A weathered 252 holes have been played since the first Kinsmen Club of Windermere Valley Snow Golf Tournament welcomed golfers to a cold and windy Lake Windermere in 2001.

Tourney organizers had to carve 18 holes out of a slick sheen of Lake Windermere ice. There wasn’t a chintzy skiff of snow anywhere on Taynton Bay; perfect conditions to skate or windsail as a foghorn of a north wind blasted off Kinsmen Beach.

Weak whiffers turned into John Daly on steroids, and in a rage, as golf balls bounced and rolled for hundreds of metres past intended targets.

One’s golfing skills (and balance) was put to the test. Flags, toques, golf balls, t-mats and more ended up against the island off Windermere Beach at day’s end thanks to the fierce winds that day – which was so damned fun that a host of regulars return every year to vie for the right to wait in The Station Pub until Kuffler (Steve) gets around to presenting the trophy for top team.

Every year since, the golf course spans a snow-covered Taynton Bay, making for easier play.

The fundraising tourney is always open to new teams. Call 250-342-5557 to get your tickets ($35 each). The tourney is for players aged 19-years and up.

This year’s event is a bit earlier than usual, running Jan. 16.

Tickets and sundry items can be purchased prior to the noon shotgun start at The Station Pub.

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