ON THE FIRST TEE...
With Nick Dietzen
Have you ever prepared yourself for something you know that is going to set you off, trigger you, provoke your emotions and surprisingly or not you don’t make it very far into that something and are unsuccessful at controlling your emotions any better than the last time the situation came up?
That’s February for me. I know it’s coming, it’s right there on the calendar, it’s the shortest month of the year even. My phone’s weather apps make me cringe with the “feels like” temperature. It doesn’t “feel like” the shortest month to me as it has routinely
taken top billing as the coldest month of the year here in Montana. I warned myself, “it’s going to be really cold, there’s nothing you can do about it and it’s going end at some point, and we’ll be that much closer to golf season.” February rolls around and the 10day weather forecast resembles the Waste Management Phoenix Open Leaderboard: -25, -21, -17, -4. No birdies or eagles in sight, but a lot of minuses.
In recent years I’ve tried to incorporate some cross-country skiing into my winter routine to break up the winter. Although I
did not grow up doing it, I have enjoyed getting out and it never fails to surprise me how many hearty folks are out even when the temperature drops below my version of appropriate conditions to be outside. What does any of this have to do with golf? Etiquette.
On Super Bowl Sunday, we had a balmy break in the forecast with highs into double digits above zero. My friend and I went out for some skiing and on a couple instances, there were some near collisions as skiers coming up from behind did not make their presence known. I’m no expert in the etiquette of this activity, but I would assume we’re all on the same page about not wanting to collide with a stranger even if it’s Super Bowl Sunday and you’re excited for the big game.
I spoke to my more experienced skiing friends and learned a little about their understanding of skiing etiquette and it made me think about some other activities where you shouldn’t take for granted anyone’s general behavior. Golfers are nuts for etiquette, the traditions, practices and expectations are numerous for the experienced golfer – the thing is, we have a lot of new golfers taking up the game and I think that’s great. I also think it poses the challenge for us all to find a way rather than to chastise a stranger for a mis -
MSGA ABOUT US
BOARD OF DIRECTORS - OFFICERS
PRESIDENT................................................... Peter Benson
VICE PRESIDENT.................................. Ron Ramsbacher
TREASURER....................................................... Bill Dunn
PAST PRESIDENT............................................. Carla Berg
WOMEN’S CHAIR........................................ Mary Bryson
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Brett Bennyhoff, Peter Benson, Carla Berg, Mary Bryson, Bill Dunn, Cheri Ellis, Lisa Forsberg, Marcia Hafner, Ron Ramsbacher, Karen Rice, Joe Rossman, Rod Stirling
MSGA STAFF
Executive Director......................................... Nick Dietzen
Tournament Director...................................... Tim Bakker
Membership Operations Director............... Emily Hulsey
Member Services Coordinator......................... Ian Hulsey
Communications & Tournament Manager.... Katie Fagg
Communcations Coordinator.......................... Ty Sparing
Partnerships & Business Development.......... Jess Miller
PARTNERSHIPS
Jess Miller.................................. 1 (800) 628-3752, ext. 5
406GOLF STAFF
Editor in Chief............................................... Nick Dietzen
Consulting Editor........................................ David Bataller
Senior Writer..................................................... Ty Sparing
Graphic Designer............................................... Katie Fagg
Montana State Golf Association P.O. Box 4306 Helena, MT 59604 1 (800) 628-3752 www.msgagolf.org
cue, to provide them some guidance as they may not be as fortunate to have learned the game from a grandparent, parent or friend. A lot of times they just don’t know.
The number one frustration that course operators run into from a complaint standpoint is slow play. At the MSGA, our tournaments, overall, have moved along faster. Our pace-of-play is by no means perfect, but thanks to help from volunteers and staff communicating the importance of pace of play has led to better outcomes. We also are conducting championships where more deliberate action can sometimes lead to slower-than-average play from a procedure angle. Lining up a three-footer isn’t as common on a Thursday evening with your friends. This is the exception, though, most of our membership is not competing in the majority of the rounds they play. So why is play so slow?
There are a lot of reasons, too many to detail in this simple column, but for me the best advice I’ve seen came recently from golf
legend, Dottie Pepper. You can read more about her observations and passion for why the slow play epidemic could be a threat for the success of the game here.
In sum, Pepper comes back to the easiest rule for us to follow, respect. Whether it’s respect for the course, your fellow golfers, the strangers behind you and even yourself – the game is better when no one is waiting on you.
I’ve played with golfers who’ve shot well above 100 in less than four hours and golfers who’ve shot under par in over five and-a-half hours. I can tell you who I’d rather play with again if I had the choice.
Basically, what I’m trying to say is I’m sick of cross-country skiing. But seriously, golf’s not too far away and in this case – it will be worth the wait.
1. What brought you to the MSGA?
I had worked as an adjunct professor at Carroll College for a number of years and spent what felt like an infinite amount of years in grad school. There came a point where I felt burnt out and pessimistic about the state of higher education. When I started looking for other things to do for work I came across the Boatwright Internship opportunity and realized that even old guys like me can apply for it, so I did.
The original Boatwright contract I signed was for five months, and I figured hanging out at golf courses might be a nice way to pass the time while I contemplated a new career path. It was lucky timing that the MSGA was looking to grow the staff so I was eventually hired on for a permanent position and now I’m going on my fourth year with the organization.
2. Can you briefly explain your role withing the MSGA?
My official MSGA title is Communications and Marketing Coordinator, and for 406Golf Magazine I’m the Senior Writer. When I started as a Boatwright intern and shortly after, I kind of did a little bit of everything, so for a while my role was just doing whatever was needed.
As our staff has grown our roles have become a little more singular, and so lately I’ve been doing a lot of writing. Whether it’s press releases during tournament season,
constant contact emails, producing minutes for our board meetings, or creating a variety of content for 406Golf Magazine, I find myself typing a lot. It’s something I enjoy and I really like working with the whole publication team.
Aside from producing words I occasionally help out on some marketing and sponsorship type of projects, and during the tournament season you’ll see me helping out on the course.
3. What is your favorite MSGA program and why?
The online magazine would be an obvious choice, so I’ll mention something else.
I’ve really come to enjoy working the tournaments. It was intimidating at first because I’m not coming from a golf background so I tried to scale up quick on golf lingo and general expectations for tournament play.
But now that I’ve been doing it awhile, I really like getting out and seeing the beautiful courses, watching great golf, eating good food, talking to all the nice people – it’s pretty much always a positive experience.
Similar to the publication team, I also really enjoy working with the tournament team, it makes a huge difference having a job where you appreciate all your co-workers.
4. What is your favorite memory as a golf administrator?
There’s a lot of good memories at this point, but I’ll share an early memory. It was my very first tournament that I worked as a Boatwright intern, and we were at Old Works in late May of 2022 for the Montana State Four-Ball Championship.
Working for MSGA at the time was outgoing Executive Director Jim Opitz, Nick who was in his first year as the new Executive Director, and me the intern. It pretty much snowed the whole time, that late spring slush type of snow. We had a few delays. At one point after being out on the course as a marshall Jim texted us his new nickname: “Soggy Jim.”
Later that first night the three of us (and Emily on call), were up late trying to get
the new printer to print off the scorecards properly (if you remember the famous scene from the movie Office Space, that’s pretty much how the MSGA staff feels about printers). Nick ended up spending all night on the phone with some IT guy about it, and I’m not sure if he slept at all while we were in Anaconda.
The next day was similar weather and kind of hectic dealing with the delays. At one point Jim uttered a line from a showtune, if I’m remembering the words correctly went: “I’m reviewing the situation.” That became our mantra that summer whenever things were getting crazy, and it always brought a little levity to the situation. Old Works was definitely a memorable first tournament and if anything it set the tone for the rest of the summer that the three of us were gonna get the job done one way or
Ty Sparing (right) with Jim Opitz (left) and Nick Dietzen
the other.
I’ll also add that almost anytime I’m out on a golf cart in the morning sun keeping pace of play or spotting balls there’ll be moments when I’m waiting for a group to come around and everything feels really quiet and calm and I look at the beautiful place I’m sitting, and the glorious mountains in the background and the only thing I hear is the wind or maybe a bird or something, and I take a bite out of my egg sandwich that I ordered to go, and I’ll think to myself “if this isn’t nice, I don’t know what is.”
5. What is something new you've learned about golf since you've been working in the industry?
Slow players get a lot of ire.
6. What is your favorite course in Montana and why?
I’d have to say Bill Roberts in Helena because I grew up down the street from it, and it’s the course I’ve spent the most time on. I really like their food at Muni’s too.
If I’m not going hometown course I’d say Old Works. The course is obviously immaculate and they have a cool new renovated clubhouse with great food options. But really it’s awesome to work there because the people are great.
7. Who introduced you to golf?
Tiger Woods pretty much. I was in middle school when he started taking off and golf got really popular all the sudden so me and a lot of my friends bought summer passes for a few years at Bill Roberts. It faded for a bit when I got to high school and participated in different sports.
In my adult life it’s been more my parents. They’re out at Green Meadow and my
dad’s become a pretty avid golfer so I’ll go out and play with him a little bit. They keep up with the pro tours as well, so it’s always interesting hearing their thoughts on some of the players and whatnot.
8. What is your dream celebrity foursome (living or dead)? Why would you choose them?
Well trying not to overthink it here, and if we’re talking celebrities I’d be looking to have a good time so I’ll invite John Daly. Evel Knieval would be another one. People don’t realize he was actually pretty good at golf and I bet I’d see a few antics on the course. I’d let those two ride together in the same cart.
I’d probably ride with Robin Williams or somebody like that who could keep us laughing the whole time. Plus, I don’t think he golfed so there would be somebody in the group I might be able to beat.
As an honorary fifth member I’d take Arnold Palmer because he seemed like a classy guy that could help me keep the other guys from getting out of control.
9. If you could change one thing about golf, what would it be?
I would create more courses that have fewer holes. Like a 5-hole course. I think doing this would lessen the cost barriers for entry into the golf world, and it would give people an option if they didn’t quite have 2-4 hours of availability. Plus in the original formulation of the game the number of holes was fairly irrelevant, it was all about what the land could provide.
Bonus: Lay up or go for it?
I’m gonna lay-up, otherwise I wouldn’t have any balls left in the bag by the time I was done with the round.
BOBCATS AND GRIZZLIES BEGIN SPRING PORTION
BY TY SPARING MSGA COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
Montana’s two Big Sky Conference golf teams recently shook off the frost of winter in Palm Springs and Litchfield Park, Arizona respectively, as they set off to begin the spring portion of their season.
Montana State is coming into spring ranked third in the Big Sky Conference after a fantastic fall, that saw individual wins from Lauren Greeny and Becca Tschetter. With several
All-Conference golfers on the team, and lots of depth, the Bobcats have thus far been one of the best teams in the Big Sky.
University of Montana meanwhile had a solid fall as well. They have a young and growing team with second year coach Jimmy Mee at the helm. This spring they’ll be looking to gain some valuable experience and are likely to keep getting better and better.
University of Montana's Elle Higgins tees off at the Bowling Green Intercollegiate.
Montana State University at the Mountain Classic Match Play
Montana State’s first event of the season was in Palm Springs for the Mountain Classic Match Play event. Playing at The Classic Club, the Bobcats were looking forward to finally playing outside.
It didn’t go quite as hoped with three team losses, but shaking the rust off is half the battle in these early spring events. Individually Becca Tschetter set the tone with two victories and only one loss in her first match. Maddie Montoya, Scarlet Weidig, and Lauren Greeny all notched one victory apiece over the three days.
Montana golf fans might’ve recognized two-time State Junior Champion (2021, 2022) Macee Greenwood at the event. The Corvallis native Greenwood competes for Boise State University. She collected one win on the final day of the Match Play.
Montana State’s next event is in Phoenix for the GCU Invitational, held February 24-26. For full results of the Mountain Classic Match Play, CLICK HERE
University of Montana at the Bowling Green Intercollegiate
While their cross-state rivals were in Palm Springs, the University of Montana golf team was also in sunny weather in Litchfield Park, Arizona for the Bowling Green Intercollegiate. Held at the Wigwam Golf Club, the Griz were competing against thirteen other teams.
Like with the Bobcats, the Griz were coming out of hibernation and just getting outside for a chance to play real golf was half the battle. They ultimately finished in 11th as a team with a final three round score of 943.
Elle Higgins led the way for the Grizzlies finishing tied for 15th place with a three-round score of 229 (75-80-74).
Higgins was followed by Raina Ports who finished at 235 (83-78-74) which put her in a tie for 41st place.
UM will have a little wait for their next tournament in Sedona, Arizona. The Red Rocks Invitational is held March 14-16.
For full Bowling Green Intercollegiate results, CLICK HERE.
MSU Athletics
Montana State's Maddie Montoya watches shot at the Mountain Classic Match Play.
INTRODUCING THE NEW USGA MOISTURE METER
BY JORDAN BOOTH SENIOR DIRECTOR, COURSE CONSULTING SERVICES
In 1920, the USGA Green Section was established to conduct turfgrass research and develop best practices for golf course construction and maintenance. Since then, our team has been focused on turning research into applied solutions for golf courses. This week, we unveiled an exciting new tool at the GCSAA Conference and Trade Show in San Diego to continue that legacy – the USGA Moisture Meter.
The USGA Moisture Meter was created in collaboration with the METER Group, a lead-
ing company that develops cloud-connected scientific instruments for the agricultural, environmental and geotechnical industries. The Green Section was familiar with the quality of METER Group products and the expertise of their team because of connections through our research program. As we looked for opportunities to work together in support of the golf course maintenance industry, the most obvious first step was a hand-held moisture meter that connects to our DEACON® data management system.
The USGA Moisture Meter measures soil moisture, salinity and temperature with a high
The new USGA Moisture Meter measures soil moisture, salinity and temperature with research-grade accuracy, and it can deliver all that data directly into the DEACON management system.
level of accuracy, and it delivers that information directly into DEACON so you can easily relate those data points to other metrics like putting green firmness for improved management. It also has a protective tine cover and a cart mount to help protect the unit from wear and tear as it’s driven around the course.
The USGA Green Section has long been focused on optimizing golf course water use. Moisture management is critical to successful turfgrass management, golf course playability, and environmental stewardship. In 2023, our research program director, Dr. Cole Thompson, summarized two peer-reviewed journal articles in the Green Section Record article “The Value of Turfgrass Research.” This article highlights the labor efficiency and playing condition im-
provements that superintendents report from using hand-held moisture meters.
At this year’s GCSAA Conference and Trade Show, we also released the USGA Water Conservation Playbook. This comprehensive document details a range of strategies that will help golf courses optimize irrigation and use less water. These strategies fit a range of budgets and water conservation goals, and are explained in great detail.
The conjunction of these two releases is not an accident. Both the USGA Moisture Meter and the USGA Water Conservation Playbook represent our ongoing commitment and investment in helping golf courses use water as efficiently as possible through research-based solutions.
Click Here for more from the USGA Green Section Record ‒including the latest articles and videos on sustainable management practices that produce better playing conditions for better golf.
USGA ANNOUNCES QUALIFYING SITES FOR 125TH U.S. OPEN AT OAKMONT COUNTRY CLUB
LIBERTY CORNER, N.J. (USGA) – The United States Golf Association (USGA) today announced local and final qualifying sites for the 125th U.S. Open Championship. The U.S. Open will be contested at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club for a record 10th time from June 12-15.
Local qualifying, conducted over 18 holes at 110 sites in 43 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico, will take place between April 16-May 19. Those advancing players will join a group of locally exempt competitors in final qualifying, which will be conducted over 36 holes. This final stage will be held in England and Japan (May 19) and Canada (June 2) as well as 10 U.S. sites, one on May 19 and the remaining nine on June 2.
Online player registration for the 2025 U.S. Open will begin on Wednesday, Feb. 19, at champs.usga.org and will continue through 5 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, April 9.
The USGA accepted 10,052 entries for the 2024 championship at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club’s Course No. 2. It was the third time entries surpassed the 10,000-mark. The record of 10,187 was established in 2023 at The Los Angeles (Calif.) Country Club’s North Course.
To be eligible, an amateur must have a Handicap Index® not exceeding 0.4, or be a professional. There are 14 local qualifying sites in California, the most of any state. Florida will host 13 local qualifiers.
Ken Venturi (1964) and Orville Moody (1969) are the only players to win the U.S. Open after qualifying through both local and final stages. Gene Littler (1961), Julius Boros (1963), Jerry Pate (1976), Steve Jones (1996),
Michael Campbell (2005) and Lucas Glover (2009) won after advancing through final qualifying.
Several U.S. Open champions have advanced to the championship through both local and final qualifying at some point in their careers, including Glover, David Graham, Lou Graham, Hale Irwin, Tony Jacklin, Lee Janzen, Tom Kite, Johnny Miller, Corey Pavin, Curtis Strange, Lee Trevino, Gary Woodland and Fuzzy Zoeller.
The U.S. Open was previously contested at Oakmont (Pa.) Country Club in 1927, 1935, 1953, 1962, 1973, 1983, 1994, 2007 and 2016. World Golf Hall of Famers Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, Ernie Els, Tommy Armour, Larry Nelson and Miller are among the champions. As an anchor site, Oakmont will also host the U.S. Open in 2033, 2042 and 2049.
2025 U.S. Open Championship Local Qualifying Sites (110)*
Wednesday, April 16 (1)
Innisbrook Golf Resort & Spa (Copperhead Course), Palm Harbor, Fla.
Monday, April 21 (3)
Cypress Run G.C., Tarpon Springs, Fla.
The King Kamehameha G.C., Wailuku, HI
The Territory G. & C.C., Duncan, Okla.
Tuesday, April 22 (3)
Three Ridges Golf Course, Knoxville, Tenn. Towhee Club, Spring Hill, Tenn.
Missoula Country Club - May 13, 2025
Druids Glen G.C., Covington, Wash.
Wednesday, April 23 (1)
Stonewall Orchard G.C., Grayslake, Ill.
Friday, April 25 (1)
Otter Creek Golf Course, Columbus, Ind.
Monday, April 28 (8)
Tucson (Ariz.) C.C.
El Niguel C.C., Laguna Niguel, Calif.
Doublegate C.C., Albany, Ga.
Pinehurst R. & C.C. (Course No. 6), Village of Pinehurst, N.C.
Essex County C.C., West Orange, N.J.
Brookville C.C., Glen Head, N.Y.
Shadow Hills C.C., Junction City, Ore.
Abilene (Texas) C.C. (South Course)
Tuesday, April 29 (2)
Weymouth C.C., Medina, Ohio
Cedar Creek Golf Course, San Antonio, TX
Wednesday, April 30 (2)
Canongate on White Oak (Old Course), Newnan, Ga.
Solina G.C., West Columbia, S.C.
Thursday, May 1 (6)
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, Maricopa, Ariz.
La Purisima G.C., Lompoc, Calif.
Woodway C.C., Darien, Conn.
Crumpin-Fox Club, Bernardston, Mass.
CasaBlanca G.C., Mesquite, Nev.
C.C. of York, York, Pa.
Sunday, May 4 (1)
Koasati Pines at Coushatta, Kinder, La. USGA
15,
Monday, May 5 (16)
Phoenix (Ariz.) C.C.
Indian Ridge C.C. (Grove Course), Palm Desert, Calif.
The Grand G.C., San Diego, Calif.
Pensacola (Fla.) C.C.
Marsh Creek C.C., St. Augustine, Fla.
Wellington National G.C., Wellington, Fla.
Briar Ridge C.C., Schererville, Ind.
South Bend (Ind.) C.C.
Crestview C.C. (North Course), Wichita, KS
Northwest Golf Course, Silver Spring, Md.
Eagle Eye G.C., Bath Township, Mich.
Maketewah C.C., Cincinnati, Ohio
Highland Meadows G.C., Sylvania, Ohio
The C.C. of Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Lakeside C.C., Houston, Texas
Alpine C.C., Highland, Utah
Tuesday, May 6 (13)
Hot Springs C.C. (Arlington Course), Hot Springs, Ark.
Andalusia C.C., La Quinta, Calif.
The Club at Ruby Hill, Pleasanton, Calif.
Collindale Golf Course, Fort Collins, Colo.
Walnut Creek Golf Preserve, Westminster, Colo.
Ritz-Carlton G.C., Orlando, Fla.
Pearl at Kalauao, Aiea, Hawaii
Legends Club, Prior Lake, Minn.
Laurel Creek C.C., Mount Laurel, N.J.
UNM Championship G.C., Albuquerque, NM
Hackberry Creek C.C., Irving, Texas
The Pines C.C., Morgantown, W.Va.
North Shore C.C., Mequon, Wis.
Wednesday, May 7 (6)
The Preserve G.C., Carmel-by-the-Sea, Calif.
Plantation Bay G. & C.C. (Founders North & South Courses), Ormond Beach, Fla.
Traditions G.C., Hebron, Ky.
GreatHorse, Hampden, Mass.
River Landing G.C. (River Course), Wallace, N.C.
Omaha (Neb.) C.C.
Thursday, May 8 (10)
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Silver Lakes (Backbreaker/Heartbreaker Courses), Glencoe, Ala.
Kings C.C., Hanford, Calif.
PGA West (Palmer Private Course), La Quinta, Calif.
The Broadlands Golf Course, Broomfield, Colo.
Waterlefe G. & River Club, Bradenton, Fla.
The G.C. at Crown Colony, Fort Myers, Fla.
Hawkstone C.C., Gainesville, Fla.
Knickerbocker C.C., Tenafly, N.J.
Jericho National G.C., New Hope, Pa.
Riverton (Wyo.) C.C.
Friday, May 9 (1)
Lonnie Poole Golf Course, Raleigh, N.C.
Monday, May 12 (23)
The Estancia Club, Scottsdale, Ariz.
TPC Stonebrae C.C., Hayward, Calif.
Brentwood C.C., Los Angeles, Calif.
Classic Club, Palm Desert, Calif.
Cutten Fields, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
The Connecticut G.C., Easton, Conn.
Lago Mar C.C., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Shingle Creek G.C., Orlando, Fla.
Gateway National G.L., Madison, Ill.
Illini C.C., Springfield, Ill.
Cedar Rapids (Iowa) C.C.
Lochmoor Club, Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
Windsong Farm G.C., Independence, Minn.
Somersett G. & C.C., Reno, Nev.
NMSU G.C., Las Cruces, N.M.
Shaker Ridge C.C., Albany, N.Y.
Mendon (N.Y.) G.C.
Noyac G.C., Sag Harbor, N.Y.
Pinnacle G.C., Grove City, Ohio
Huntsville G.C., Dallas, Pa.
Riverton Pointe G. & C.C., Hardeeville, S.C.
Heath Golf & Yacht Club, Heath, Texas
Forest Creek G.C., Round Rock, Texas
Tuesday, May 13 (11)
Granite Bay (Calif.) G.C.
Ironwood C.C., Palm Desert, Calif.
Panther National, Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.
RedHawk Golf Course, Nampa, Idaho
Firekeeper Golf Course, Mayetta, Kan.
Washington Manor G.C., Urbana, Md.
MISSOULA (MT) C.C.
Quicksilver G.C., Midway, Pa.
Kirkbrae C.C., Lincoln, R.I.
Keswick Hall (Full Cry Course), Keswick, Va.
Palouse Ridge G.C., Pullman, Wash.
Monday, May 19 (1)
Palmer (Alaska) Golf Course
*Mexico site TBD
2025 U.S. Open Final Qualifying Sites
International (3)
Monday, May 19
Asia – Tarao Country Club (West Course), Shiga Prefecture, Japan
Europe - Walton Heath Golf Club (New and Old Courses), Surrey, England
Monday, June 2
Canada – Lambton Golf & Country Club, York, Ontario, Canada
United States (10)
Monday, May 19
Bent Tree Country Club, Dallas, Texas
Monday, June 2
Valencia (Calif.) Country Club
Old Memorial Golf Club, Tampa. Fla.
Piedmont Driving Club, Atlanta, Ga.
Woodmont Country Club (North Course), Rockville, Md.
Canoe Brook Country Club (North & South Courses), Summit, N.J.
Duke University Golf Club, Durham, N.C.
Kinsale Golf & Fitness Club and The Lakes Golf & Country Club, Columbus, Ohio
Springfield (Ohio) Country Club
Wine Valley Golf Club, Walla Walla, Wash.
A LOOK AT ICE GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS
BY TY SPARING MSGA Communications Coordinator
Ice Golf Championship – Uummannaq, Greenland
Who says golf can’t be played in sub-zero conditions? Certainly not the competitors from all around the globe that gather every year in the small town of Uummanaq, Greenland to participate in the World Ice Golf Championships.
Held every year since the late 1990s, the Ummannaq Golf Course is a frozen tundra almost 400 miles north of the Arctic Circle. The Ice Golf Championships are not for the faint of heart as temperatures can reach -80 degrees with wind chill. Given that the ground is covered in ice and snow, players use pink, orange and red balls. There’s also no such thing as ‘greens’ in this northernmost golf course in the world, as the putting surfaces are generally referred to in a literal sense as ‘whites.’
Due to the absurdly frigid conditions, there’s a host of unique rules and bits of advice. Sean T. Kelly, who writes for Linked Golfers Magazine, had the opportunity to play in the event several years back and he wrote that along with the usual USGA guidelines, the most unique local rule was that players had a free drop if their ball landed within 10 meters of an iceberg, due to the thin ice around those areas.
Along with some obvious instructions to the players to stay warm and prevent frostbite in the perilously cold weather, there’s yet more danger lurking at the Uummannaq Golf Course. As Kelly writes, “we were warned
never, ever to pet any of the town’s dogs, even to coax your ball from one’s jaws. These dogs are not man’s best friend in your typical Americana, fetch-the-newspaper kind of sense. They are wild beasts that savor the taste of fresh fingers – even when hidden beneath thick gloves.”
The nine-hole, par-36 Uummannaq Golf Course is indeed one of the most extreme golf sitesin the world. And although it requires a different type of fortitude (and maybe a couple lose screws in the head), the chilly Ice Golf Championship proves that the game is a sport for all weather.
Winter Golf In Montana
Reading about the ice golf in Greenland got me thinking – certainly a state like Montana with its rich history of eccentric characters and avid outdoorsman would have tried some form of winter golf. Right?
Of course.
In fact, Montana has a long history of making such attempts.
As early as 1896 the Helena Semi-Weekly Herald was informing Montana citizens of this new craze happening in New York – ice golf on the frozen Hudson River. Hard to know if anybody in the Treasure State actually tried it or not at that point, but clearly some would’ve heard about it.
And we also know that by the early 1920s citizens of Montana were lamenting the fact that our cold weather seasons prevent us from playing golf, as one despondent Great Falls Tribune writer wrote, “Now is the season of our discontent. The blizzards bliz, the coal
World Ice Golf Championship (Sean T. Kelly/ Linked Magazine)
Snow Golf in Missoula's Bonner Park - 1982
does a Houdini, and the rents are high and we just shiver and hang on…And while California, Asheville, and Pinehurst entertain the ‘Niblick Knights,’ Montana weather is in dead earnest catering to its regular army of blue noses.”
There were a couple attempts at winter themed golf in the ensuing decades, generally as one of many activities planned for winter carnivals and other types of seasonal festivities. It was really in the 1960s though when more serious attempts were made at playing golf outside during the wintertime in Montana.
The Polson Municipal Course started an annual “Mid-Winter Golf Tournament” in 1963, but oddly they weren’t going for snowy or icy conditions as much as they wanted to “prove to the world we can play golf here virtually the year round,” and offer “proof that golf tournaments can be played in western Montana during the winter.”
After the round was through, a prime rib dinner was served and there were smiles all around. Included in this inaugural winter golf event in Polson was eventual MSGA Hall of Famers Dr. John Barnett and his son Mike, along with Earl Hunt who became the namesake of Whitefish Lake Golf Club’s annual Fourth of July Tournament.
Speaking of Whitefish Lake Golf Club, in 1969 they introduced their own “snow-called golf tournament” as one Daily Inter Lake writer wrote. Unlike in the Polson scenario, the attempt in Whitefish was to embrace the snowy conditions. They created an eight-hole course in which competitors needed either skis or snowshoes to move around. As for clubs and balls, competitors used hockey sticks, croquet mallets, and whiffle balls. And instead of divots, golfers were instructed to fill their “sitzmarks” (*A term skiers use to denote the impression left in the snow after falling down).
Over the years more cities and courses replicated more-or-less what Whitefish Lake Golf Club pulled off. Anaconda, Butte, Big Sky, Bozeman, Kalispell, Missoula and probably others organized snow and ice golf events, many of them attempting at making it a tradition, but
few lasted more than a handful of years.
Most recently in 2015 the Ranch Club in Missoula had a snow-golf tournament as part of some winter festivities. Contestants played a six-hole course in which they used a single club to hit a tennis ball. Two years later in 2017 the Choteau Volunteer Fire Department organized an Ice Golf Scramble at the Eureka Reservoir.
(In 2022 the State Four-Ball Tournament at Old Works sure felt like winter golf for all those who were there. We can assure you that was not our intent…brr)
As far as I can tell, there hasn’t been a formalized attempt at snow and ice golf in Montana for nearly ten years. It had been consistent since the 1960s that somebody, somewhere in this large, beautiful state attempted the seemingly impossible notion of playing golf in winter conditions, and then one day that dream was over. But why?
I blame the simulators.
Jokes aside, we might give thanks that simulators have become a bigger part of our winter golf-life in recent years, offering a setting in which we can play a round even if the conditions are blustery outside. We can stay warm, have some quality food and beverages (see #406Foodies for recommendations), keep in touch with friends, play in leagues – it’s a great time overall.
Yet I can’t help but wish that somebody in Montana would take up the cause to get people outside to play snow and ice golf during the winter. It just sounds like something our state would do. How? When? Where? With what resources? These are all questions I don’t have the answer to, but maybe some entrepreneurial spirit out there does.
In the meantime, while we wait and continue to daydream about the upcoming season, let’s just enjoy our simulator time, and hey, maybe they’ll add the Uummannaq Golf Course to the list someday and we can see what it’s like for ourselves. Let’s just keep the finger-eating dogs out of it.
