Our humble beginnings
It started with eight friends golfing on the day after Easter. After a few years of sticking to this particular day, the same friends decided to start a spring scramble tournament at their place of employment.
The first official outing took place at Lakes of Taylor Golf Course in Taylor, MI on March 28, 1996, where the original eight friends were joined with several invitees. The fee was $45 per golfer, with no perks to speak of. All that was offered was a round of golf and a chance at $287 worth of door prizes. Most of the stuff was items only a left-handed golfer could use. Regardless, we felt we were getting a great deal.
The spring of 1996, according to the Farmer’s Almanac, was going to be unseasonably cold. On the way to the golf course, we drove through a 30-minute snowstorm. Once all 92 golfers arrived at the course, the whiteout subsided, leaving heavy frost on the greens. So we waited and waited some more, we waited for an hour and a half, until the frost was no more.
Finally, the tournament began. Smiling golfers hit the links. At the mid-point of the outing, gale force winds accompanied by freezing rain pummeled these rugged golfers. Some could not finish, claiming their hands and feet were frostbitten. Through these awful, sinister conditions was born the FrostBite Open.
2024
Golfers: 276 registered, 252 showed
Raised: $105,580
Weather: Rain in the morning causing a 30-minute delay, followed by warmer temperatures and sun.
2023 – 25th Anniversary!
Fox Hills Golf and Country Club
Golfers: 304 registered, 280 showed up
Raised: $70,527
Weather: COLD and rainy. Rain turned to hail in the afternoon.
The FrostBite Open lived up to it’s name for the 25th Anniversary! The weather forecast leading up to the day called for rain and bitter cold. A few golfers were scared away, but that allowed us to call brave teams from our waitlist to come battle the elements.
The day started out dry and bitter cold, with rain forecasted. The rain stayed away until the afternoon when things took a turn with rain and hail pelting the brave golfers. A few stuck out the weather and were able to finish all 18 holes, but many called it quits early and sought shelter in the clubhouse to await dinner.
We celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the FrostBite Open, honoring and remembering those original eight friends who set out to raise money for the children at Penrickton Center for Blind Children. We cannot say thank you enough to the sponsors, golfers, volunteers, friends and family who have made this event such a huge success!
2022
Fox Hills Golf and Country Club
Golfers: 304
Raised: $82,893
Weather: Rain, rain, rain. Much of the course was flooded!
2021
Fox Hills Golf and Country Club
Golfers: 212
Raised: $87,781 – over $1 Million total raised!!
Weather: Warm and Sunny fall day. Event held in September instead of April this year.
2020
The FrostBite Open was cancelled due to the pandemic
2019
Fox Hills Golf and Country Club
Golfers: 304
Raised: $67,500
Weather: 37 degrees and sunny
2018
Fox Hills Golf and Country Club
Golfers: 336
Raised: $72,300
Weather: 38 degrees turning to strong winds and freezing rain!
2017 – 20th year!
Fox Hills Golf and Country Club
Golfers: 380
Raised: $60,000
Six of the “Original Eight” were in attendance
2016
Fox Hills Golf and Country Club
Golfers: 380
Raised: $60,000
2015
Fox Hills Golf and Country Club
Golfers: 380
Raised: $50,000
2014
Fox Hills Golf and Country Club
Golfers: 380
Raised: $53,000
2013
Fox Hills Golf and Country Club
Golfers: 384
Raised: $40,680
2012
Fox Hills Golf and Country Club
Golfers: 384
Raised: $42,302
2011
Fox Hills Golf and Country Club
Golfers: 384
Raised: $41,487
2010
Fox Hills Golf and Country Club
Golfers: 372
Raised: $27,279
2009
Fox Hills Golf and Country Club
Weather: 85 degrees and sunny
Golfers: 272
Raised: $25,687
Hole-in-One Winner: Brian Ratliff
2008
Fox Hills Golf and Country Club
Weather: Sunny, with 3 inches of snow on the ground
Golfers: 348
Raised: $42,533
2007
White Ford Valley Golf Course
Weather: 28 degrees with sun
Golfers: 300+
Raised: $31,842
2006
White Ford Valley Golf Course
Weather: 63 degrees and sunny
Golfers: 340+
Raised: $45,323 – bringing the total raised to over a QUARTER OF A MILLION!
Frist Year for Kids Get The Cash Trophy
2005
White Ford Valley Golf Course
Golfers: 280
Raised: $40,339
2004
White Ford Valley Golf Course
Golfers: 364
Raised: $42,375
2003
White Ford Valley Golf Course
Weather: Pouring rain giving way to sunshine later in the day.
Golfers: 396
Raised: $38,380
2002
White ford Valley Golf Course
Golfers: 320
Raised: $29,198
2001
White ford Valley Golf Course
Golfers: 292
Raised: $25,331
2000
Warren Valley Golf Course
Weather: 70 degrees and sunny
Golfers: 252
Raised: $15,100
1999
Giant Oaks Golf Course
Golfers: 168
Rasied: $8,800
1998
Giant Oaks Golf Course
1st Year as a Penrickton Center Charity Event – We freeze so that we may warm the hearts of as many children as possible each year.
Golfers: 160
Raised: $5,500
1997
Lakes of Taylor Golf Course
Golfers: 144
Raised: $2,000