Nearly three and a half decades ago Bob Maas, Dave Jauert and several friends created a unique winter event. The Bob Maas Golf on Ice has been a neighborhood tradition on Fish Lake Reservoir.

People throughout the Northland sink 18 holes with tennis balls through the ice, and retrieve them throughout the makeshift golf course. A local neighborhood tennis club donates the tennis balls for people to play on the ice. Players can use tennis rackets, hockey sticks, but also golf clubs.

Alayna Scheall, says she’s have been part of the Golf of Ice Classic tournament for the past six years. She added it’s great to play on the ice now that it’s a return to a normal winter in Minnesota.

“Last year we couldn’t play because there was no ice. It was really warm winter, not a lot of snow. So it’s good to be back out spending time with friends,” Scheall said. “Our team has grown, changed, shifted many a times. But there’s kind of a core group. And it’s fun to add and play with different people every year”

While anglers might be disappointed to no longer reel in fish at their favorite lake. These golfers are still have fun on the ice. Colby Manning says people enjoy a relaxing day hitting tennis balls, and support Eagle’s Nest and Blue Max.

“We get a ton of people out here. It’s just good to get people back and out in the sticks on the lakes,” Manning said. “It’s great business for the local businesses around here. But yeah, it’s just a great time.”

The Blue Max bar also provides karaoke, and the Eagle’s Nest Resort features live music with Matt Arthur and Bill Patton. The entire event is free and open to the public if they want to try a few rounds and tee off on the ice.