Disc golf 'Ice Bowl' helps food bank

There are a simple set of rules for those who participate in the Feb. 28 Ice Bowl, put on by the Augusta Disc Golf Association:

//

1. The Ice Bowl cannot be canceled or postponed under any circumstances;

2. No wimps or whiners are allowed; and,

3. There are no excuses for not attending and making a donation.

The ADGA has partnered with Golden Harvest Food Bank each year for the event. In 2008, local disc golfers raised $1,422 and 195 pounds of food for the charity, which distributes food to Augusta-area hungry.

"They are a real good group to work with," Golden Harvest spokesperson Carrie Jones said. "We enjoy it."

Entry fee for Saturday's event is $20 and a donation of non-perishable canned goods. The competition will have professional, advanced, intermediate, recreational and novice divisions. The event's administrators say the Ice Bowl is open to anyone who wants to play, per the three rules.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., followed by a players meeting. Mulligans are available for purchase at $1 each.

A chili cook-off and silent auction will be held between the first and second rounds, and first-time players will have the opportunity to select a free disc.

Golden Harvest is aiming for $1,600 in hole sponsorships and entry fees. Non-perishable food donations also will be accepted. Jones said the slow economy has had little effect thus far on the group's fundraising efforts.

"People are aware of the problem with the decline of the economy right now," Jones said. "They've really been willing to step up and participate in a lot of these things. We're really grateful for that."

The Ice Bowl is a nationwide event running from Jan. 5 until Feb. 28 that has helped support charities of the local venue's choice.