Gigantic icebergs form a key part of the layout of the course, and right now, during January and February, the weather, sea and ice field production lay down the foundations of the nine-hole course. The World Ice Golf Championship takes place 19 -24 March 2009.

Global warming and two years' cancellations do not scare the organisers. Nowhere else in the world could provide such a spectacular, extreme and beautiful setting for an international golfing championship. The interest in playing golf in spectacular surroundings is growing, and though the course is a little shorter, the holes a little larger, the ball is orange and the green is white - it is just like regular golf.

The tournament is held over two days, and 36 holes. The day prior to the start is set aside for practice, and both before and after the competition there will be optional excursions, allowing participants to explore the fascinating landscape, where dog sleds and ice fishing are still an everyday part of the scenery.

Anyone with a handicap of less than 36 can take part, a level that also opens the competition to good amateur players. The maximum number of participants in the tournament is 36.

The basic philosophy in developing ice golf is that insofar as possible, the game should live up to the standards and requirements that apply to competitions on grass. It has, however, proved necessary to make some changes because of the surface and the temperatures. Experience has shown that players can very quickly accustom themselves to the special conditions, and that skill in the game itself is decisive in the results of playing on the ice cold course.

 
Press release February 19th 2008
 
The World Ice Golf Committee has cancelled The World Ice Golf Championships 2008

The interest among players and medias is big and this year's ice conditions are perfect. Greenland experiences the coldest winter for the last 10 years with thick sea ice in the Uummannaq Fjord System. Nevertheless, The World Ice Golf Committee has decided to cancel the Championship 2008 due to changes in the Ice Golf Committee. A new partner will be in charge of the future project management of the Championships.

 
Press release January 22nd 2008
 
Perfect ice conditions for the World Ice Golf Championship 2008

The ice conditions will be perfect for the World Ice Golf Championships. Greenland experience the coldest winter for the last 10 years with thick sea ice in the Uummannaq Fjord System.

 
Press release March 8 th 2007
 
The World Ice Golf Committee, Greenland has cancelled The World Ice Golf Championships 2007

The sea ice in the Uummannaq Fjord System will in normal winters be very thick in the end of February (approx. 50 cm.). But in March 2007 the ice was still too thin. As thick and safe sea ice is demanded for the championships it was decided to canel the championships.

The committee hope for more normal weather for the championships 2008 that will be held from March 20th to March 25th 2008.
 

Press release March 28 th 2006
 

Television Broadcast material from the championships are available for interernational TV distribution. Please contact the committee for further info.

 
Press release March 26 th 2006
 

 

Jason Cunningham of Brisbane, Australia wins the 2006 World Ice Golf Championship in Uummannaq, Greenland.

With rounds of 82 and 77 , 30 year old Australian Jason Cunningham, became the 6. world champion in Ice Golf, a special golf discipline played at the Uummannaq Sea Links Golf Course among majestic icebergs on the sea ice of Uummannaq, the Disko bay, Greenland, some 600 km. north of the polar circle.

Jason beat extreme temperatures, gusting winds, blinding sunlight, slippery icy "whites" and an international field of competitors to win by a comfortable margin in front of first round leader Mr. Luke Merry from Oxford England and Kai Hartmeyer of Holstebro Denmark.

The world championship has taken place since 1999 in Uummannaq, Greenland. The venue is chosen because of its unique meteorological and geological features. Strong frost makes the sea freeze and thus trap the magnificent icebergs that are en route to the open sea along the Disko fjord. 12 glaciers - among them the fastest glacier in the world - feeds into the fjord ensuring plenty of spectacular icebergs. A stable high pressure securing sunshine, blue skies and very little snowfall formulate the rest of the unique Uummannaq set up.

The course is specially made for the event every time as it melts away during the artic summer. Course records as Jason's closing 77 can thus only stay for one year, but the world championship title goes down forever in Ice golf history.

Global heating is hard felt in the Artic and the championship has had to be postponed in both 2004 and 2005 due to lack of sea ice in the Disko bay. And extended period of sub 25 degrees C. temperatures in early 2006 again made the conditions perfect for Ice golf and an international group of adventurous golfers travelled to Greenland to participate.

No one mastered the conditions better than Jason, and a guy from a place were ice and snow is unthinkable thus is the reining Ice Golf World Champion for at least a year to come. Final score after the 2 days of tournament:

1 JASON CUNNINGHAM, Australia,
R1: 82 R2: +4. Total: +14

2 LUKE MERRY, United Kingdom,
Round 1: 79 Round 2: +13. Total: +20

3 KAI HARTMEYER, Denmark,
Round 1: 88 Round 2:+8. Total: +24

4 HENRIK HOLM, Denmark,
Round 1: 90 Round 2: +11. Total: +29

5 MARTIN MEDER, Germany,
Round 1: 92 Round 2: +15. Total: +35

6 JOHN CUNNINGHAM, Australia,
Round 1: 100 R2: +9. Total: +37

7 ERNST OTTO REH, Germany,
Round 1: 96 Round 2: +15. Total: +39

8 STEPHEN MERRY, Umited Kingdom,
Round 1: 98 Round 2: +14, Total: +40

9 STEFFEN, Greenland,
Round 1: 94 Round 2: +18. Total +40

10 INGE HARTMEYER, Denmark,
Round 1: 104 Round 2: +11. Total +43

Next World Ice Golf Championship will be held in Uummannaq, Greenland March 22nd to March 27th 2007

 
Press release March 25 th 2006
 
After day one of the tournament Merry Luke from UK is in the top followed by Jason Cunningham, Australia and Kai Hartmeyer from Dennark.

Top 10 day 1:

1 MERRY, Luke 79 F +7, UK
2 CUNNINGHAM, Jason 82 F +10, Australia
3 HARTMEYER, Kai 88 F +16, Denmark
4 HOLM, Henrik 90 F +18, Denmark
5 MEDER, Martin 92 F +20, Germany
6 "THE LOCAL BOY", Steffen 94 F +22, Greenland
7 REH, Ernst Otto 96 F +24, Germany
8 MERRY, Stephen 98 F +26, UK
9 CUNNINGHAM, John 100 F +28, Australia
10 BERGSTRØM, Johan 102 F +30, Sweden

Second round on the tournament is played on Sunday March 26th

Press release March 17 th 2006
 

Golfers as far away as Australia are busy making their final packing lists for what to bring one week before the World Ice Golf Championhip will be held in Greenland from March 23rd - March 28th.

To compete in a championship such as The World Ice Golf Championship a little preparation is needed. It's sometimes VERY cold in Uummannaq and absolutely necessary to have warm clothes. Instead of wearing one very warm jacket however, itīs better to wear several layers of clothes so that it is easier to swing and to adjust how many layers of clothes is needed at the beginning. Before the championship it īs also a good idea to practise using winter golf gloves, which is definitely a necessity when playing in Greenland. On the feets some warm boots is needed. Golf shoes are not a good idea! Sunglasses is a must due to the extreme bright sun.

Golf clubs with a steel shaft are best in the cold. Players are adviced to to bring a half set: 3, 5, 7, 9, PW, SW and maybe driver and 5 wood, or just a 3 wood. Barebags are recommended, as trolleys cannot be used on the course.
 
Balls are issued by the tournament committee.
 

 
Press release February 17 th 2006
 

The interest among international TV channels, Magazines, Golf journalists, On-line media and Radio to cover the championships has been impressive.

Results, broadcast tapes, pictures and articles will be released during and after the championships.

 
Press release February 17 th 2006
 

The interest among international TV channels, Magazines, Golf journalists, On-line media and Radio to cover the championships has been impressive.

Results, broadcast tapes, pictures and articles will be released during and after the championships.

 
Press release February 4th 2006
 

Very cold weather in the Uummannaq area the entire January with temperatures below minus 30 degree celcius - has made a very thick and safe seaice needed for the World Ice Golf Championship 2006.

The Chairmann of The World Ice Golf Committee Mr. Arne Niemann and Tournament Director Mr. Henrik Bergqvist has therefore on February the 4th given their final approval for championship to take place from March 23rd to March 28th 2006.

 
Press release January 8th 2006
 

The sea ice is building up from the very North of Greenland down along the West coast to the center of Greenland in the Disko Region North of the polar circle.

At the moment the sea ice has reached the mouth of Uummannaq Fjord Systen where the World Ice Golf Championship will take place. Heavy cold between minus 20 degree celcius and 30 degree celcius the entire January can hopefully ensure a perfect and safe ice.

Click for the latest Greenland Sea Ice Chart
See the latest Noaa Satelite photo from today

 
Press release March 23rd 2005
 

The next World Ice Golf Championships is to be held Thursday March 23. - Tuesday March 28 2006.

Press release February 20th 2005
 

Due to unusual weather with extreme winds and snowfall during the first weeks of February 2005 - the World Ice Golf Committee has decided to cancel the championships 2005. Uummannaq area gets in average years approx. 10 cm. of snow during the winter. In February 2005 there has been a snowfall on approx. 200 cm. The unusual heavy and long period of winds has broken the seaice up in the fjord systems - meaning that there will be no safe icegolf course this year (min. requirements is 40 cm. of good seaicee.

The next World Ice Golf Championships is planned to be held Thursday March 23. - Tuesday March 28.