1. What is an Ice Bowl®
An Ice Bowl® is a disc golf event, most typically held in winter, with a mission to increase local awareness of disc golf by raising funds for local and regional charities, with an emphasis on fighting food insecurity.
Many Ice Bowls emphasize fun over competition, while burnishing a positive image for disc golf and disc golfers through publicizing the charitable fundraising with timely news releases. Ice Bowl began in 1987 as a single tournament in Columbia, Missouri in an effort to publicize the fledgling sport and to get more people playing. Raising funds for charity was added as a very significant component of Ice Bowl in 1996. Since then, nearly $6.5 million has been raised, including almost $520 thousand in 2023.
Here are the three historical Ice Bowl® “rules” that convey Ice Bowl’s spirit:
1. Under no circumstances, may an Ice Bowl® be cancelled or postponed because of weather conditions.*
2. No wimps or whiners are allowed.
3. There are no excuses for not attending. Either be there or be called out as a wimp!
*While Rules 2 and 3 are “inviolable,” recent winters have taught us that sometimes cancellations are warranted. *Defying the conditions is a big part of the fun, but Mother Nature may force Rule 1 to be broken; public safety is of the utmost importance and should guide your decision to hold your event if conditions are too severe or dangerous.
2. When Are Ice Bowls® held?
The official corridor for running most Ice Bowl® events is aligned with the astronomical winter season, which in 2023-2024 runs from December 23, 2023, through March 24, 2024. Please try to schedule your event within this corridor. We realize that with the growth of the sport, that finding a date, even in the winter, for some regions, is a challenge. If you are conflicted in this way, please contact us to discuss it.
3. Why Run an Ice Bowl®?
There are several interlocking reasons to host an Ice Bowl® in your community. Choosing a community- or regionally-based charity offers the greatest opportunity to achieve positive publicity for disc golf, positioning local disc golf entities to create positive partnerships that can further disc golf appeal in your area. By issuing news releases, the media is more likely to show an interest in disc golf when it’s done in conjunction with a good cause. Media coverage lets more people see that disc golf is fun, and when we raise funds for local charities, we show that disc golfers care. This allows your disc golf club and disc golf community to integrate more fully into the community at large. In addition, when seeking out funds for your charity, you might network with people who could turn into future allies when you are trying to get additional courses in the ground or securing sponsorship for more competitive events.
Ice Bowls also tend to strengthen and bring closer together local and regional disc golfers as they combine their efforts to help their community while enjoying each other’s company, and of course, playing the game that brought them together in first place.
4. I think we would like to run an Ice Bowl®. What do we need to do to get started?
To run a legally-sanctioned Ice Bowl®, a tournament organizer must register it at icebowlhq.com, where they will be asked to (1) raise money for an approved charity, (2) to honor the Ice Bowl® trademark, and (3) to report certain information about the event. There is no obligation to buy official Ice Bowl® merchandise, although most Ice Bowl players enjoy receiving or being able to purchase a memento from the event. However, you must use the words “Ice Bowl®” in the name of your event.
You will need to:
- Decide which charity to support. While fighting food insecurity remains Ice Bowl’s historical and primary mission, there are many types of charities that Ice Bowl has supported in the past. The most important factor in choosing a charity is that it benefits your community.
- Select a date* (see item 2 above) or dates within the Ice Bowl Corridor of December 18-March 20 that you would like to run your Ice Bowl. You might check with neighboring communities to minimize scheduling conflicts.
- Check with the government entity (usually a Parks Department) that oversees the park or the manager of a private course for permission to use the course.
- Fill out the online registration form at icebowlhq.com or email the completed downloadable registration form (file opens in downloads) to us at info@icebowl.org.
5. What charities will be approved for Ice Bowls?
We hope that most Ice Bowls will continue to raise funds for Ice Bowl’s original charitable mission of fighting food insecurity, Ice Bowl has expanded the scope of acceptable beneficiaries. Ideally, each Ice Bowl will choose a cause that helps its immediate community or region.
Exceptions: Please note that we will not sanction Ice Bowl® events that raise money for the welfare of animals. While we appreciate the value of pets and other critters, Ice Bowl’s® mission is to help human beings. In addition, we will not sanction Ice Bowls that raise funds directly for religious institutions (churches) or religious-based social and/or fraternal welfare groups. However, this does not exclude extant Food Pantries or other social services that are operated or provided by a church and/or located within a church.
6. We never get any ice where we live. Why should I hold an Ice Bowl?
Absolutely! When Ice Bowl began in 1987, we called it a day of disc golf solidarity in the middle of winter. Sunbelt states were encouraged to participate for that reason… as well as for the irony. Even though the name may not fit your wintertime climate, when you are raising money for a local charity and let the media know about it, your chances of getting some positive publicity are good. Several of our top fundraisers have been from states where winter is usually not that big of a deal.
7. What have other Ice Bowls done to raise funds?
There are several ways to raise more money for your events, but they usually fall into one of these two broad and often overlapping categories: (1) finding sponsors and (2) getting money from tournament participants.
Sponsorship—Finding sponsors is never easy, but potential sponsors are more likely help out when they know that the main purpose of the event is to raise money for charity. The most direct way to get money for your Ice Bowl charity is by asking for it from businesses and individuals. Putting together a sponsorship form is important, especially when approaching businesses. Although the money you’re asking for may go entirely to your charity, a company chooses to sponsor events because they want exposure for their company and/or products. So, your sponsorship proposal should offer them exposure through logos on flyers, banners at the event, and inclusion in any advertising you may do. Through the use of pledge sheets, local players can solicit pledges from friends, family, and co-workers. The forms below have been used, with some success, in Kansas City.
Sponsor Form: http://icebowlhq.com/docs/ib15samplesponsorproposal.pdf
Pledge Form: http://icebowlhq.com/docs/ib15samplepledgesheet.pdf
Other Funding Ideas—In 2016, the Loco Ice Bowl in Northern Virginia was the first Ice Bowl ever to utilize Gofundme.com, which resulted in their largest donation ever. There are other sites that offer similar services. Check them out carefully for their fee structures.
Getting cash from sponsors is hard, but sometimes businesses, such as restaurants and bars, sporting goods stores, etc. are willing to donate gift certificates and/or merchandise that can be brokered into money for charity. If there were enough donated schwag, it could be used to “pay out” the winners, thus allowing the entry fees to go to the charity. Some Ice Bowls have auctioned off merchandise, most successfully when the donated items are rare or unique disc golf discs.
Other communities sell closest to the pin tickets where the person who wins gets first choice of the prizes. The CTP contest can go on all day. To get more people to play, it’s not a bad idea to limit each person to one prize. This kind of CTP contest is especially effective if the first prize is very valuable and also if there are lots of lesser prizes. Covid-19 note: Large social gatherings, an Ice Bowl tradition in many communities, should comply with all local and state regulations.
Donated items can also be turned to cash via a raffle. Again, having a desirable object of some value, such as basket or sport team tickers, etc., as the top prize will sell more tickets. A good thing about a raffle is that tickets can be sold before the event and at the event until the drawing is made.
Another fundraising idea that has been used extensively is selling mulligans. Some Ice Bowls limit the number that can be purchased or how or when they can be used. However, some Ice Bowls have placed no limits on mulligans. A few years back, Memphis encouraged would-be winners to “buy a victory,” and it happened, which greatly benefited their charity.
Some Ice Bowls run a series of warm-up tourneys in which the profits are directed towards Ice Bowl charities.
Online auctions proved very successful, especially during the 2021 Ice Bowl that was so greatly impacted by Covid. Some clubs utilized Facebook and other social media. A good auction site that can be free (until you have X number of items) is https://www.32auctions.com
8. Are there requirements as to the format of my Ice Bowl®?
How you run your Ice Bowl® is completely up to you! We have always encouraged relatively low-cost events that emphasize fun and participation for all players because there is the rest of the year to participate in more traditional, competitive events. However, we understand that some communities prefer to keep their golf events more competitive, even in the winter. Some choose to sanction their Ice Bowl® event with the PDGA, which supports the charitable mission of Ice Bowl® through its Competition Endowment Program. For more information about the CEP, see #10 below. Please note that the PDGA supports Ice Bowl®, and will not sanction an Ice Bowl® event until we have approved it. (If new to running events, we’re happy to chat with you about the question you may be having.)
9. How do we have fun or more fun?
One thing that has remained constant in disc golf through its 50+ years of existence is that disc golfers are experts at having fun. Because there are many opportunities for more serious competition within the sport, the emphasis with Ice Bowl has been primarily about fun and charity. Thus, less-formal, creative, and even “goofy” formats for these winter events have often been used. So, try something different! Play the course backwards. Create new tees. Try a new kind of doubles or triples or team golf. (One Ice Bowl tried blindfolded doubles.) Others have used the card game RIPT to spice things up. Competition is, of course, critical to the sport but it’s good to remember that it’s winter and there is a full competitive season ahead.
Having communal feasts at Ice Bowls has proven very popular; with chili as the main course most of the time. Some Ice Bowls have chili contests and give out prizes. Other have sold the chili or asked for donations, which went to the their charity.
Ideally, an Ice Bowl should be perceived as a great opportunity to have a whole bunch of fun, to do some good for the world, while getting some positive PR for disc golf in your town.
10. Our community finds it more fun when the golf is competitive and by the rules. Should we run an Ice Bowl®?
If you’re interested in PDGA points and ratings and or you are in need of insurance, then the PDGA’s Competition Endowment Program should prove attractive. The usual requirements for sanctioning are still in force and there are other stipulations. One of them is that the $2 PDGA per player fee is donated to the event charity and must be matched by the event. A minimum of 25% of entry fees must be donated to event charity, which must be a 501(c)(3) entity.
For full information: http://pdga.com/documents/competition-endowment-program-summary
11. How can we get the media aware of what we are doing?
The media is more likely to show an interest in disc golf when an event is held in conjunction with a good cause. When that good cause helps your community or region, you stand a better chance of getting some coverage. The other “hook” for getting media coverage, at least in those parts of the world where snow or ice is possible, is that Ice Bowl® events will not be postponed because of the weather. Ice Bowl organizers have access to news release templates, flyers, and other promotional materials.
Here’s a bit more about what you can do:
- Prepare a news release to be distributed at least a week to 10 days before the event.
- Follow this up with phone calls three to five days before tee-off.
- For TV stations, contact the weekend assignment editor.
- Faxing or emailing news releases saves time and money.
Another avenue is the public service announcement (PSA) for radio stations.
A sample news release and a PSA can be downloaded at the address below. Be sure to utilize both print and online versions of newspapers (including free weeklies) for free calendar listings. Here’s a sample news release: http://www.icebowlhq.com/docs/ib21news.doc.
Icebowhhq.com was created primarily as a location for Ice Bowl® promoters to register events and access promotional materials. In addition, all visitors can check out the calendar of Ice Bowl® events, several years of Ice Bowl results, and other historical data. For ongoing news, media links, and photos that we hope you’ll be sending us; we have an Ice Bowl page on Facebook. If you get a chance, please peruse the page as it gives a nice flavor of how previous Ice Bowls have unfolded.
12. How can I buy some cool Ice Bowl discs, shirts, caps, and minis?
Registered Ice Bowls® are eligible to purchase discs, minis, clothing, and possibly other items with an annual Ice Bowl® logo. Typically, this includes a selection of disc models from several manufacturers, as well a variety of shirts, towels, and headgear, and minis. These logoed items allow you to enhance the tournament experience and to raise more funds for your charity. In addition, we can create a custom logo for you that can be “personalized” to include your local event on discs and shirts. There is no obligation to buy official Ice Bowl® merchandise, although most Ice Bowl players enjoy receiving or being able to purchase a memento from the event.
Your agreement to run an Ice Bowl® allows your use of the Ice Bowl® logo for promotional purposes, which includes advertising your event on flyers, posters, and websites. However, to print your own discs, shirts or related items, a licensing agreement is required. The creation and use of other designs that include the words “Ice Bowl®” on discs or merchandise is open to negotiation and eventually, a licensing agreement.
As for plaques or trophies, we will likely be licensing a vendor or vendors to provide trophies. In addition, we will supply the logo to your trophy shop, at no charge, for use in awards only.
13. May we run an Ice Bowl® without a charitable outreach?
No. We require that all disc golf tournaments that use the trademark “Ice Bowl®” in the name if their event to raise money and/or food for a recognized charity, ideally one that helps fight hunger. In other words, if you are not interested in charitable fundraising, you will not be granted permission to use Ice Bowl® as part of your tournament’s name.
14. May we still hold an Ice Bowl and not buy any merchandise?
There is no requirement to purchase any Ice Bowl® merchandise, but most players enjoy receiving and/or having the opportunity to purchase a memento from a fun event. By running an Ice Bowl, the primary investment we ask is your time in organizing the event, raising money for a charity, and filing an Ice Bowl report form when it’s over.
15. May we make or create our own Ice Bowl clothing or discs, using either the official logo or one of our own?
Ice Bowl® is a registered trademark owned by Ice Bowl Foundation, Inc. Please contact us at info@icebowl.org about licensing possibilities. Once you register your event, you are licensed to use the words “Ice Bowl” and this year’s logos to publicize your event on flyers, websites, posters, etc.
16. What about insurance for my Ice Bowl?
We cannot provide insurance. See #10 above special PDGA sanctioning, that both makes insurance available and allows some of the PDGA fees to go to your charity.
17. Who Created the 2024 Ice Bowl® Logo?
John Dorn, who drew the Ice Bowl® logos from 2004-2006 and from 2008-2023 is back again for 2024. The color logo will be on selected full-color discs and clothing. The black and white version will be hot stamped on discs and possibly minis. After you’ve registered your event, these logos (when they are ready) will be available for promotional purposes. Check out John’s work here.
18. Who Is Behind the Ice Bowl®?
Our founder, Rick Rothstein, started playing disc golf in 1981, and like many, if not most of you; quickly became addicted, both as a player and as a promoter. After initiating the first Ice Bowl® in 1987, Rick promoted Ice Bowl as a day of disc golf solidarity in the gloom of winter through Disc Golf World News, a magazine he published for 21 years. When it all began, the basic idea was to have as many fun-loving, gutsy, crazy, and/or fanatical players show up to play some disc golf, regardless of the weather conditions.
For its first six or seven years, Ice Bowl® was casually promoted and tracked. After we made raising money for feeding the hungry a component of Ice Bowl in 1996, we got more organized, asking people to register their events and to report such information as money raised, number of players, and a brief weather report.
We are pleased and proud to report that since we started raising money for charity, disc golf Ice Bowls® have become synonymous with charitable events. Through the years, we have tracked just shy of 256,000 players at nearly 5,100 events that have raised almost $6.5 million. To help ensure that Ice Bowl® events are indeed about raising money for charity, we trademarked Ice Bowl® a few years ago.
Rick is the self-appointed Ice Bowl Instigator because, while it’s true that he provides the framework for Ice Bowl®, it is the tournament promoters/directors who do the heavy lifting—making the events and subsequent fundraising and publicity possible. The role of the Ice Bowl Foundation is to provide encouragement and be a trusted resource to help make your Ice Bowl® as successful as possible. We want every event that carries the Ice Bowl® name to be a great success.
19. Where should I go with questions?
Contact us info@icebowl.org. You can also reach out to us on Facebook. Also, once an Ice Bowl® is approved, the TD has access to valuable resources in the TD section at icebowlhq.com.
