Stern receptionist Madam CC (Karina Garnett) ensures all golfers are masked and sanitised.

Wonder Golf – a fun finale to a crazy year

FROM Fat Tuesday’s musical extravaganza in February through to Bonfire in October, Hastings usually thrives on its fun-packed calendar  of festivals and cultural events. It is perhaps not surprising then that in true Hastings spirit this difficult year of cancelled celebrations is being rounded off with a pop-up nine-hole crazy golf course at The Observer Building in Cambridge Road. Emma Harwood went along to take a shot at the course.

Brought to the town by local charity Leisure and Learning, White Rock Neighbourhood Ventures and Fat Tuesday’s Adam Daly, each hole pays tribute to a festival or much-loved part of the town’s heritage.

Hot competition – Crazy golfer Sam Robertson receiving last minute tips from son Gilbert

With funding from Trinity Triangle Action Zone and Love Hastings Ltd it offers a fun antidote to a crazy year.

Each hole represents a challenge to even the most competitive of crazy-golfers and players have a maximum of six shots for every hole to ensure there are no tailbacks.

Players are directed around the course by an entertaining chaperone who collects any lost balls and hands out tactical tips to those who might require them.

A chaperone recovers errant balls

Golfers need to book a time slot online in groups of no more than four to comply with Covid safety regulations. After their round they can enjoy food prepared by Dandelion of King’s Road St Leonards and refreshments from a licensed bar.

The event runs until Sunday 3 January and also offers a last chance to look inside the historic building which is to undergo major refurbishment next year. It will reopen in 2022 as a community hub providing offices and work studios, capped rent flats, a café and gym.

Wonder Golf costs £6.80 per person and bookings can be made at the Wonder Golf website. 

For more information about the forthcoming transformation of the Observer Building visit the website.

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