What the Heck Is the Frostbite Scramble?

Who says golf is a summer sport? Certainly not us.

Every winter, we turn frozen Silver Lake into a nine-hole golf course. We plow the course, shovel the greens and set up tee boxes. Instead of golf balls, everyone gets a tennis ball. Instead of worrying about having the right clubs, bring whatever you think might work.

A golf club? Sure. Hockey stick? Absolutely. Broom? Why not. A 2x4? We've seen stranger things.

You and your teammates work your way around the course in a best-ball scramble, competing for bragging rights and probably doing a little heckling along the way.

It's golf, Wisconsin winter style. And the best part? Every dollar we raise through this event helps support the men and women who respond when our community needs them most.

SEE PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS YEARS

The Details

What should you wear? Dress for a Wisconsin winter. Warm layers and footwear appropriate for snow and ice are a good idea. Costumes are even better, provided you can still swing whatever you're using as a golf club.

Registration

Grab your friends, coworkers, family members or anyone else who makes questionable decisions in January. You can register an entire foursome or sign up individually.

Register early: These prices are available through November 25, 2026. Registration prices increase after that date.

REGISTER FOR THE FROSTBITE SCRAMBLE

Event Day Schedule

The Costume Contest Is Back!

A Ridiculous Event. A Serious Impact.

The Timothy Gahagan Memorial Frostbite Scramble is a fundraising event of Silver Circle Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The event raises funds to support two organizations that are always there when our community needs them:

• Summit Police Department
• Western Lakes Fire District

Over the years, funds from the Frostbite Scramble have helped provide equipment, protective gear and specialized training for our first responders. These aren't luxuries. They're tools that help keep our community and the people who protect it safer.

We've raised more than $125,000, thanks to participants, sponsors, donors and volunteers. Our goal for 2027 is simple: keep building on that impact.

Why We Play: Honoring Timothy Gahagan

The Frostbite Scramble started because of our dad, Tim, and the people who were there for our family when we needed them.

In 2012, our father experienced a medical emergency. Within moments of our call for help, police, firefighters and EMS personnel were at our home. Some arrived still wearing their civilian clothes. Many were volunteers who had dropped whatever they were doing to help our family.

It was one of those moments that changes how you look at the people who serve your community. We realized just how much these men and women give, often without expecting anything in return.

We wanted to find a way to say thank you. So we came up with an idea that made perfect sense to us: a golf outing in the middle of winter on a frozen lake.

In October 2013, our family made its final 911 call for our dad. Once again, members of the Western Lakes Fire District and Summit Police Department responded. Two weeks later, Tim passed away.

Today, the event proudly carries his name: The Timothy Gahagan Memorial Frostbite Scramble.

It's our way of remembering our dad, thanking the people who helped our family and making sure those same first responders have the equipment and resources they need to help someone else's family.

That's why we play. And that's why we keep coming back every winter.

Be a Hero. Sponsor a Hole.

Want to support our first responders, promote your business and spend a Saturday golfing on a frozen lake? We can help with all three.

Not a golfer? That's perfectly fine. Sponsorships and donations are just as important as having people out there swinging hockey sticks at tennis balls.

Silent Auction, Raffles & Donations

You don't have to play golf to help us make a difference.

Our fundraising activities include silent auction items, raffles and other opportunities to support the Summit Police Department and Western Lakes Fire District.

We're always looking for businesses and individuals interested in donating items, gift certificates, experiences or other goodies for the auction and raffles.

If you'd like to contribute something, email info@silvercirclesportsevents.com.

We'll share the 2027 auction details and available items as they are confirmed. Keep an eye on the auction page for updates.

VISIT THE AUCTION PAGE MAKE A DONATION

Donations are made through Silver Circle Foundation, Inc. and designated to support our local first responders.

The Golf Course

Our frozen fairways may not be Augusta National, but we think they're a lot more entertaining.

Depending on the number of golfers, we may have more than nine holes available. Everyone's official score is based on their assigned nine-hole round.

How the Best-Ball Scramble Works

1. Tee Off: Everyone on the team hits a shot from the tee box.
2. Pick the Best Shot: Your team chooses the best result. We strongly recommend choosing the ball that's closest to the hole, but you do you.
3. Move and Hit Again: Everyone moves to the selected location and plays the next shot from there.
4. Repeat: Keep selecting the team's best shot until the ball is in the hole.
5. Record Your Score: Write down your team's score and move to the next hole.

Important: Scoring begins at your assigned starting hole. You cannot play extra holes and then pick your nine best scores. Nice try, though.

The Official Rules (Yes, We Have Some)

• You must use the tennis ball provided by the event.
• You can strike the ball with almost any instrument, including your foot. The ball must be resting on the ground when struck. No lifting the ball to hit it.
• All tee shots must be played from the designated tee-box mat.
• The maximum score on any hole is 13. At that point, it's time to accept defeat and move along.
• If another group's ball gets in your way, you may gently move it. A good slap with a 5-iron has traditionally been encouraged.
• Please repair your divots. Yes, we know you're golfing on ice.
• Heckling other foursomes is allowed and encouraged. Keep it friendly.

Most important rule: Have fun. This is a fundraiser, not the PGA Tour. There are no professional scouts hiding behind a snowbank.

On-Course Contests

Think you're pretty good with that hockey stick? We've got a few extra ways to test your skills.

• Closest to the Sasquatch (aka porto)
• Longest Drive
• Closest to the Crapper
• Longest Putt (Indoor)

Contests can be purchased during registration, through our online store or on event day. All contests are 50/50 cash-prize events, unless you decide to donate your winnings back to the cause.

VIEW CONTESTS & EVENT STORE

2027 Course Map

The updated 2027 course map will be posted before event day. We may adjust the layout based on lake conditions and the number of participating golfers.

Questions, sponsorships or auction donations?

info@silvercirclesportsevents.com

The Timothy Gahagan Memorial Frostbite Scramble
A Silver Circle Foundation, Inc. fundraising event