Author Topic: Mike's Great Orme Golf Course  (Read 66923 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline DaveR

  • Administrator
  • Posts: 13712
Mike's Great Orme Golf Course
« on: September 03, 2010, 10:28:14 pm »
(I have revived this thread from the old forum, bringing across the most relevant bits)

Quote
Mike, I had some thoughts to maybe help drum up business for you.
You might have considered them, but ideas such as making sure that the major hotels have your flyers in them.
Also near the tram stations, and the No 73 bus shelter.
Get some signs on lamp-posts on the roads leading up the Orme. Starting before Ty Gwyn Road.
Fester

Quote
OOOOhhhh-I make the headlines and the whole thing goes wrong. Well I suppose that might be a snapshot of my life, am I Frank Spencer in another life. Or----Or----could it be Maesdu, North Wales Golf, Conwy Golf have got together to stifle the opposition? LONG PAUSE No, I don't suppose so!!!
Mike

Quote
How about having a small sign at the bottom of the course, by where the path from Haulfre Gardens to Rofft Gate runs? I think quite a few people use it in Summer.
DaveR

Quote
How about Mike organising a 'Llandudno Local' competition for forum members and then DaveR can send photos of the event into the local press?

This may help successfully launch the new venture.
Bri Roberts

That's a good idea, Bri, assuming we have enough golf playing members. I'd be happy to take some photos.

Quote
I just did a Google search on the course to see what came up and I got:

MINI GOLF - HAULFRE GARDENS Llandudno
9 hole pitch and putt in the scenic surroundings of Haulfre Gardens, Llwynon Road, Great Orme. Also putting green at Happy Valley.
Time Open daily Easter to October, 9am to early evening.
Admission charge YES
Contact: +44 (0)1492 875060

That got me thinking - what's the best way to describe it in terms of its location?
Haulfre Gardens Mini Golf?
Haulfre Gardens Pitch & Putt?
Great Orme Mini Golf?
Great Orme Pitch & Putt?
Whatever name Mike chooses, I think its a very good idea to put a little map showing how to get there on any leaflet he produces!
DaveR

Quote
I agree, that's an excellent idea Bri.

I am not a golfer but I do enjoy a go around a pitch & putt or putting green. And who knows we could create a few "bunkers" at the same time for you Mike to make the course more scenic and realistic. Only joking!!
Stan

Quote
Thanks for all your suggestions, in particular a Llandudno local competition. I had'nt thought of that!!! I've spent a bit of time thinking about the name. As it stands I think it is confusing. As at ths moment it is Great Orme putting green for this one and Happy Valley pitch and putt for the other Municipal golf facility. I feel a complete stranger would think the Happy Valley facility would be the larger. I myself fancy Great Orme 9-hole miniature golf, a bit of a mouthful but---. This is one of the things I will have to discuss with Conwy CBC as soon as pos.
Mike

Quote
Your golf course is right behind my house, and I looked seriously into taking the lease on.
I think it could be a great venture. I'm delighted for you and those who will use it.
When I looked into it I wasn't sure how such a large expanse could be maintained.
Do you have a 'sit and ride' mower? Or will CCBC maintain it for you as part of the lease agreement.

I think your idea of using Great Orme in the name is a good one. However, miniature golf conjours up a vision of a tiny crazy golf course. Yours is a fair old size.
What about calling it Great Orme Family Golf?
That might make tourists make the trip up the road to give the kids something better to do than pumping coins into machines in the arcades?

Like I said the other night....I wish you all the very best of luck with this. I WILL be a customer!
Fester

Quote
I like Fester's idea of Great Orme Family Golf as a name.

With Joe Public, there seems to be a lot of confusion about what Pitch & Putt actually is? I have to confess that I wasn't 100% sure what it meant up until a day or so ago. So its basically a 9 hole course and you have two clubs, one to pitch the ball onto the green, and then another to putt the ball into the hole!

As far as advertising goes, it may be worth asking CCBC what they can offer you, is there a spare space for a large poster on the attraction advertising columns by the Pier gates? There's a couple of websites that list Llandudno's attractions, once Mike is up and running, I will add his details into them.
DaveR

Quote
Fester----If you think because your house is right behind this golf facility---and I'm looking to double/treble the patronage----your risk of a golf ball through your windows is trebled!!! I've heard all about this compensation culture. Mike P.S. Ive looked through the "Emoticons" but I cannot find a "tounge in cheek" sign. I'll reply to your other points when I am in a more serious mood
Mike

Quote
Hello Fester, Thanks for your interest, I'm sorry your long post is lost. I made a few posts in answer to various suggestions from several members, but They are all lost as well and, to be honest, I dont think I can recall all of them. So, rather than appear to be ignoring someones good suggestion, I'm just going to forget every post in this forum from the last week or so. But---your recent points. Grass maintenance is covered by Conwy CBC, some grass will be cut every two weeks, the longer rough stuff every two months or so, fertilisazer every so often. All I have to do is keep it tidy, remove rubbish, maybe trim around the holes. As to a name---I think I'm a clever beggar who has all the best ideas, but---I quite like Great Orme Family Golf. I only wish I had thought of it before you!!! And, if you are going to be a customer, welcome. No charge (wisper, provided you bring three paying people with you) Only joking. Indeed, any members o.f this forum are most welcome to play for free.Of course this cannot last, Conwy CBC will want their pound of flesh in the shape of rent regardless
Mike

Quote
Wouldn't dream of playing for free and taking advantage of you, instead if you let me know when you are opening I'll make plans to give you some patronage very soon.
It would have to be one helluva wayward shot to hit my house, its just by Wyddford School on Llwynon Rd.
The goats are a bigger threat to my house !!
Fester

Quote
You definitely need better advertising, I didn't know about the pitch and putt until reading this thread.
So are there 5 golf related activities situated on the Orme?
Brumbob

Quote
Well, I can think of four including my own. What is this fifth one? Go on, spoil my day!!
Mike

Quote
Are we including the Putting green at West Shore as being on the Orme? If so....

West Shore Putting Green
Mike's Great Orme Family Golf
Summit Crazy Golf
Happy Valley Putting Green
Alpine Adventure Golf at the Ski Slope
DaveR

Quote
oops miscount  I was including http://www.williamsgolf.co.uk/section/15/golf_design_GOLF_TO_RETURN_TO_THE_GREAT_ORME?.html
Brumbob
Quote
That was an optimistic scheme, to say the least! No chance CCBC would allow it on the Orme.
DaveR

Quote
Might even come and visit when I am on one of my rambles !
Nemesis

Quote
Phew, thats a relief, I need more competition like a hole in the head. Lets just have holes in one. Nemesis, feel free to ramble around the course, I have been told already that I will be doing plenty of that,picking up beer cans etc after the night before.
Mike

Quote
There's not many golf courses (including St Andrews) that can rival the view from this one. If you manage to get some advertising flyers' going Mike, maybe you could display a photo similar to this one:

"Panoramic views of Llandudno, Anglesey, the Carneddau mountain range and beyond"

"Refreshments" is always a good bet - especially for people who have made their way up there, and played a few rounds in the summer.
I seem to remember you have a van Mike? You could get a hold of some plastic patio furniture - couple of tables and some chairs, then lay them out on the edge of the course for patrons to rest after playing, or for parents/grandparents to wait while the kids are playing etc.

Buy a bulk load of snack food, chocolate biscuits, sweets, cakes (Mr Kippling does make exceedingly good ones), sodas etc, which you could sell for a small profit, which can then be consumed at the patio furniture 'picnic area' (don't forget a rubbish bin). I'm not sure if there's an electricity supply in that hut in order to boil a kettle for teas & coffees? You could always progress to filled sandwiches & rolls if it takes-off.
Steve

Quote
Some good ideas, Steve, especially having the tables and chairs. Mike will know better, but I don't think there's any electricity or water laid on to the hut? He could always have a large cooler bag filled with cans/bottles etc
. DaveR

Quote
Everyone joining in with great ideas...really encouraging!

If you don't fancy the outlay or hassle of offering food and drinks then what about having a reciprocal arrangement with The Kings Head Pub and Haulfre Gardens tea rooms. (Both very close by)
Along the lines of, they display your advert including prices and more importantly directions. I return you could advertise those places on your scorecards...or just by word of mouth at the end of each round?
Fester

Quote
Fester, you've reminded me that I was going to suggest that Mike has a stock of his leaflets on the counter or a poster in the Haulfre Gardens tearooms
. DaveR

Quote
Just read all these posts with suggestions, 22.15 p.m., only just got in from painting the boxes to go on the teeing off spots. So please excuse me if I don't reply until tomorrow.But I must write to Steve. It was just plain ignorant to give you someone elses name, all I can say is Sorry, and I mean it. In real life face to face conversations I don't use peoples name at all, but in forums I do, a lot, because its the only way to identify who you are "speaking" TO. So thats my excuse, not much of one
Mike

Quote
You have indeed been busy Mike!
My wife commented that the teeing off markers (red ones) are in place. All systems go then!
Fester
Quote
No, far from it. The main delay is getting Public liability insurance, without that Conwy cbc wont issue a licence. Quite apart from the fact that the premium has gone up since last year (paid by the previous operator) from £200 and something to a MINIMUM of £500, apparantly all the brokers are luke warm, they don't really want to do it. Ive got two firms hunting for me, one of which has arranged the insurance up here for over 25 years. The excuse they are getting is, guess what, its all because of the losses the insurers have made recently. So stray golf balls in Llwynon Road are putting the worldwide financial market in danger.
Mike

Quote
Mike, I used G.M.Imber for my P.L.Insurance.
They specialise in niche businesses...and I found them very cheap indeed. Much less than £200 for me.
Fester

Quote
Steve and Fester, thanks very much indeed. I must say that I had never heard of this firm, but I've been on their website and downloaded and sent off an application form. So I am keeping my fingers crossed. Just as a matter of interest, I only started trying to get this insurance around a week ago. Because it was only a week or so ago I was told I could have the golf site. The previous operator of 24 years experience up there told me yesterday I would take £300 on the weekend, £100 each day on Saturday,Sunday and Monday. He was serious. So,in view of the fact that the rental has been agreed for the whole of the summer, I am, in effect, £300 out of pocket already, and I hav'ent even opened. So, I'm not a very happy bunny (or goat) Mike P.S.Never mind free rounds of golf, if my application goes through for less than £500 and reasonably quickly, it'll be free beer for certain forum members.
Mike

Quote
Free beer!  I hope you used first-class postage Mike!
Steve

Quote
Too true I used first class post, if East Grinstead was a bit nearer I'd have taken it by hand. To reply to various questions in the last few posts, no, I havent got a plan of the course. I've had a few problems in finding out where to put the teeing off markers, I think I've cracked it now. Refreshments. A very good idea, but I will have to tread very carefully here for fear of upsetting anyone. There are no toilets on the course. I am told that the nearest available to the public are in a cafe somewhere you get to from the bottom, so, I presume this is the Haulfre Gardens Cafe you mention. If my golfers are wandering in there and using their toilets, the last thing I want would be to upset them in any way i.e. selling refreshments. So, in a day or two I'll take a walk down there, find it, introduce myself and hopefully have a chat. I certainly won't mention food, there is nothing more likely to get a business persons back up than a newcomer coming along and his ideas spoil everything for every other trader. And then just see how it goes, it could be that they wer'nt bothered, but only time will tell.
Mike

Quote
You've been incorrectly informed, Mike.  The nearest toilets are Public Toilets in Haulfre Gardens, quite separate from the Cafe. If you do down to the bottom bit of the course, through the gate on the right, and then keep left as you go downwards, you will come out at the Toilet block.

The Haulfre cafe owners are very pleasant people, I don't think you'd have a problem with them stocking your leaflets or a small poster. You're catering to a different market really, as far as refreshments go. I also think a small sign just by where the path down from the course comes out by the toilets is worth a try, even if its just a laminated A4 cardboard one.

I'll be in the area tomorrow lunchtime, so I will come up and take a look hopefully.
DaveR

Quote
Yes, taking a walk down to the cafe and introducing yourself is a good idea Mike. A reciprocal arrangement as Fester suggested may also benefit both business' "you scratch my back I'll scratch yours" so to speak.
Steve

Quote
Fester here again, poking his nose in with some words which I think might console you Mike.
You certainly are not £300 out of pocket, because the guy who owned it before will have been comparing takings with previous Easters.
This one has been a wash out because of the weather, just ask any of the traders on the Pier. You have avoided spending 2 or 3 miserable days sat in a hut watching grey drizzle.
There is nothing doing this Easter on any trade which takes place outdoors. Trust me I've suffered!

Roll on the warmer weather and the ''real'' holiday season.
Fester

Quote
Forgot to say, I was talking to this family by Black Gate whilst looking at the stalled trams and they said they were on their way up to play golf at Mike's course! So I gave them the bad news and said he should be up and running by next weekend hopefully.
DaveR

Quote
Oh, Dave, what can I possibly say? I would have loved to have met you at the course, indeed,I would love to have met anyone. I spent most of yesterday up there messing around and prepared to tell any customers that I would open asop. But No one came. Today I thought it was a pointless exercise telling people I was there, ready to go but I couldnt let them on!! I couldnt get any timber to spend time securing the shed to pass .the time. Also, having been a trader of one sort or another for most of my life, I knew that if people turned up with cash in their hand, I would have been tempted. And, I am fairly sure Conwy CBC knew this as well, I was told fairly sternly not to let anyone play under any circumstances until the agreement was signed. They must have read my mind. So I knew it wasent a fair risk, for a tenner or so I could have been caught out and thrown off for good before even opening. So I thought, if I'm not there, I wont be tempted. And I miss meeting Snakecorp.
Mike

Quote
What would be a good idea, Mike, would be to attach a poster to the door of the shed, saying something like 'Great Orme Family Golf - Opening Soon', so that any regulars (like the family I spoke to) wont think that it has shut down for good. Once you're up and running, a similar poster with opening times etc, may be a good idea also.
DaveR



Offline DaveR

  • Administrator
  • Posts: 13712
Re: Mike's Great Orme Golf Course
« Reply #1 on: September 03, 2010, 10:30:39 pm »
Just to say that most of the posts above date from earlier in the year when Mike was setting up his Pitch & Putt course up on the Orme. I'll leave it to Mike when he next pops in to update us all on how he's done this season.

I believe he's staying open until the end of October (weather permitting), all the details on how to find the course are on the website here:
http://ormegolf.blogspot.com/


Offline Fester

  • Ad Free Member.
  • *
  • Posts: 6660
  • El Baldito
Re: Mike's Great Orme Golf Course
« Reply #2 on: September 05, 2010, 01:36:35 am »
Fester here...
Can you hear me Major?
Its my first stab at this new fangled Forum

I came home from work in the gloomy evening light tonight...it was raining approx 6.30pm, and Mike was STILL open and STILL had customers, so I hope (if you are listening) ..you are raking it in my friend.

 D)
Fester...
- Semper in Excretum, Sole Profundum Variat -

Offline Nemesis

  • Management board member
  • *
  • Posts: 6276
Re: Mike's Great Orme Golf Course
« Reply #3 on: September 05, 2010, 11:36:48 am »
A fair few been there when I have come down from the Orme in the mornings. Keep up the good work Mike
Mad, Bad and Dangerous to know.

Offline DaveR

  • Administrator
  • Posts: 13712
Re: Mike's Great Orme Golf Course
« Reply #4 on: September 07, 2010, 10:38:09 pm »
I just found this old photo, titled as 'Mickey & Brian - Haulfre Pitch & Putt'. Can anyone tell us more about it - it was uploaded to the old forum at some point:

Offline Trojan

  • Member
  • Posts: 3327
Re: Mike's Great Orme Golf Course
« Reply #5 on: September 09, 2010, 02:39:13 am »
Looks like Hugo sitting on the right, if I'm not mistaken.  8)

Offline DaveR

  • Administrator
  • Posts: 13712
Re: Mike's Great Orme Golf Course
« Reply #6 on: October 25, 2010, 08:52:52 pm »
i saw this comment on one of the BBC webpages about Llandudno. Seen any ghostly monk golfers, Mike?

Alison, Llandudno
Several years ago my two boys were playing golf on the Great Orme mini golf course after closing. It was just starting to go dark and they were taking turns when one of my boys looked across to the houses by Tyn Y Coed Road. They explained that, floating above the houses on the top of the Orme rock, was a man in a brown cloak, which was tied around his middle. They said it was a cloak with a hood and the hood was up. The man appear to be watching them, but the scary thing was he was floating above the Orme! They did not appear scared by this sighting as they mentioned it in a matter of fact manner a few days later. I understand that years ago monks used to reside on the Orme. Has anyone else had a similar experience?
Mon Jan 12 10:17:03 2009

Offline Hugo

  • Management board member
  • *
  • Posts: 13881
Re: Mike's Great Orme Golf Course
« Reply #7 on: October 26, 2010, 11:57:14 am »
Yes that's me on the right Trojan and Mickey Kirkham (Jas' youngest brother) on the left.    It was taken over 50 years ago which is quite frightening!

Offline Trojan

  • Member
  • Posts: 3327
Re: Mike's Great Orme Golf Course
« Reply #8 on: October 26, 2010, 05:31:53 pm »
I heard you were a caddy for St Tudno Hugo.  8)

Offline Barbiroli

  • Ad Free Member
  • *
  • Posts: 896
Re: Mike's Great Orme Golf Course
« Reply #9 on: November 02, 2010, 04:21:52 pm »
Saw your advert on the prom in Colwyn Bay today Mike so i take it you are still open.

Offline Michael

  • Ad Free Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1623
Re: Mike's Great Orme Golf Course
« Reply #10 on: November 03, 2010, 09:09:24 pm »
EErrrr----NO. I take it you mean my trailer which was parked (abandoned) towards the Old Colwyn end.  I finished at the course on Sunday evening so, for the first time all summer, Monday this trailer was parked more or less outside where I live.  Give it the benefit of the doubt, Three hours later I get messages, "we cannot see out of our windows, a nasty trailer is stuck outside."    Needless to say the nearest window was about fifty yards away and about 20 feet higher!!!  So, in a temper, I shifted it down to the nearest place I could think of, the prom. Now its well away, before the CBC had a chance to have a go at me

Offline Trojan

  • Member
  • Posts: 3327
Re: Mike's Great Orme Golf Course
« Reply #11 on: November 03, 2010, 09:11:46 pm »
EErrrr----NO. I take it you mean my trailer which was parked (abandoned) towards the Old Colwyn end.  I finished at the course on Sunday evening so, for the first time all summer, Monday this trailer was parked more or less outside where I live.  Give it the benefit of the doubt, Three hours later I get messages, "we cannot see out of our windows, a nasty trailer is stuck outside."    Needless to say the nearest window was about fifty yards away and about 20 feet higher!!!  So, in a temper, I shifted it down to the nearest place I could think of, the prom. Now its well away, before the CBC had a chance to have a go at me

.......or Oscar.  ;D

Offline Michael

  • Ad Free Member
  • *
  • Posts: 1623
Re: Mike's Great Orme Golf Course
« Reply #12 on: November 04, 2010, 08:26:56 pm »
Why Oscar?   Is he that sort of a person, or has he got a particular objection to trailers?  Ive have read his blog very occasionally, I could'nt really get into it, so I dont know much about him, only what I have read about him in this forum  I doubt very much if I would ever be a reader in the future, I cannot really afford any more of my time reading blogs and certainly not on a regular basis

Offline DaveR

  • Administrator
  • Posts: 13712
Re: Mike's Great Orme Golf Course
« Reply #13 on: November 04, 2010, 08:35:11 pm »
There's not that many local blogs left to read, Mike! Quite a few of them seem to have shut up shop in the last few months.  ;)

Offline Hugo

  • Management board member
  • *
  • Posts: 13881
Re: Mike's Great Orme Golf Course
« Reply #14 on: November 04, 2010, 08:55:58 pm »
Hi Mike, I see that you've hung your clubs up for the season.  You've put many hours into that venture of yours so I hope you enjoyed it all and had a good season.
You can put your feet up a bit now and relax and I hope you get to go on that holiday that you were talking to me about.
I'll look forward to reading all about it on the forum.