The 3rd annual Ledgestone Insurance Open presented by ABC Discs in Peoria, Illinois had a tough act to follow after last year’s event. The 2012 edition featured $10,000 of added cash to the pro purse, a huge player’s pack for amateur players (including three discs) and an awesome player’s party. Throw in perfect 75 degree sunny weather with no wind on two of the top six courses in Illinois and you had an awesome tournament.

This year, Tournament Director Nate Heinold and his staff have done their best to recreate the same atmosphere. The tournament will once again feature an unprecedented amount of added cash that rivals some National Tour events.  $10,000 will be added to all pro purses. In addition, the amateur player’s pack will rival player’s packs of any tournament. All amateur players will receive four discs, a shirt, towel, clipboard, free dinner, and more. Heinold said the success of his tournament is driven by his sponsors. “This tournament wouldn’t have happened without the support from the Peoria Area Convention Visitors Bureau, Village of Morton, City of Pekin, Peoria Frisbee Club, Erie Insurance, Paragon, Plastic Addicts, Joan’s Trophy, our presenting sponsor ABC Discs and our title sponsor Ledgestone Insurance.”

The tournament will take place Friday September 6th and Saturday September 7th in the Peoria, IL area on three local courses. The pros will play Pekin McNaughton twice and Morton’s Northwood Park on Saturday morning. From the long tees, Pekin McNaughton is a daunting par 63 measuring nearly 7,400 feet. Morton’s Northwood Park is a challenging par 58, measuring nearly 6,600 feet from the longs with three of the most beautiful finishing holes in all of disc golf. The finals will take place Saturday afternoon with a safari final 9 for the top four players in MA1, MPM, FPO, and MPO. The safari final 9 is an extremely challenging par 32 that uses 8 existing holes at Northwood Park and combines two shorter holes.

The tournament will also feature a putting competition at the check-in on Thursday night and will feature an awesome player’s party Friday night at EP’s Timeout Restaurant in East Peoria. Saturday will be the big day for spectators to come on out and watch and Gracies Chicago Grille will be on site serving their delicious barbecue food. Last year in the final 9, Nikko Locastro made a 65 foot putt on the last hole to win by one in front of a large gallery. When asked about growing this event, Nate Heinold seemed optimistic, “we’d love to take this to the next level and make this a National Tour stop.”

The pro field for the event currently features 3 of the top 6 rated women in the world, including Catrina Allen, Sarah Hokom and Des Reading. On the men’s side the current registration list includes top rated players such as Jay Reading, George Smith, Cameron Colglazier, Chris Heeren, Devan Owens, Will Schusterick, Don Smith, Dana Vicich, Jared Roan and others.
There are a few spots left, so if you’d like to play, please click here.  Feel free to check out the event Facebook page for more information and last second updates about the tournament.