Cold temperatures can't stop Ice Bowl

Christopher Hoffmann tees up a toss during the 2019 Ice Bowl on Saturday. The tournament, organized by the local disc golf community, raises money for charity.
Christopher Hoffmann tees up a toss during the 2019 Ice Bowl on Saturday. The tournament, organized by the local disc golf community, raises money for charity.

Ice Bowl participants braved numb fingers and cold gusts Saturday to raise money for charity.

The annual disc golf tournament drew 18 participants, according to Fulton Disc Golf Club president Tim Rickerson.

"This tournament is our annual charity fundraiser," he said between holes Saturday morning. "Our goal is to raise $1,000, and I think we're pretty close. This year, we're donating to Our House."

Our House, a Fulton-based homeless shelter, has been a recipient in previous years, he said.

Saturday's Ice Bowl was the fifth the Fulton Disc Golf Club has hosted. Entry cost $15, plus the donation of at least one canned food item. Participants played two rounds.

This year's players came from across Mid-Missouri to toss discs in sub-freezing temperatures. It's a friendly tournament, Rickerson said, without big payouts. The biggest challenge might be the conditions.

"I can't feel my hands, so that doesn't help," Christopher Hoffmann, of Sedalia, said. "The cold makes you more intentional with your shots. If you miss, with the ground this hard, your disc is going to skip pretty far."

Rickerson said the cold air also affects the way discs fly.

The mental and physical challenges are part of the appeal, said Harold Woods of Fulton.

"This sport is so fun to play," Woods said. "It's easy to get into and hard to get out of."

This is Woods' third Ice Bowl - he was there for the very first one, he said.

The community keeps him coming back. Many Mid-Missouri players frequent the same courses and tournaments, so it's easy to build friendships. It's also a good way to bond with family, said Hoffmann, whose brother also plays.

"I have friends out here that play," Thad Taylor, of Columbia, said. "I like the activity and group. We all want everyone to do as good as they can."