Just below the Arctic Circle, nestled among Iceland’s fjords is the fishing town of Akureyri. Pronounced “aakr·ay·ree”, this city, known as the “capital” of northern Iceland, holds a valuable golfing experience that many casual golfers may not have heard of before.
Who can blame them? When it comes to golf, many of us avoid any chance of bad weather when we take it up. When it comes to golf destinations, golfers don’t often look for places with the word “ice” in the name for a golf trip.
Akureyri is home to the aptly named Akureyri Golf Club, host to “Arctic Open” an event that takes place every June during (you guessed it) the summer solstice. Established in 1986, this unique event is one of – if not the only – golf event in the world that allows players to tee off at 11pm at night and into the very early hours of the morning. Closing in on darkness may be a concern for those at lower latitudes, but in Iceland, the “midnight sun” allows players to traverse the course without delay or visibility issues creating 24 hours of golf during the summer months.
Spread over two days, the Arctic Open pits players against each other in a two-round Stableford format with winners crowned between different flights and age groups. The event attracts great interest every year. The total number of participants is usually around 120 golfers of various skill levels. The result? An intimate event that allows die-hard golfers to experience a challenging golf landscape in a country that is home to just fifteen 18-hole courses and 50 9-hole courses on a land mass roughly the size of Virginia.
Talk about the land of fire and ice.
Those who register and are accepted will not only experience the breathtaking views and beauty of Akureyri, but also now have the distinct honor of boasting the northernmost golf course in the world, as recognized by the Royal Ancient Golf Golf Club Handbook of St. Andrews.
So what is the catch?
First, the weather. Average highs and lows could range from the low 40s to mid 50s. Rain and snow are always daily possibilities and while the wind may not blow much, you can expect a bite from Mother Nature. All this and more are common occurrences in Iceland, which is just 62 miles south of the Arctic Circle.
One bright spot is the cost of the event. Registration and tour fees will cost you around $609 ($549 and $150 respectively). But with that cost comes a host of benefits, including: opening/closing receptions, giveaways, event participation, and two complimentary rounds the day before (practice round) and after.
Last year, golfers were also treated to a ticket to Forest lagoon. This natural thermal bath is located on the east side of the Eyjafjörður fjord, a ten-minute drive outside the city. The spa offered attendees an opportunity to support a local cause by purchasing “a golf shot from the Lagoon entrance to the green in the water below the spas.” Sounds like a pretty cool way to support the local area while you’re there.
Another downside of the event is the travel costs. Despite the low cost of the event, those traveling from the US can expect a large portion of the cost to go towards airfare. While many major airports within the US offer nonstop flights and connections to Iceland, Akureyri International Airport averages only about 10 arrivals and departures per day; so plan accordingly. Flying into Reykjavik offers more options, but requires a 45 minute connecting flight (or 5 hour drive) to Akureyri. Just adding to your rising costs to attend.
If all of this seems daunting, event organizers offer a list of travel agents through their website to help plan and plan when you begin this endeavor. So at least you’re not starting from the first tee box, per se.
Whether you prefer golfing in the summer sun or don’t mind a little quiet on the backswing, the Arctic Open is an event you’ll definitely brag about to your friends.
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