The Ledgestone Open is returning to Greater Peoria in 2025, and it’s bringing big excitement for disc golf fans and the local community. This isn’t just any tournament; it’s known as the largest disc golf event in the world, drawing thousands of competitors and spectators each year. Now entering its 15th year, the Ledgestone Open has become a cornerstone of the Disc Golf Pro Tour and a point of pride for the Peoria area.
The 2025 Ledgestone Open promises to be a spectacle both on and off the course. Mark your calendars for August 14–17, that’s when the pros will tee off in Central Illinois for four days of elite competition. Tournament rounds will be played at three premier area courses: the notorious Northwood Park (Black course) in Morton, the scenic Lake Eureka Park course in Eureka for MPO (Men’s Pro Open), and the beautiful Sunset Hills Golf Course in Pekin for FPO (Women’s Pro Open).
Northwood Black in particular is legendary – it’s considered perhaps the hardest disc golf course in the world, featuring a brutal 1,050-foot wooded par-5 on hole 12. After a year off the schedule, Northwood Black returns to challenge the pros in 2025, so you can expect some high drama in those woods.
This tournament is a major stop on the Disc Golf Pro Tour, designated as an Elite+ event, meaning even more prestige, points, and fanfare. The world’s top-ranked players will be here vying for the title. Last year’s Ledgestone Open champions, Gannon Buhr and Holyn Handley, dominated the field, and you can bet they and other stars will be back to defend and challenge. With a hefty purse and 2025 planning a record amount of added cash, the Ledgestone Open attracts all the sport’s big names. Don’t be surprised to see legends like Paul McBeth, Catrina Allen, or Paige Pierce strolling around the fairways.
More Than Just a Tournament: A Week of Fun Activities
One thing that makes Ledgestone truly special is that it’s more than just a four-day tournament. It’s practically a week-long festival of disc golf.
Starting the weekend before the main event, a series of “Flex C-Tier” mini-tournaments will be hosted at local courses all around the area. These casual, one-round events are open to all players and give locals and visiting disc golfers plenty of chances to get involved and play.
One exciting addition is the Downtown Disc Golf Experience, a unique two-day event where a temporary 18-hole disc golf course is set up throughout downtown Peoria’s riverfront. Imagine tossing discs among landmarks like the Peoria Riverfront Museum and the Caterpillar Visitors Center.
Throughout the week, there will also be meet-and-greet opportunities with the pro players, autograph sessions, and Q&A panels. Last year featured pros scooping ice cream and signing discs in Lake Eureka Park, and 2025 promises similar family-friendly fun. There are also kids’ activities, disc golf clinics, bounce houses, and even a $10,000 hole-in-one contest and glow-in-the-dark night golf.
If you love disc golf gear, don’t miss the vendor fairs. The FlyMart is a huge draw, where disc golf brands and shops sell exclusive discs, gear, apparel, and accessories. A major FlyMart and block party is planned in downtown Morton on Friday night, featuring food trucks and live music.
In short, Ledgestone week is absolutely packed with things to do. Even if you’re not competing, you can participate in clinics, try the downtown course, volunteer at the event, or just enjoy the festival atmosphere. Peoria really comes alive with disc golf fever during this time of year.
Local Disc Golf Courses
Beyond the tournament itself, the Greater Peoria region has become one of the most exciting disc golf destinations in the country. Our local scene is thriving with a wide variety of courses for every skill level, thanks in part to years of investment and passion from the disc golf community.
Here are a few standout courses:
- Bradley Park (Peoria): A classic, beloved local course with wooded fairways, elevation changes, and a mix of challenge and fun.
- Eureka Lake Park (Eureka): Home to the final rounds of Ledgestone, the course offers lake-side holes, elevation, and iconic views, including the famous “water tower shot.”
- Illinois Central College (East Peoria): A well-maintained course on a college campus that blends open shots with technical wooded holes. With rolling hills and clean fairways, ICC offers a balanced layout that’s great for both casual rounds and tournament play.
- McNaughton Park (Pekin): A picturesque course with open bomb shots and wooded holes. Its signature downhill hole is a favorite among long-throwing players.
- Northwood Park – Black + Blue (Morton): Known for being one of the toughest courses in the world, the Black layout is a grueling test even for the best players. The Blue layout is a great challenge in its own right and has hosted past world championship rounds.
- Sunset Hills (Pekin): A golf-course-turned-disc-golf-course with wide open fairways, golf carts, and a professional-level layout used by the FPO division.
- Washington Park (Washington): A beginner-friendly course that’s great for casual play and improving your short game. With shorter holes and a relaxed layout, it’s perfect for families, newer players, or a quick round.
- Wildlife Prairie Park (Hanna City): A scenic, nature-immersed course set within a unique wildlife preserve. Wildlife’s layout offers a mix of open fields and tight wooded shots, with elevation and natural obstacles that challenge players while highlighting the park’s stunning surroundings.
Local Shopping for Disc Golf Gear
UNDERDOG Sports & Fanfare (Peoria): A well-stocked store offering both new and used discs from an extensive range of brands—including Innova, Discraft, Dynamic Discs, Axiom, and more. They also carry carts, glow discs, accessories, apparel, and retrievers.
