McHenry Times

Crystal Lake Park District issued the following announcement on Jan. 11

Put your foursome together and start designing your sled for the 2022 Chili Open Golf Classic 2022! A new location almost guarantees the event will happen (not dependent on ice conditions of lake).

Golfers play an 11-hole par 3 course nestled within the snow covered woods of Lippold Park.

Sat, Feb 19, 8 am-3 pm, tee times every 6 min

• $125/foursome, age 18+
• Giveaways for all foursomes
• Prize for the BEST SLED! Golfers use human sleds, carts, etc. to pull their equipment, snacks, around the course.

The Chili Open Golf Classic is part of a new event, Chilly Fest. Chilly Fest is an all-day event throughout Lippold Park (Route 176, just west of Route 14 in Crystal Lake) that includes Snow What! Let’s Putt Family Mini Golf at Lippold Park Family Golf Center, Snow Volleyball Tournament, Chili Open Golf Tourney and the Snowbird Softball Tournament. Advance registration is required for all events.Beer, food trucks, music and warming areas available before and after your round of golf or other activity.

More info and link to registration on page 4 of the digital guide at crystallakeparks.org

https://view.publitas.com/clpd/programs/page/6

Chili Open New Location Q & A

Q. Why did you move the event to Lippold Park? We love it on the lake!

A. We love it on the lake too! But in the past 10 years, we have had to cancel the Chili Open EIGH TTIMES! This way we do not have to rely on ice!

Q. People are fishing at West Beach. So the ice must be thick enough.

A. There are multiple factors here:

1. The natural flow and wave patterns of the lake allows for ice to form more quickly on the West end. The Main Beach ends builds ice more slowly.
2. To set up the Chili Open course, large vehicles must be able to be supported on the ice.
3. When hosting the event, we need to make sure the ice is secure enough to hold dozens of people. The weight of a fisherman and ice shanty do not compare.

Q. So then why don’t you hold this event on the West end of the lake?

A. Well, the west end of the lake is much narrower, not allowing us to properly plot a course. And, there is not enough parking and space in general.

Q. Can I bring my snowmobile to Lippold Park?

A. Although that would be fun, we can only allow a regular, human powered sled on the course. We’ve seen some of your awesome engineering. Bring your sled out and let’s have some fun!

For more information or questions about the Chili Open, call Ian Booker at (815) 459-0680, ext. 1210 or email ibooker@crystallakeparks.org for more information. For Chilly Fest questions or info, please contact Kurt Reckamp at (815) 459-0680, ext. 1216 or email kreckamp@crystallakeparks.org

Original source can be found here.