Golfers chase frosty nine-hole round with hot chili

A fresh blanket of overnight snowfall greeted 177 golfers who registered for the Des Plaines Park District’s Chili Open Saturday at the Des Plaines Golf Center.

Using brightly colored golf balls, participants made their way along the slushy nine-hole course during the shotgun-start event. The object was to hit a plastic ring the size of a barrel, which functioned as the hole.

A chili lunch was served at Club Casa, the restaurant located at the golf course, afterward.

“The snow makes it fun, instead of just a cold round in the winter,” said Superintendent of Revenue Facilities Brian Panek. “It's perfect out there.”