Ice Golf Festival In Siberia

I don’t think there could be a more unique golf experience than the International Ice Golf Festival on Lake Baikal in Siberia.

Running from March 15 – 20, the International Ice Golf Festival now is in its twelfth year. The festival offers golfers the opportunity to play across the ice and snow surface of Lake Baikal, in and around the Bay of Maloye Morye and Oklhon Island.

Practice rounds are held near various natural landmarks on the lake, giving players the opportunity to test their skills on ice-holes in ice grottos, ice cracks and hummocks and sandbars. One of the training sessions will take place on the surface of the deepest spot of Baikal (1637 meters/5370 feet).

Capping off the festival is the Baikal Ice Golf Tournament in which players compete to win the Baikal Big Challenge Cup and other prizes from tournament sponsors. The round starts from the cape rock at the shore of the lake and plays across holes with names such as Stroke to the Future and Voice of Sarma.

There’s a lot more at the International Ice Golf Festival site, including information on accommodations, food, etc. It actually looks like a great trip.