09 Jan 2017 at 01:38 | Published by: PatPenguin | Views: 19963 | News search

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.

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