awareness Month

This month is Celiac Awareness Month.


Celiac Awareness Month

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.

Visit the Beyond Celiac website for more information.

Living a gluten free life

Having suffered from a range of symptoms for around ten years I finally received a positive diagnosis of Coeliac Disease following some 'interesting' and in-depth tests and procedures in 2008. It came as a relief to finally have a name for the mysterious cause of my illnesses and ailments, but at the time I was only given a brief summary and told that I'd have to "cut down on bread and beer". It was only later when I met with a Gastroenterologist and a dietitian that I found out that the only treatment for people with Coeliac Disease is a strict, life-long gluten free diet.

Coeliac awareness dates

The month of May is Celiac Awareness Month, International Coeliac Day is on Sunday 16th May and Coeliac UK Awareness Week runs from the 10th to the 16th May.

The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

I published my minigolf marketing ebook four years ago today.


The Minigolfer's Guide to Marketing

It's been brilliant to see the guide read and used by a number of associations, federations, course owners and managers, players and clubs around the world.

The feedback and reviews have been excellent to see, with some people also using the ebook to help them promote other sports.


Don't worry if you don't have a Kindle as you can download the Kindle App on iOS, Android, Mac & PC.

The ebook is also available on Kobo.

It's just £1.99.

Minigolf Marketing

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.

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.

The Crazy World of Minigolf Tour

Emily and I have visited 958 courses in the UK and overseas on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. When our travels began in 2006 there were around 600 courses in the UK. We've got 40 from that original list left to visit.

The minigolf boom

The game is really booming and new courses are being announced all the time.

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, courses, clubs and our fellow players ideas, inspiration and support in their marketing efforts.

Links:

Friday, April 30, 2021

Minigolfing in the Netherlands. In Andover

We played an around-the-world themed indoor minigolf course in Andover, Hampshire back in May 2019.


Glo-Golf indoor Crazy Golf at the Riverside Bowl in Andover

Each of the holes was themed after a different country. Hole 1 was the Netherlands.

Glo-Golf indoor Crazy Golf at the Riverside Bowl in Andover

The Glo-Golf course at the Riverside Bowl in Andover was the 882nd course visited and 514th played on our Crazy World of Minigolf Tour. We've now been to 958 courses since September 2006.

We're yet to play in the Netherlands itself. However, my brother Christopher - a charter member of the tour - has played a Time Travel themed GlowGolf course in Amsterdam and swung by the Midget Golf course in Muiderberg.