Why Richard is just crazy about his golf
A CRAZY golf fan putt the opposition in its place to reach the final of a national championship.
Richard Gottfried, 36, of Cheadle Hulme, came through the qualifiers of the American Golf Adventure Golf National Pairs Championship with partner Peter Jones.
They then played at the famous Belfry course, in Sutton Coldfield, against nine other pairs and made the final two before narrowly losing in the last round.
Richard discovered crazy golf on childhood holidays and along with his wife Emily, 35, is also attempting to play at every course in the country. Currently they have visited 779 with around 100 left.
He said: “There was mixed emotions coming second, we were disappointed not to win but it was only the second time me and Peter had played together. Hopefully next time we’ll go one better.
“It was good fun, I loved playing since I was a kid and we used to go on Brit- ish seaside holidays and I’d compete against my two brothers.
“And since 2006 my wife and I have travelled round the country at the weekend playing different courses.”
The competition will be shown on Sky Sports at some point during the autumn.
Richard, a marketer who lives on Lady bridge Road and Peter, 50, who lives in Rhyl, had won a regional qualifier in Wrexham.
They then competed on a special 12-hole crazy golf course - also known as adventure golf - at the Belfry.
Richard said: “I like the fact crazy golf is open to anyone, unlike actual golf you just turn up, you don’t need to book a tee off time and you don’t need particular clothing.
“I play a bit of pitch and putt too but I can’t hit distance shots, crazy golf is all about accuracy. You have nowhere to hide and there is no margin for error.
“It can be nerve-wracking if you are playing to win as there will often only be one or two shots in it.
“But you have to put that to the back of your mind and play each hole as it comes.
“It is all about practice, if you can walk the hole before you have your shot and have a good look where you are hitting the ball as there are always unexpected lumps and hazards and maybe a sneaky hidden way to the hole.”