Whitehorse disc golfers went about 700 over par on Sunday.
In the inaugural WDGA Rendezvous Ice Bowl, members of the Whitehorse Disc Golf Association raised $1,220 for the Whitehorse Food Bank, far exceeding the original goal of $500.
“We had excellent support from the volunteers and the people who were willing to pledge. It was really great to see,” said WDGA president Ryan Norquay. “We exceeded our goal by more than double. We haven’t weighed the food (donations) yet, but it feels like a good 60, 70 pounds worth.”
Sunday’s tournament in Whitehorse was one of over 200 Ice Bowls that took place across North America over the last two months - all with the objective of feeding the needy.
The Ice Bowl initiative was first started by the Kansas City Flying Disc Club out of Missouri in 1996. Since then it has grown to include clubs across North America and has raised over $3.1 million (not counting this year). Last year 238 Ice Bowl events took place, raising a record $344,184.
WDGA’s Ice Bowl, which was the most northern of them all, raised more than some larger clubs down south. They pulled that off despite having only seven golfers out on the temporary Solstice Disc Golf Course neat Yukon College.
“I didn’t expect too many to come out - there aren’t too many people who disc golf during the winter - but for the small amount of people I feel we raised a large amount of money,” said Whitehorse’s Alan Hill.
“Today was great. It was a fundraiser so it wasn’t about playing, it was about raising money and food for the Whitehorse Food Bank.”
While the tournament was more about charity than competition, it should be noted Hill carded a 60 to end the 20-hole round on par and win his first tournament.
Sheldon Casselman placed second, one stroke back from Hill, and Ben Monkman came third with a 66.
Hill finished the “front 10” two over, four strokes behind Casselman, who had a bit of bad luck on the back.
“Sheldon played really well,” said Hill. “It was one hole for Sheldon - I think hole 8 - he carded a five because he got a really unfortunate slide. His disc landed upside down on his approach shot and slid to the bottom of the hill ... That double bogey turned it all around.”
Hill and the Whitehorse Food Bank weren’t the only winners on the day. Carole Dumont won the chili cook-off with her spicy creation.
“It was exciting golf, for sure,” said Norquay. “It was nice to see the scores go back and fourth between the two rounds.
“It was great everyone had a belly full of chili. The chili cook-off went just amazing. We had three volunteers produce a big crockpot of chili and we were able to award a trophy for the best chili. We’re looking forward to see that as a future tradition.”
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com