The annual Regions Tradition historically brings the heat, but thanks to Mike Minor, the steadily rising temperatures are fortunately kept to the competition among fairways and greens.
Ice is essential for everyone’s comfort and safety, but no one ever realizes how much time – and effort – is necessary for events like the Regions Tradition to take place. Mike Minor, Central Alabama Ice owner
As owner of family-run Central Alabama Ice, Minor – who has provided ice vending services for the Tradition since 2018 – knows a thing or two about the importance of bringing the chill factor to folks onsite.
“Ice is essential for everyone’s comfort and safety, but no one ever realizes how much time – and effort – is necessary for events like the Regions Tradition to take place,” said Minor.
That time and effort include six Central Alabama Ice employees onsite each day of the tournament; the delivery, installation and initial filling of total of 11,450-pound ice merchandisers the week prior to the Tradition’s start; the daily refilling of each merchandiser – which can be up to 2,000 lbs. of ice per merchandiser (or potentially 22,000 total lbs., if you like math); and finally, loading up and hauling out all ice merchandisers upon the tournament’s conclusion.
But all of this is no sweat for Minor – better known by many as “Ice Man” – who has been in the business since 1979 when he began his career as an ice delivery driver.
Though my wife and I own and operate the business, we could not function without our employees that work hard to make us look good. Mike Minor
In 2016, he and his wife, Lawayne, became first generation small business owners with the creation of Central Alabama Ice. Their Clanton, Ala.-based company now boasts one storage unit, four delivery trucks and six full-time employees, all of which enable the business to seamlessly furnish ice to convenience stores, grocery stores, construction projects and multiple special events each year throughout its service area.
But don’t attribute all the company’s success to its leadership, says Minor.
“Though my wife and I own and operate the business, we could not function without our employees that work hard to make us look good,” he said.
That hard work coupled with an initial 2018 meeting with Eventive Sports Properties – then known as Bruno Event Team – turned into an event partnership that, after seven strong years, shows no signs of cooling off.
As for Mike “Ice Man” Minor and his small business’ future? Well, the sky’s – or ice’s – the limit, especially when it comes to leaving a legacy.
“We hope to continue to expand our business and create wonderful relationships with our customers,” said Minor, “And we plan on working as long as God lets us, then pass [the company] to our daughter and grandson.”
Sounds pretty cool.
Read more Regions Tradition 2025 articles on Doing More Today.