Organizers hope weather is better for the Ice Bowl

Conditions were miserable at Patriots Park last year for the annual Ice Bowl, a disc golf event that benefits the Golden Harvest Food Bank.

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But true to the event's nature, the event was a success. Despite a steady rain, the event raised $771 and more than 100 pounds of food.

"Last year, it was a pretty gloomy day," Golden Harvest spokesperson Carrie Jones said. "It had just been raining the whole day. Every one of them came out there and were just as happy as could be to be out there."

The folks at Golden Harvest will be hoping for better weather and more giving attitudes when the latest Ice Bowl is held Saturday at Patriots Park. In 2008, the event raised nearly $1,500 and close to 200 pounds of food.

Daniel Swenson, last year's champ, said the rain kept some players away because they feared injury with the wet conditions.

"It was the worst of weather," Swenson said. "People are not going to risk getting injured."

That doesn't fit with the Ice Bowl rules, which state the event cannot be postponed, that no wimps or whiners are allowed, and that there are no excuses for not attending or making a donation.

Registration for the event will start Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Cost is $20 and a donation of non-perishable food for Golden Harvest. There will be five different divisions based on experience and ability.

Mulligans can be purchased for $1 apiece. A chili cook-off and silent auction will be held between the first and second rounds.

"It's a great event," Jones said. "And these guys are a really fun group. We're just appreciative that they're doing a collection for us."

The Ice Bowl at Patriots Park is associated with the Augusta Disc Golf Association. Another Ice Bowl will be held at the end of the month.

The Professional Disc Golf Association will hold its Ice Bowl on Jan. 30 at the International Disc Golf Center at Wildwood Park. Registration for the event begins at 9 a.m. and play starts an hour later.

Cost is $20 plus a food donation, with proceeds going to Columbia County Cares Food Bank.