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Sunday, 01 March 2009 |
Golf in February? Despite cold, annual frisbee golf tourney raises spirits, helps charity
March 1, 2009
By JON KERR For The Beacon News Golf, anyone? For most, if that question were posed to them in the month of February, it would elicit a dismissive response, with the questioner accused of being crazy for asking. But for 70 or so Aurora-area construction workers, retirees and fathers, playing golf in February is as normal as skinny dipping in August. You see, Feb. 21 was the Ice Bowl, an annual Frisbee golf tournament played at Jericho Lake by members of the Fox Valley Metro Disc Golf Club. The 20-degree temperatures and below-zero windchills at the lake on this morning were not met with throaty groans, as one might expect, but with enthusiastic grins. "It's good to be outside in the winter time," said Tom McManus, a 48-year-old project manager, as he legged up a fairway covered with snow. "I enjoy the competition." Some may object to McManus's affection for nature bonding this time of year, but not to his love for competition. And what is this competition he refers to? Imagine regular golf, only instead of sticks, it's colored discs the players wield. They play on holes marked off by tee posts the size of licorice. The hole is not in the ground, but elevated a few feet, with an oval shape reminiscent of a birdcage, with metal chains blocking its entrance. There is one disc for driving, one for midrange shots and another for putting. Each has its own color, the only distinction in a Frisbee golf player's bag as the shape of their tools is the same -- round. Sounds pretty simple, but don't try telling any of these disc demons their sport is simplistic. "Some discs go to the right, some go to the left," said Randy Moore, a retired steelworker and president of the club. "It's more than just throwing a Frisbee. There is a lot of technique involved." There is also fellowship involved, as all proceeds from the tournament -- played throughout the month by hundreds of disc golf clubs around the world -- goes to charity. In the case of the Ice Bowl, Aurora's Hesed House -- an organization that provides services to the poor and homeless -- is the beneficiary. Moore said the club expected to raise $2,000 on this wintry Saturday, while also receiving donations equaling 200 pounds of food. "Disc golfers are neat people," said Moore, his own body decked out in Bears gear, revealing his favorite colors. "We pick up the courses, watch for vandalism. It's good for the community." Since the early 1970s, John Cleveland has been tossing Frisbees all over Aurora and beyond. Almost 62, the retiree walks with the help of a cane. When asked why he still competes in the sport, he gives a matter-of-fact answer. "It's group therapy," Cleveland said with a chuckle, his regional accent as heavy as his White Sox parka. "My midrange shots and putting are pretty good. I can't throw it as far as these young guns." Some of these young guns Cleveland refers to actually make money playing the sport, as much as $50,000 per year. The PDGA -- Professional Disc Golfer's Association -- can be lucrative part-time work. For most, though, they pay for the right to fling Frisbees. Sometimes people do things for no other reason than how it makes them feel while doing it. And on this windy, brutally cold February morning, you believe there is no other place on earth these people would rather be. "It's good to see old friends," Cleveland said. As a visitor walks back to warm his frozen hands, one of McManus' partners launches a wayward drive, the disc screaming toward another group at the next hole. McManus yells the familiar cry known by golfers everywhere. "Fore!" Heck, even Tiger Woods blows one off the tee every now and then. Link to full article
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Brandon, South Dakota Ice Bowl |
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Monday, 23 February 2009 |
02/22/2009 Keloland.com Disc Golf 'Ice Bowl' Raises Money For Food Pantry  It was 21 degrees Sunday afternoon in Brandon, with a wind chill around minus 5 degrees. To most, that doesn't sound like great weather to spend the day outdoors. Unless, if you're like this group of people, and it involves playing your favorite sport for a great cause. For a $20 entry fee, and a canned food item, these guys were given a disc, and the opportunity to spend the day being cold. "You've been cooped up all winter, and it's just nice to get out and see your friends that you see all spring, summer and fall," said John Wheeler, the Big Sioux Disc Golf Club president. "And it's a fun thing too, to raise the money for the charity." The Ice Bowl Disc Golf Event started in Kansas City back in 1987. It's grown since then. This year, Wheeler estimates that between 80 and 90 events will take place in the United States, along with dozens more in Canada, Europe, and even Japan. "Last year, they raised over $250,000 and several thousand pounds of food for local food pantries," Wheeler said. The money and canned goods from this one at the Big Sioux Recreation Area will go toward the Brandon Food Pantry. Each of the more than 120 Ice Bowl Events going on around the world is held in January or February, with the cold weather specifically used to set the fundraiser apart. "The motto is no whimps and no whiners," Wheeler said. "And the events can't be cancelled because of weather. And actually, you can win prizes if your Ice Bowl has the worst conditions. I think Aberdeen won a few years ago because they were playing in minus 26 degrees."  The Big Sioux Club expected to raise about $250 and 200 pounds of food. They say they play for the fun, but it's nice knowing that by braving the cold, they're giving warm food to someone who needs it. "Especially these days with the economy being in rough shape, I think there's more and more people out there that do need help from food pantries," Wheeler said. Thirty-four people competed in this year's Ice Bowl, which is the Big Sioux Club's largest turnout since it got involved in 2001. Wheeler said a big reason for that is excitement about the new course in Brandon. |
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Sunday, 22 February 2009 |
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Weather can't stop disc golfers By Laura Anderson,
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MOLINE, Ill. -- Blustery winds, snow and temperatures in the teens didn't stop hard-core disc golfers from playing for a good cause in the Quad City Disc Golf Club's Ice Bowl at Prospect Park on Saturday. The event has been held each year for about 10 years, said tournament co-director Brad Ellis, who has organized the event for two years, and played in tournaments in Illinois and Iowa. The tournament collects food and raises money each year for the River Bend Foodbank in Moline. According to the disc club's Web site at Qcdiscgolfclub.com, ice bowls have been held across the country since 1987 to raise funds for local food banks or other charities. Ice bowls are ``for all those disc golfers gutsy, crazy, desperate or fun-loving enough to join together in an act of disc golf solidarity around the world” regardless of weather conditions, according to the Web site. The No. 1 rule of the bowl rang true Saturday -- "Under no circumstances, may an ice bowl be canceled or postponed because of weather conditions." Snow was flying, discs were flying and toes and fingers were freezing, all in the name of helping the less fortunate. "I think we did better than last year," Mr. Ellis said, despite the 39 registered players being a few less than last year. ``We've got fewer people and more food!” They collected 704 pounds of food and $250 this year. At last year's Ice Bowl, they collected 250 pounds of food and $600. The Ice Bowl used to be held Super Bowl Sunday, but this year, organizers wanted a little more time to put it together. "Plus, it was 45 degrees out! You can't have an ice bowl in 45-degree weather!" Mr. Ellis said with a laugh. He enjoys the event because it gives the club a chance to give back to the community. "It shows that we're doing some good," he said, "and disc golfers are crazy enough to come out in this weather." Tournament co-director John Resch of Davenport, agreed. "This is one of the better things the club does to give back to the community," he said, especially because the cities have put in new disc courses. Playing disc golf in the winter can be a bit difficult because your muscles aren't as limber because of the cold, but ``you warm up pretty good from the walking,” Mr. Resch said, noting that most courses, including Prospect Park, are full of hills, which helps to keep you warm while walking the course. ``We're just glad to be able to do it and help some less fortunate folks out.'         Full article including photo |
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Mayor of East Liverpool, Ohio Plays in Ice Bowl |
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Sunday, 08 February 2009 |
Ice Bowl competition heats up By MICHAEL D. McELWAIN/
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Article Photo Volkmar Kuntz, a member of the Hyzernautz Disc Golf Club in Potsdam, Germany, took part in Saturday’s Ice Bowl Disc Golf Tournament in East Liverpool. The event was for charity and to help spread the word about disc golf. (Photo by Wayne Maris)
EAST LIVERPOOL - The local "Ice Bowl" lived up to its name. Some 47 players gathered at Thompson Park Saturday morning and took on the frozen tundra in one of the fastest growing sports in the country - disc golf. The local Ice Bowl, part of a national event, is now in its fifth year. "It's a little breezy, but the warmer weather melted the snow a little then it froze over again," event organizer Kelsey Hedrick said while walking carefully to the seventh hole. "It's truly lived up to its name. It is an Ice Bowl." Last year, 38 people played, and this year's event topped that - something Hedrick took as a good sign since some of the money raised goes to charity. One person made it all the way from Germany albeit by way of Pittsburgh. "I was looking for an Ice Bowl competition around here. I was one day late for the one in Steubenville," Volkmar Kuntz said. He's a member of the Hyzernautz Disc Golf Club in Potsdam, Germany - a suburb of Berlin. "So far this is a very family-friendly course. I like it," Kuntz said. "But I hear the back nine is rough." Kuntz is in the first of a two-year stint at Pittsburgh Technical Institute. He is studying multimedia technology and dating Weirton native Christine Frankovitch, who also participated. "I've been playing disc golf for four years now," Kuntz said. "During the Ice Bowl in Germany, it may be cold and raining, but most times there's not snow like this." Most people came from all over the Tri-State area, and some, like Jay Kovach, are more seasoned. He is the president of the Stark County Disc Golf Association. For others, it's new. Mark Gero from Louisville, Ohio, has played the Thompson Park course a few times and decided to return for the fun. "People play up here in the park almost every day when the weather breaks," Hedrick said. It's become something of a passion for a lot of local residents. The local event was part of a national effort to let people know about disc golf and to support local charities. In January of 1987, the first disc golf Ice Bowl took place at Albert-Oakland Park in Columbia, Mo. Saturday evening, Hedrick delivered 807 pounds of food and a donation of $200 to the Way Station in East Liverpool. Players had to bring non-perishable food items to participate. City resident, and mayor, Jim Swoger won an award for the most food donated - "an awesome 209 pounds," Hedrick noted. As for the competition itself, first place went to Matt Podlogar and second place was awarded to David Wagner. It was the first appearance at the local Ice Bowl for both, according to Hedrick. There was a three way tie for third place, and after a mini throw off, the winner was John Hedrick. The closest to the pin winner was Ed Noble. Total money raised, before paying the bills, was $600.00, according to Hedrick. The money will go back into the park and likely towards getting tee pads. "The ticket drawing for the donated prizes really generated a lot of interest and helped us out a lot," Hedrick said. After the competition in the park, the group retreated to American Legion Post 374 on Parkway for food and to enter the prize drawings. "It's all about having a good time and helping out others," Hedrick said. According to Hedrick, some businesses that donated and people that helped with the 2009 Ice Bowl were:, Homer Laughlin China, W.C. Bunting Company, American Legion Post 374, VFW Post 66, Disc Golf U, Beatty Park Disc Golf, Dunham's Sports, Brickers Isaly's, Headlines by Andy, The Carriage House, Mayor Jim Swoger, Swoger's Quick Lube, Dee Jay's Ribs, Panera's Restaurant, East Of Chicago Pizza, Busy B Muffler, Old Navy, Danny Deshler, James Locke Jewelry, Al Ken Supply, Millies Beauty Supplies, Pizza Hut, D.C. Music, Advanced Auto, East Liverpool City Hospital, The Review, The Morning Journal, Curtis Cigar, Auto Zone, Coffee Fusion and Tea Company, Walmart, Campbell Signs, Pat Maloney, Debbie Fickes, Cathy and Mike Diddle, Rob Kenny of Thompson Park, Johnny Hedrick, Jayes Beauty Supply, The East Liverpool Motor Lodge, Angel Miller, Soni and Robert Littrell, Rick Winters, Bill Flynn, Flying Disc Magazine, Bill McCarty (the Discgolf Guy), Susan David, Wayne Maris And all who gave food and money. Fact Box About Disc Golf According to the Professional Disc Golf Association: - Disc golf is played much like traditional golf. - Instead of a ball and clubs, however, players use a flying disc, or Frisbee. - The sport was formalized in the 1970s, and shares with "ball golf" the object of completing each hole in the fewest number of strokes (or, in the case of disc golf, fewest number of throws). - A golf disc is thrown from a tee area to a target which is the "hole." - The hole can be one of a number of disc golf targets, and the most common is called a Pole Hole or an elevated metal basket. - As a player progresses down the fairway, he or she must make each consecutive shot from the spot where the previous throw has landed. - The trees, shrubs, and terrain changes located in and around the fairways provide challenging obstacles for the golfer. - Finally, the "putt" lands in the basket and the hole is completed. |
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Almost $1600 Raised in Oroville |
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Saturday, 07 February 2009 |
Disc golf benefit raises far more than expectedOroville Mercury-Register Posted: 02/06/2009 09:24:07 PM PST OROVILLE, Calif -- Riverbend Disc Golf Club raised $1,591 and collected 400 pounds of food to help feed and shelter homeless people and people in need during last Saturday's second Ice Bowl disc golf tournament. The Ice Bowl disc golf tournaments are held across the nation and around the world in February to fund charitable organizations. The disc golf club gave the money and food to the Oroville Rescue Mission. The mission is funded entirely by donations. More than $600 of the money came from raffle ticket sales. "It was a great turnout," said club Vice President Sean Pfundstein. "I was thinking $800, but we almost doubled that." Last year, the event raised $96. Local businesses contributed to the event. |
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Huntington's 12th Ice Bowl |
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Sunday, 01 February 2009 |
Ice Bowl benefits local food bank
HUNTINGTON -- Tables full of canned goods and discs were signs of a good, if cold, day at the 12th annual Huntington Ice Bowl at Rotary Park this weekend. Each year the event seems to grow, and this year was no disappointment, according to local Ice Bowl organizer Don Kleppe. About 63 players attended this year's local Ice Bowl, raising more than $2,400 and an estimated 500 pounds of food for the Huntington Area Food Bank. Read the rest of the story
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|  Want to hold an Ice Bowl in your community? Getting started is easy. First choose a date within the official Ice Bowl corridor of January 5th through February 24th. Next, get permission to use your course, and find a charity you wish to work with. Finally, register your event with Disc Golf World by completing the online registration form found on this site.
If you have any questions before you register, don't hesitate to call - toll-free 1-888-237-6884 and ask for Rick. |
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