The annual Ice Bowl and Chili Cook-Off at the International Disc Golf Center help battle hunger.

Whether temperatures are unseasonably warm or dip below freezing, fun will be in the forecast on Saturday, January 28 for the 15th annual Ice Bowl at the International Disc Golf Center in Appling.

The mission of the event is to showcase disc golf in an effort to combat hunger, and the tournament will benefit Columbia County Cares and Golden Harvest Food Bank. The goal this year is to raise $4,000 in monetary contributions and to collect 1,200 pounds of food.

People who bring food donations to the IDGC at Wildwood Park any time from January 23 – 28 will receive one ticket for raffle prizes for every three food items donated. The drawing will be held during the awards ceremony.

Anyone who wants to participate in the raffle without donating food can purchase tickets in the IDGC pro shop during the event. A silent auction also will be held in the IDGC lobby the day of the Ice Bowl.

“I want people to get a sense of giving back to the community,” says Samuel Northrop, the IDGC assistant tournament director. “We have the resources to do some good while we play.”

The event will include amateur and professional divisions, and there is a $35 entry fee. An additional $10 fee will be charged to players without current PDGA memberships.

“The vast majority of people who play one round of disc golf will play another time and get the bug,” says Northrop. “It’s probably more challenging, but also more fun, than it looks.”

All competitors will receive a pro shop voucher, lunch and the satisfaction of supporting a worthy cause. Each division winner will earn a trophy.

Round 1 begins with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m., and Round 2 gets underway with a shotgun start about 1:45 p.m.

A lunch break will feature the annual Chili Cook-Off, held in partnership with the Augusta Disc Golf Association. All contestants should coordinate with the ADGA board of directors in advance. The IDGC staff will judge the ranked-choice voting competition, and the winner of the Chili Cook-Off will receive a trophy as well.

This event is one of 72 Ice Bowls scheduled nationwide to fight food insecurity. “It’s one tournament in a big network that does a lot of good,” Northrop says.

As always, three cardinal rules apply to the Ice Bowls – no event will be canceled or postponed due to weather under any circumstances; no wimps or whiners allowed; and no excuses for not attending. Brrrrr-ing it on!

For more information, visit discgolfscene.com or icebowlhq.com.