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Jean-Paul Hebert blasts out of the ice in Svalbard
Svalbard, Norway 2nd - 3rd April 2004
British golfer John Wells beat off fierce competition, today, to claim The 2004
Drambuie World Ice Golf Championship, with a 12-over par total, following a
tense finale in Svalbard.
Lying two shots off the lead over night, John produced a fine display in testing
conditions, closing with a final round 78 to knock Brian Akstrup from Denmark
into second place.
Following a heavy snowfall overnight the course provided players with what is
perhaps the toughest test in golf. It was all about damage limitation on the ice
course with pars feeling more like birdies.
Overnight leader and former European Tour Player, Per Haugsrud suffered in the
tough conditions shooting 85 to drop back to into a share of sixth place.
NGA/Hooters Tour professional Jean-Paul Hebert finished in a tie
for third place with a two day score of 14 over par 158.
After being presented with the winners trophy John said:
"I am so excited to have won The 2004 Drambuie World Ice Golf Championship.
Conditions today were both difficult and brutal. It's survival of the fittest
out there and this week I was the fittest. It's hard to sum up in words but this
is one of the most memorable experiences in my life and I look forward to
celebrating tonight with a glass of Drambuie or two! This Championship is unique
and not only is it a great test just of your golfing ability but also your
mental strength."
The 5th Drambuie World Ice Golf Championship was staged on the remote Island of
Svalbard, in the northernmost territory of Norway. This Arctic expanse is filled
with fjords, wide river valleys, jutting peaks and sunning glaciers, covering
60% of the area.
The Drambuie World Ice Golf Championship is a 36-hole stroke - play event,
played over two days but competed under some of the harshest and most extreme
conditions in the world, where temperatures reach a staggering -30 degrees
Celsius. The championship is played in accordance with the rules of golf, but
with a few noticeable differences. The balls are orange, the greens are white,
and course attire includes ski-goggles, balaclavas and snow mittens.
The Drambuie World Ice Golf Championship is now in its 5th year and moved
location from Greenland, the original home of the tournament, to Svalbard in
2004.
·
Russ Howard, Professional World Curling Champion, Canada
"Finishing 9th overall in The Drambuie World Ice Golf Championship was
beyond my wildest expectations. Although I was right up there with the best of
them yesterday, the real golf pros came through today. Unfortunately half way
round the course today the crampons I was wearing broke, which hindered my swing
a little and I had a few unlucky bounces along the way. However it was a lot of
fun playing ice golf in the arctic and experiencing some of the toughest weather
conditions out there. In all - an outstanding experience."
·
Jean-Paul Hebert, Professional Golfer, USA
"I cannot even begin to put into words what an amazing experience The
Drambuie World Ice Golf Championship has been, it's been so much more than I
ever expected. Waking up every morning knowing you're about to play a round of
competitive golf in the Arctic Circle has to be one of the most momentous things
I have ever done.
I really recommend this experience to any golf professional, it's such a
different environment from the normal. The constant change in weather which in
turn alters the golf course and the way you need to play through to the
craziness of walking on crampons on the ice and the amount of fun you have out
here - all combine to make the ultimate arctic golf experience.
Although competitive and really challenging, it's also very cool and a lot of
fun. I would have loved to win but boy it was really tough out there and I'm
ultimately pleased with my final score, but even more pleased to experience
this. "
·
Per Haugsrud, Professional Golfer, Norway
"I thought I played pretty well today following my lead in yesterday's
first round in The Drambuie World Ice Golf Championship but the conditions were
really tough. The competition has been really fun, full of crazy weather and
lost balls, which is where some of the luck for people comes in and maybe where
I lucked out. It's a great golfing and party experience, very different from
what i'm used to."
