The route to Greenland took us over Canada, the St. Lawrence river, the Labrador Sea, and the open ocean, but when we saw the first ice bergs and then the drops of islands and then the small, the bright city, I felt tears come to my eyes. So much preparation for this trip and here we were, about to land. The short landing strip took us right next to our ship, the Octantis, and right over the GolfKlub, and brightly colored houses everywhere.

As we left the plane and walked across the tarmac, we were all smiles—This gigantic, little place was Nuuk, Greenland, a place we’d only read about. On the short bus ride, we watched every turn on our way to the ship. The outstanding feature were the rock faces and giant outcroppings without really being mountains. There was something unusual going on here.

Once we were processed aboard the ship, we were anxious to leave. Never mind that our luggage wouldn’t be here for an hour or two (security reasons), we had a tee time! Grabbing what we had in our backpacks, we left the ship, caught a taxi, and headed to our secret destination for the day— the oldest golf course in the world, Nuuk GolfKlub. Of course, Musselburgh in Scotland is the oldest golf club, but this course was way older because it was built on rock that is 3 billion years old! John had fun with that idea—and so later on, gave the club something bigger to celebrate at their 25yr party as a golf club, this Sunday.

The course is actually very lovely. It’s a bit of green fairway carved out the rocks, with small water hazards here and there, always reflecting the sky, the rocks, or nearby plants. It winds up and around and traces back on itself before returning to the clubhouse. And the clubhouse may look like a simple building, but it houses a meeting room, a locker room, a small shop, and an indoor golf center where golf is played during the winter on a simulator. They are quite serious about indoor golf here and even have men’s and women’s champions for both indoor and outdoor golf, complete with plaques, certificates and trophy’s. 

We arrived with a door combination in hand and a lot of hope that we could follow directions and pay using the card machine. Nuuk GK is not a professionally run club so relying on honest patrons is the best they can do. As we walked up the wooden steps, however, we met a smiling young woman and man and found the door opened. We introduced ourselves and Maria showed us what to do. We had to choose clubs and pay, of course. When she opened the golf shop, though, the bill went up. John needed a hat, I could use a glove, and a souvenir for a lucky reader. We paid for it all and as we were about to ask, “Which way to the first tee?” Maria asked if she could play with us! “We’d love that!” I said, and gave her a big hug.

Off we went. It was a completely playable course despite the rocks and water. Our bags each came with a “Rock Club” which we were supposed to use anywhere near the rocks. We climbed like goats up up up and had to be sure-footed on the narrow rocky paths coming back down. Nuuk GolfKlub might not be a destination course, but for the golfer who longs for a unique experience in Greenland, request a tee time and have yourself a great time.

Maria was a terrific golfer and had her name on both the indoor and outdoor trophy certificates as well as a hole-in-one certificate for the 3rd hole! At the end of the day, she gave us lapel pins and we gave her a ride home and an invitation to stop by the ship in one hour for a couple of gifts that I had packed in my luggage— balls and markers from San Gabriel Country Club. International goodwill begins on the golf course!

More excitement tomorrow. Stay tuned!