E-mail
Password
Lost password »
Register »
      

LATEST FORUM POST

Argentina  INESfun

22 Feb 2020 at 13:37

There are about 300 recesses on one golf ball, and thanks to them, the ball flies three times farther than a smooth one. ... Balls of the same size...

Go to latest post »


LATEST COMMENT  More »

United States of America  Smitty

07 Jun 2023 at 04:45

Jason and team make this place beautiful and the tournament is fun and well run.

Go to latest comment »




LATEST BLOG POSTS

Hungary  Magician | 4118 views | 0 comments

31 Dec 2023 at 17:32

End of 2023


United States of America  PatPenguin | 9373 views | 0 comments

17 Nov 2023 at 13:07

A 2023 Masterful Experience


United States of America  PatPenguin | 7272 views | 0 comments

22 May 2023 at 13:19

We’re All Loony Here....


All blogs »



POLL

From which country will the World Adventure Golf Tour Final (April 27-28, 2024) come from?


- Czech Republic

- Sweden

- Germany

- United States

- New Zealand

- Austria

- Wales

- Finland

- Slovakia


To vote, you need to log in.


You have to vote to see the results.


Total 0 votes, since 27 Mar 2024.

Recent polls »

Interview with Ed Pope - Novice World Crazy Golf Champ


United Kingdom 09 Jan 2017 at 01:38 | Published by: PatPenguin | Views: 18408 | News search

Interview with Ed Pope - Novice World Crazy Golf Champ
Ed Pope  (Photo by Marion Homer/BMGA)

HAVE YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKE TO BE A NOVICE WORLD CRAZY GOLF CHAMPION?

Minigolfnews.com reporter Steve Lovell spoke to the 2016 novice champion, Ed Pope, to find out what it was like.

Steve: You’ve been playing on the pro tour for just over two years and this is your most productive year. You’re enjoying the experience. What is it about minigolf that you do enjoy?

Ed: Firstly, it’s the people that make it, you don’t do something if you’re not enjoying it. Same as in any walk of life. Secondly, a bit of competitiveness, it’s always good to have a bit of competition in your life. I really enjoy minigolf, it gives me a chance to have a weekend away.

Steve: Before minigolf, were you a regular golfer?

Ed: I did use to play ‘big golf’ quite a lot, about once a month. I got down to a handicap of 18 at my best so I would say I was only an average golfer. Probably could have got even better if I dedicated more time to it.

Steve: Tell me about other sports you’re interested in and what sort of level have you got to?

Ed: My dad was a massive darts player so I have always liked that, because of him. Also pool, I’ve managed to go to the national finals in Great Yarmouth, so I feel a bit like a pub game king. I use to run pubs for a number of years so that comes with the territory. I always like having something in my life that I can do well at.

Steve: What do you do for a living and how long have you been doing it for?

Ed: I work for Volkswagen in Leicester and have done for just over three years. I’m in the service department, helping people get their cars through MOT’s {Ministry Of Transport test for car safety}. A good place to work and I get on well with my colleagues.

Steve: You have a young family, tell me about them?

Ed: I’ve been married to Marianne for five years and have a boy called Zac, who is four. He is the light of my life, he’s amazing. You never realise how much you are going to actually love somebody until it happens. Marianne is fantastic, she is everything I need and love to have around. She is the yin to my yang, as they say. It’s lovely to have a nice family environment around me.

Steve: What interested you in playing in the World Crazy Golf Championships?

Ed: It was you!! I had heard the stories about playing and the social side of it and I thought, ‘you know what, it’s got to be worth having a go.’ It truly is a great weekend, you have a ball of a time. It isn’t just about the tournament, it’s everything else as well, something that I will be doing for years to come.

Steve: Your second WCGC was a success as you became the novice champion. Give us your account of the weekend?

Ed: Day one went pretty well. I played as I kind of expected to play, I was two over by the end of the day. I was a few shots clear in the novice event but I was closer to the top eighteen than the rest of the novices, and I think that had a slight negative impact. I was looking forward and behind at the same time. My concentration wasn’t quite there at the start of day two, the rain and wind came and I had almost talked myself into a frenzy of this is mine to lose. Within a round, I was behind. I didn’t play particularly well. The final round came along and when I found out that me, Rupert (Pilgrim) and Mark (Watson) were going to be in the penultimate group of the whole tournament, it was an absolute honour to be a part of it, to be involved that closely with all the top guys. The weather also improved and I felt completely focused on the job in hand.

Steve: The last round is quite unique when all balls in a group are in play. How did you find that, knowing that you trailed by four shots going into it?

Ed: It was great for me, awesome. I went into trailing by three and by the second hole, I was leading again. It was my lowest score of the weekend and I only dropped one shot, where my ball got knocked out of the way. It was the best round I’ve ever played and to do it then gives me a great amount of pride. The conditions were tough but it certainly helped that I played other events beforehand. I felt the little bit of extra experience that I had were beneficial. Once I had the lead, I wasn’t going to give it up.

Steve: How did your work colleagues and friends react to you becoming World Crazy Golf Novice Champion?

Ed: I work with a bunch of mechanics so their reaction was a mixture of ridicule and disbelief. Once you tell people about what you do and why you do it, then they start to understand. Rolling that putt in on the last was incredible, you can’t describe it. When my friends and colleagues introduce me to new people, it’s the first thing they say.

Steve: With your prize winnings, you won more that weekend than most minigolfers have ever won in their career. What did you do with the money?

Ed: I gave it to my wife. We spoiled ourselves a little bit. My family were the whole reason I could go, we organised everything so I could have the time off. It was the least I could do as way of a thank you.

Steve: Where do you keep the trophy?

Ed: It’s on display in my lounge, for everyone who comes around to see. We have a big family display, photos of my son, my wedding day and right underneath it is the trophy. I’ve put it on my CV already, I’m honestly proud of the trophy. I thought I had a good chance and it is fantastic to win it.

Steve: If anyone reading says ‘I might be interested in playing minigolf’, what would you say to them?

Ed: Have a go. Everyone is really welcoming. Just be yourself, show enthusiasm, try to compete but have a good time. For what it costs and with the number of events there are, you’re going to be close to one, it is completely worth it. And if you can putt, there is a chance to win something too.

Steve: Star City marks the first time that you have used a set of minigolf balls. How have you got on with them and what’s the difference between a golf ball and putter and a minigolf ball with a rubber fronted putter?

Ed: I got on with them really well, quicker than I thought I would do. It feels more natural hitting a minigolf ball with a specialist putter. I think it will save me a few shots a round but if you’re looking at improving, a few shots is a massive jump. It gives me more control over the shot now.

Steve: What happened to your first putter?

Ed: Ha ha. I gave up the ghost on me. I was playing in the final round at the British Masters in Worthing, waiting on the fourth tee. I leaned on my club as I do every time and the head broke off. I had to borrow a course putter, which I was playing better with. Actually, in a strange way, the decision to get minigolf balls and minigolf putter made more sense after that round.

Steve: Do you see yourself continuing to play three or four events a year?

Ed: Yes, I’d like to play around that amount. I was hoping to do five this year but maybe next year. Obviously, I have to take into consideration my family but were I am in the country, I can make a few. I have family in Worthing and Margate too so hopefully get to those too. It’s my getaway.

Anyone interested in playing in this years event, the 15th running of the World Crazy Golf Championships will be on the 10th and 11th of June at Hastings, England.



SHARE

Share


Comments

No comments yet.

Add comment
To add comments, you need to log in.


Round 2 of the Indoor League of Western Sweden

Sweden 05 Jan 2017 at 13:57 | views: 15396 | Comments: 0

The second gathering in the indoor series took place in Vänersborg on December 10 and 11 and was played on the Eternite (EC) surface. You can catch up on the first round in our article here. Before the start Askim was in the lead followed by Skoghall. Just a ...
Read more »

Round 2 of the Indoor League of Western Sweden

Nicholas Kwaterski Defends Frostbite Open Title

Nicholas Kwaterski Defends Frostbite Open Title

United States of America 04 Jan 2017 at 14:00 | views: 14118 | Comments: 0

The first mini golf tournament of the year in the US is in the books at The Red Putter Miniature Golf in North Ephraim (Wisconsin)! Nicholas Kwaterski keeps his title as Frostbite Open Champion with a two-round score of 90. Nick, from Wisconsin Rapids, took ...
Read more »

Lukas Larsson takes Stage 2 of Western Sweden Indoor Tour

Sweden 03 Jan 2017 at 13:53 | views: 15154 | Comments: 0

Stage 2 of the western Sweden indoor tour was held in Vänersborg on Eternite (european courses). It was played on November 27. You can see our article from the first stage here. From the beginning until the end this was a competition in class A which was ...
Read more »

Lukas Larsson takes Stage 2 of Western Sweden Indoor Tour

2016 in Review - The Back 9

2016 in Review - The Back 9

Minigolfnews 29 Dec 2016 at 13:33 | views: 14694 | Comments: 0

In case you missed the first half of this article we are taking a look back through our posts for the year. On the back 9 we'll be concentrating on those stories that got everyone interested and scored a lot of views this year. It's our goal in 2017 to continue ...
Read more »

UPCOMING EVENTS   More »




LATEST RESULTS   More »

 29 Oct 2022

Olde Scotland Yard Course Championship

 22 Oct 2022

Clifton Heights Course Championship

 29 Sep 2022

European Champions League Final

 23 Sep 2022

Open African Championship

 17 Sep 2022

Miniest Open

 17 Sep 2022

Branson Open

 17 Sep 2022

6th Matterhorn International Pro-Am




MORE NEWS

United Kingdom 09 Jan 2017 at 01:38 | PatPenguin
Interview with Ed Pope - Novice World Crazy Golf Champ

Sweden 05 Jan 2017 at 13:57 | PatPenguin
Round 2 of the Indoor League of Western Sweden

United States of America 04 Jan 2017 at 14:00 | PatPenguin
Nicholas Kwaterski Defends Frostbite Open Title

Sweden 03 Jan 2017 at 13:53 | PatPenguin
Lukas Larsson takes Stage 2 of Western Sweden Indoor Tour

Minigolfnews 29 Dec 2016 at 13:33 | PatPenguin
2016 in Review - The Back 9

Minigolfnews 26 Dec 2016 at 14:21 | PatPenguin
2016 in Review - The Front 9

Minigolfnews 24 Dec 2016 at 15:09 | PatPenguin
Happy (#minigolf) Holidays!

Australia 21 Dec 2016 at 14:15 | PatPenguin
Allan Cox takes Australian Minigolf Championship

United States of America 19 Dec 2016 at 16:39 | PatPenguin
Miniature Golf and Bettering the Community – Part 4

Sweden 30 Nov 2016 at 16:18 | PatPenguin
Västsvenska Inomhustouren 1 Played on November 11 at Askims BGK

Finland 28 Nov 2016 at 12:17 | Ida
Finnish Winter League started with a tremendous excitement!