I’ve never been much of a winter outdoors enthusiast since graduating from the days of sledding down hills with my playmates as a kid. While I’m enjoying the beginning of the Winter Olympics this week like most, I prefer to cheer on the US contenders hearthside near the TV. So when members of my summertime golf league asked if I wanted to join them in last Saturday’s frozen celebration of winter, the 26th annual Chilly Open golf tournament on Lake Minnetonka in Wayzata, my knee-jerk response was, “heck NO!” But after a bit of coaxing I relented, vowing to give it a try as long as it wasn’t 20-below.

Much to my surprise, I’m glad I traded in my seasonal curmudgeon hat for winter-ready head gear and gave it a go. It was a blast. A scene like no other I’ve witnessed during my 10 years here in Minnesota. Pros and duffers alike swatting tennis balls with golf clubs and hockey sticks through narrow nine-hole courses carved out of extremely thick ice with plenty of natural and man-made obstructions. Getting caught in the rough took on a whole new dimension—I’ll never grouse again about lying off the fairway after trying to hit out of two-foot snow drifts.

The Chilly Open was no place for regulation golf. Twelve-somes, eight-somes and the occasional four-some like us teed up for bad golf and lots of laughs. And boy, were there laughs. In keeping with this year’s Olympic-inspired theme “All Around the World,” participants donned costumes, elaborate (mostly Nordic) headwear and even decorated sleds full of beer to celebrate the occasion. Even a few rugged pooches were adorned for the day. Special homage goes to the Viking ship “caddy” that was towing enough libations to last through 36 holes (we only played 9).

Scores aside, the Chilly Open opened my eyes to the potential for winter fun and mayhem here in Minnesota. I’ll still take playing 18 on Minnesota’s many beautiful golf courses on perfect summer days, but in the meantime the Chilly Open is a good excuse to get back in the swing as winter draws near its close and spring closes in.

-Steph Haugan

Tennis ball in the "rough"

A Viking "caddy" ship navigates the frozen Lake Minnetonka

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