2012 has begun, and the SoCal Disc Golf Series will begin in earnest next weekend at Chavez Ridge in Los Angeles.  For quite a few years, the Ice Bowl in Paradise has been the first event on the SoCal Series calendar, and 2012 is no exception.  Previously played on the old Griffith Park Zoo course, the Ice Bowl has since moved on to the tricky hills of Chavez Ridge, where landing softly and putting fearlessly are at a premium.  We won’t say anything here about the act of “getting Chavezed”, since the motto of the Ice Bowl series of events is “No Wimps, No Whiners”.  This year’s event will be 2 rounds of 20 holes, with some new temp holes being constructed by new TD Steve Valencia.  Steve has promised that these new holes will be challenging and fun.  This tournament is a PDGA-sanctioned C-tier event and counts toward the SoCal Series.  Socal memberships will be available for sale, and SoCal has generously donated some schwag for CTPs or the prize raffle.

The Ice Bowl in Paradise is intended to be fun and competitive for participants, but like all Ice Bowl tournaments it also has a philanthropic side.  Raising funds and awareness for charity has been part of the mission of the Ice Bowl movement since it began in Columbia Missouri 25 years ago.  Since then, thousands of disc golfers have raised over $2 million for charities that feed the hungry and house the homeless.  This year’s Ice Bowl in Paradise will be raising funds for the Burbank Temporary Aid Center and Oxfam.  Some funds will come out of player entry fees, but you can add to that by playing the fun disc arcade games like Mini Accuracy and Disc Shuffleboard during lunch between rounds 1 and 2.

The Ice Bowl in Paradise is also part of the Golden Sombrero Series of Ice Bowls, a collection of seven Southern California Ice Bowls now in its 4th year.  The first event of the series was held at Ford Park in Redlands last week, with 51 players in attendance.  Local Justin Carter edged out seasoned veteran Mark Horn for the win.  Both players had scored mulligan-aided 19-unders on the 18-hole layout, with aces on Hole #4.  Justin won in a CTP playoff and took home the coveted artsy trophy.  Full results available here.

The remaining Golden Sombero events will be in San Marcos (1/14), Beaumont (1/22), Sycuan Resort in El Cajon (2/4), Wrightwood (2/25) and San Diego (2/26).  Players earn points in each event based on the number of other players they beat.  Their top four finishes are totalled, and the winner receives an Innova portable basket and a stylized golden sombrero.  All events other that the Ice Bowl in Paradise allow players to purchase mulligans for $1 each, with the proceeds from the mulligans going to local charities. 

You can sign up for the Ice Bowl in Paradise online at pdgasignup.com, or by mailing in this entry form.  More information is also available at the Discsports In Southern California Facebook page, or by calling Steve Valencia (323-420-7535) or Cliff Towne (323-574-7678).