Sussex Wasps Mini Golf Club (Official Website) |
WORLD CRAZY GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS 2015
Sussex Wasps Results
6 - Nuno Cunha
T10 - Steve Lovell
15 - Derek Bentall
19 - Andy Wilde
T25 - Paul Preston
T31 - Matt Bray
T47 - Ed Pope
Report from Captain - Steve 'Sheila' Lovell
The World Crazy Golf Championships of 2015 has come to an end and it has been a fantastic tournament for all concerned. Our congratulations go to Michael Smith for a dominant victory by thirteen shots from Pasi Aho. The standard was high and the cut was five shots better than last year.
Nuno Cunha was the first Wasp home in 6th place, including a new Sussex record in the opening round of 30. Steve Lovell repeated his final round appointment for a second straight year and improved to a tie for 10th. Derek Bentall made his first career cut and after an incredible first day, was maybe slightly overawed and finished in 15th. Andy Wilde took a place in the ejector seat for 19th on his debut, the best result by a debutant this year and picked up the Category 2/3/4 honours. Paul Preston had another solid performance and although slipped a bit at the end of day one, pushed hard once again for a tie for 25th. Edward Pope did remarkably well for someone with only an hours practice, ending in a share of 47th. I am very proud of all of you, in particular the guys who volunteered themselves for additional duties in the final round.
Once again, the weekend will hold lots of memories and we send our sincere thanks to Sean and Marion as well as Hastings Adventure Golf.
http://bmga.co.uk/2015WCGC/result.htm
Report from BMGA
The thirteenth annual World Crazy Golf Championships took place at the Hastings seafront Adventure Golf Complex in Hastings, East Sussex on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October. 75 players from across England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Finland, the Czech Republic, Germany and Portugal competed in the two-day event that was won by Michael Smith (Midlands Minigolf Club).
The tournament saw the players compete across six qualifying rounds on the 18-hole Hastings Crazy Golf course before a cut was made and the top 18 players went on to contest the final round. Michael, the previous 2 time champion took control of the event on day 2 and saw off a strong field to take the title, 13 shots clear of runner-up Pasi Aho from Finland. In third and fourth places were former Champions Chris Harding and Olivia Prokopova(Czech Republic) with Marc Chapman in fifth place, Nuno Cunha (Portugal) in sixth with Andy Exall rounding out the prize money in seventh place having beaten team mate Adam Kelly in a play off.
Speaking after the event, Michael said “I am incredibly proud and delighted to have won the 2015 World Crazy Golf Championship. It is a huge honour to beat such a top quality field, especially as I believe I have never played better than this weekend throughout my 6 years on the BMGA Tour. Huge thanks should go to Sean and Marion Homer, the entire Executive Committee, and all the volunteers who refereed and scored in round 7. A special thank you to Simon and all the team at Hastings Adventure Golf for their fantastic hospitality not just this weekend but for every tournament we play in Hastings."”
Emily Gottfried won the Aces Trophy - the Gommery (donated and presented by Liz and Dave Gomm) – once again, for being the highest placed player outside of the top 18 finalist scoring the most holes-in-one at the event with a total of 22 during rounds one to six.
Sunday afternoon also saw the now traditional HOLE IN ONE Challenge take place with over 60 players taking part at the notoriously tough hole 2 on the course. Players paid £1 for one shot at aceing the hole, with 50% of the entry fees going towards our nominated charity for 2015 – The Teenage Cancer Trust - and the remainder split between any players who got a hole in one. Two players, Julian Turner and Ruth Burke managed to bang in an ace each and share the prize fund between then. This season the players taking part in these challenges along with the Players Championship have raised over £250 for the charity - a brilliant effort by all concerned.
Sean Homer, Chairman of the BMGA, reflecting on the Competition, said “Once again the World Crazy Golf Championship has lived up to its billing as the most eagerly awaited and anticipated event on our tour. The welcome we receive from the team at Hastings is second to none and the minigolf produced by the top players was of the highest quality. But the real stars of the weekend were all of our players who always demonstrate the spirit and excitement that the event creates and I am sure they all had great fun in yet another fantastic weekend at Hastings. We are always keen to hear what the players think and we would like all of our competitors to take the short survey set up by the Organisers and let us know what they think by 1st November – the survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2WND376 - your feedback is hugely important to us and we appreciate your time in completing the survey.”
Simon Tompkins, General Manager of Hastings Adventure Golf, said “As always a great weekend had by all. The sight of a prosthetic leg being used as a putter and the annual glimpse into John ‘Big Top Ted” McIver’s wardrobe is what helps keeps the 'crazy' fun in this event - long may it continue!! Thanks to all those who took part. Myself and my team look forward to welcoming you back again next year for the biggest world championships yet!!!!”
Sean also announced some big news regarding the 2016 event saying, “The World Crazy Golf Championship has gone from strength to strength over the years and with the field reaching capacity this year, Simon and myself have been looking at ways of opening up the event to larger numbers, ensuring everyone has the option to take part in this unique competition. With this in mind, we are delighted to announce that the 2016 WCGC will be taking place across the weekend of June 11th and 12th in what will be the biggest and best event in the tournaments history. Full details of the competition, along with entry information, will be communicated in the coming weeks, and although the date in the calendar has changed, rest assured we will be ensuring the unique spirit, excitement and fun of the World Crazy Golf Championship remains 100% intact. We both look forward to welcoming our biggest field of crazy golfers ever to the Hastings seafront next June!”.
World Crazy Golf Championship Roll of Honour:
2015 Michael Smith (ENG)
2014 Chris Harding (ENG)
2013 Olivia Prokopova (CZE)
2012 Michael Smith (ENG)
2011 Michael Smith (ENG)
2010 Chris Harding (ENG)
2009 Keith Kellard (ENG)
2008 Tim Davies (WAL)
2007 Chris Harding (ENG)
2006 Tim Davies (WAL)
2005 Tim Davies (WAL)
2004 Tim Davies (WAL)
2003 Tim Davies (WAL)
Full results from the 2015 World Crazy Golf Championship can be found at http://www.bmga.co.uk/2015WCGC/result.htm
The next event on the tour is the Kent Open at the Lost Island Encounter course in Sidcup on Sunday 15th November. Full details of the competition can be found at http://www.minigolf.org.uk/joomla/index.php?option=com_eventlist&view=details&id=133&Itemid=56
The British Minigolf Association (BMGA) is the governing body for Minigolf Sport, including Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf. Formed in 1998 the BMGA organises Minigolf competitions for its members across the UK.
Hastings Adventure Golf on the town’s seafront is home to three 18-hole Miniature Golf courses. Hastings Adventure Golf has been the home venue for the World Crazy Golf Championship since the tournament began in 2003. Castle Golf produces quality Adventure Golf courses throughout the World. Further information can be found at http://www.hastingsadventuregolf.com and http://www.adventuregolf.co.uk
Background photo (c) Sussex Wasps 2015
6 - Nuno Cunha
T10 - Steve Lovell
15 - Derek Bentall
19 - Andy Wilde
T25 - Paul Preston
T31 - Matt Bray
T47 - Ed Pope
Report from Captain - Steve 'Sheila' Lovell
The World Crazy Golf Championships of 2015 has come to an end and it has been a fantastic tournament for all concerned. Our congratulations go to Michael Smith for a dominant victory by thirteen shots from Pasi Aho. The standard was high and the cut was five shots better than last year.
Nuno Cunha was the first Wasp home in 6th place, including a new Sussex record in the opening round of 30. Steve Lovell repeated his final round appointment for a second straight year and improved to a tie for 10th. Derek Bentall made his first career cut and after an incredible first day, was maybe slightly overawed and finished in 15th. Andy Wilde took a place in the ejector seat for 19th on his debut, the best result by a debutant this year and picked up the Category 2/3/4 honours. Paul Preston had another solid performance and although slipped a bit at the end of day one, pushed hard once again for a tie for 25th. Edward Pope did remarkably well for someone with only an hours practice, ending in a share of 47th. I am very proud of all of you, in particular the guys who volunteered themselves for additional duties in the final round.
Once again, the weekend will hold lots of memories and we send our sincere thanks to Sean and Marion as well as Hastings Adventure Golf.
http://bmga.co.uk/2015WCGC/result.htm
Report from BMGA
The thirteenth annual World Crazy Golf Championships took place at the Hastings seafront Adventure Golf Complex in Hastings, East Sussex on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October. 75 players from across England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Finland, the Czech Republic, Germany and Portugal competed in the two-day event that was won by Michael Smith (Midlands Minigolf Club).
The tournament saw the players compete across six qualifying rounds on the 18-hole Hastings Crazy Golf course before a cut was made and the top 18 players went on to contest the final round. Michael, the previous 2 time champion took control of the event on day 2 and saw off a strong field to take the title, 13 shots clear of runner-up Pasi Aho from Finland. In third and fourth places were former Champions Chris Harding and Olivia Prokopova(Czech Republic) with Marc Chapman in fifth place, Nuno Cunha (Portugal) in sixth with Andy Exall rounding out the prize money in seventh place having beaten team mate Adam Kelly in a play off.
Speaking after the event, Michael said “I am incredibly proud and delighted to have won the 2015 World Crazy Golf Championship. It is a huge honour to beat such a top quality field, especially as I believe I have never played better than this weekend throughout my 6 years on the BMGA Tour. Huge thanks should go to Sean and Marion Homer, the entire Executive Committee, and all the volunteers who refereed and scored in round 7. A special thank you to Simon and all the team at Hastings Adventure Golf for their fantastic hospitality not just this weekend but for every tournament we play in Hastings."”
Emily Gottfried won the Aces Trophy - the Gommery (donated and presented by Liz and Dave Gomm) – once again, for being the highest placed player outside of the top 18 finalist scoring the most holes-in-one at the event with a total of 22 during rounds one to six.
Sunday afternoon also saw the now traditional HOLE IN ONE Challenge take place with over 60 players taking part at the notoriously tough hole 2 on the course. Players paid £1 for one shot at aceing the hole, with 50% of the entry fees going towards our nominated charity for 2015 – The Teenage Cancer Trust - and the remainder split between any players who got a hole in one. Two players, Julian Turner and Ruth Burke managed to bang in an ace each and share the prize fund between then. This season the players taking part in these challenges along with the Players Championship have raised over £250 for the charity - a brilliant effort by all concerned.
Sean Homer, Chairman of the BMGA, reflecting on the Competition, said “Once again the World Crazy Golf Championship has lived up to its billing as the most eagerly awaited and anticipated event on our tour. The welcome we receive from the team at Hastings is second to none and the minigolf produced by the top players was of the highest quality. But the real stars of the weekend were all of our players who always demonstrate the spirit and excitement that the event creates and I am sure they all had great fun in yet another fantastic weekend at Hastings. We are always keen to hear what the players think and we would like all of our competitors to take the short survey set up by the Organisers and let us know what they think by 1st November – the survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2WND376 - your feedback is hugely important to us and we appreciate your time in completing the survey.”
Simon Tompkins, General Manager of Hastings Adventure Golf, said “As always a great weekend had by all. The sight of a prosthetic leg being used as a putter and the annual glimpse into John ‘Big Top Ted” McIver’s wardrobe is what helps keeps the 'crazy' fun in this event - long may it continue!! Thanks to all those who took part. Myself and my team look forward to welcoming you back again next year for the biggest world championships yet!!!!”
Sean also announced some big news regarding the 2016 event saying, “The World Crazy Golf Championship has gone from strength to strength over the years and with the field reaching capacity this year, Simon and myself have been looking at ways of opening up the event to larger numbers, ensuring everyone has the option to take part in this unique competition. With this in mind, we are delighted to announce that the 2016 WCGC will be taking place across the weekend of June 11th and 12th in what will be the biggest and best event in the tournaments history. Full details of the competition, along with entry information, will be communicated in the coming weeks, and although the date in the calendar has changed, rest assured we will be ensuring the unique spirit, excitement and fun of the World Crazy Golf Championship remains 100% intact. We both look forward to welcoming our biggest field of crazy golfers ever to the Hastings seafront next June!”.
World Crazy Golf Championship Roll of Honour:
2015 Michael Smith (ENG)
2014 Chris Harding (ENG)
2013 Olivia Prokopova (CZE)
2012 Michael Smith (ENG)
2011 Michael Smith (ENG)
2010 Chris Harding (ENG)
2009 Keith Kellard (ENG)
2008 Tim Davies (WAL)
2007 Chris Harding (ENG)
2006 Tim Davies (WAL)
2005 Tim Davies (WAL)
2004 Tim Davies (WAL)
2003 Tim Davies (WAL)
Full results from the 2015 World Crazy Golf Championship can be found at http://www.bmga.co.uk/2015WCGC/result.htm
The next event on the tour is the Kent Open at the Lost Island Encounter course in Sidcup on Sunday 15th November. Full details of the competition can be found at http://www.minigolf.org.uk/joomla/index.php?option=com_eventlist&view=details&id=133&Itemid=56
The British Minigolf Association (BMGA) is the governing body for Minigolf Sport, including Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf. Formed in 1998 the BMGA organises Minigolf competitions for its members across the UK.
Hastings Adventure Golf on the town’s seafront is home to three 18-hole Miniature Golf courses. Hastings Adventure Golf has been the home venue for the World Crazy Golf Championship since the tournament began in 2003. Castle Golf produces quality Adventure Golf courses throughout the World. Further information can be found at http://www.hastingsadventuregolf.com and http://www.adventuregolf.co.uk
Background photo (c) Sussex Wasps 2015