The 1st Spitsbergen Open - Ice Golf Championship 2005

Press Release

Posted 2004-11-17

This championship with its kick off between 10 and 14 April 2005 will prove an unmatched challenge to any golfer. The temperature may drop as low as minus 30° C, and participants will have to face white ”greens”, the threat of snow blindness and – not least – the possibility of an unfriendly encounter with the King of the Arctic: The polar bear. How on Earth did this event end up on the Arctic map?

The Beginning – Svalbard 2004
In April 2004, Svalbard Wildlife Service AS was the technical planner of The Drambuie Wold Ice Golf Championship. This championship was launched in 1999 and held in Greenland by the liqueur manufacturer Drambuie. However, the ice conditions caused problems for the event planners, and Svalbard was chosen as the new championship arena. Ever since its beginning, the championship has grown to become the ultimate and most exotic golf experience in the world. In the course of three days, 34 players – including professional golfers, media professionals and other celebrities from all over the world – fought for the title of Champion.

After six years with the catch phrase ”Drambuie on Ice”, the famous liqueur manufacturer has now decided to break fresh ground. Svalbard Wildlife Service AS held an extremely successful golf tournament in 2004, and now we wish to continue our experiences by planning a new, annual golf tournament:

The 1st Spitsbergen Open - Ice Golf Championship 2005

The Golf Course
The golf course will be built on Adventfjorden only a few days prior to the arrival of the participants. We will continue our positive experiences from 2004 with a nine hole course to be walked in two rounds. After nine holes, there will be a lunch and coffee break in the heated tent before the last nine holes are played. The golf course lies within walking distance from the hotel.

Participation
Golf on Svalbard is a unique experience; hence, there is only a limited number of available spaces. The price per participant from NOK 18 600, which includes a return airplane ticket Oslo-Longyearbyen and four nights at the Radisson hotel including breakfast, lunch at the golf course, two dinners including gala banquet and participation in the championship.

For non-participating spouses/travel companions, the price per person is NOK 12 900. Airplane tickets from other destinations – both domestic and international – can also be ordered.

Please contact Svalbard Wildlife Service for booking. Telephone no. +47 79 02 56 60 or e-mail info@wildlife.no