When you absolutely, positively must play golf in the dead of winter

For those within driving distance of Lake Wallenpaupack in the Pocono Mountains of eastern Pennsylvania –- a drive by car, not with a one-wood -- you might want to mark January 30 on your calendars.  Face it; on the weekend before the Super Bowl, you don’t have much to do, and you sure aren’t going to your local snow-covered golf course for a round of golf, right?

        Wrong, if you have the cojones to put on three or four layers, head to the 20th Annual Ice Tee Golf Tournament on the frozen lake in Hawley, PA, about 90 minutes from New York City.  Organizers set up fir trees to line the boundaries of the fairways on the two nine-hole courses; the longest holes reach 130 yards and each competitor is provided with a colored ball.  You are limited to two golf clubs plus your putter.  Prizes are awarded for closest to the snowman and longest drive, as well as for less skill-oriented feats (e.g. wackiest hat).   The awards ceremony is held at the waterfront restaurant that overlooks the course and features an “ice-carved bar.”

        Cost to compete against up to 200 other frozen golfers is a donation of $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the event.  Tee times run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  For more information, visit the Pocono Lake Region Chamber of Commerce web site at http://www.lakeregioncc.com/calendar/detail.aspx?id=344.

        Sounds like fun, but club selection will be critical.  Don’t expect much backspin…