Snow golf is a sport based on golf but played over snow (or ice) instead of grass. The “greens” are called “whites” and have an ice surface
The discovery of modern snow golf is credited to Rudyard Kipling, an avid golfer. While writing The Jungle Book in Vermont, Kipling allegedly relaxed by playing snow golf during the winters of the early 1890s. Kipling painted his golf balls red and placed red cups in the snow.
The annual World Ice Golf Championship has been held on the world’s northernmost golf course on the shelf ice near Uummannaq, Greenland since 1997. The course is reformed by the moving ice every year and play is highly dependent on weather conditions. Competitors are allowed a maximum handicap of 36. Clubs with graphite shafts are not recommended, as they can shatter in the extreme temperatures.
An annual Snow Golf Championship in Argentina has been held in Cerro Castor, Ushuaia since 2007, by José García Daroca.
The first Snowgolf World Championship for amateurs was carried out in January 2007 in Abtenau, Austria. With Adi Hengstberger from Germany, the first Snowgolf World Champion was founded. The event is hosted as a major Austrian celebrity event and sponsored by the state of Salzburg as part of the touristic scheme. The second Snowgolf World Championship took place in Obertauern, Austria.
Thanks to the “Million Dollar Putt” contest, the official Championship on playing golf on snow title was the biggest prize for an amateur golf event in the world up to now. Alongside amateur competitors, many big names from sport and showbiz were trying to sink their “Million Dollar Putt” for important causes – “Wings for Life” (Spinal Cord Research Foundation) and “Eagles Charity Golf Club”.
In the end nobody could pull off the big putt, and the prize remains unclaimed until the next championship. Adi Hengstberger retained his 2007 title. The runners-up were Tristan David (Philippines) and Peter Dobrowolsky (Austria). The new woman’s World Champion was Sarah Hölzl (Austria).
The first European Championship in Snow Golf was held in Switzerland January, 2011. 72 qualifiers’ were entitled to play the 2-day tournament.
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