COLCHESTER, Vt. (WCAX) – While golf season may be a few more months away, these players are bringing out their clubs at a different kind of course.
This frozen fairway is helping to send children with cancer to summer camp.
You wouldn’t usually find yourself playing golf in the middle of February in Vermont, but that did not stop these players from coming out to get a few swings in.
“They have three different courses and they play nine holes for a couple hours. It doesn’t matter the score at the end of the day. It’s really just to have fun,” said Olivia Mueller, Camp Ta-Kum-Ta events coordinator.
“It actually works very well, surprisingly enough, with there being a good amount of snow,” said James Olsen.
Bundled up and clubs in hand, these golfers are participating in Camp Ta-Kum-Ta’s eighth annual ice golf tournament on Lake Champlain.
“Meet new friends, support camp and get out of the house is a win-win,” said Nate Stevens, a Camp Ta-Kum-Ta volunteer.
Ta-Kum-Ta provides a free week-long summer camp experience for children battling cancer. Annual fundraisers like ice golf are what make this possible.
“All of the proceeds will go back to Camp Ta-Kum-Ta and all of the proceeds will help to send kids to camp,” Mueller said.
“This is one of the most profitable events of the year, and anytime we can make sure all of the dollars we are raising can go directly to supporting the camper programs, it’s the best case scenario,” Stevens said.
The frozen lake and friendly competition may be part of the fun, but it’s the mission that’s kept golfers coming back for eight years.
