Wysocki Seeks Historic Four-Peat at Ledgestone Open

The second half of the 2023 season is underway at the Discraft Ledgestone Open Presented by Merrell, held in Peoria, IL. This Elite + event boasts higher purses, increased media attention, and a significant boost in points awarded, making it one of the most highly anticipated stops on the tour.

This year marks the second time the Elite Series has taken center stage at Ledgestone, which was first established in 2011 by tournament director Nate Heinhold. The event quickly gained popularity and grew into a National Tour Stop in 2015, featuring the largest professional purse in disc golf history. In 2016, the Ledgestone Open became an integral part of the DGPT, with every year since then featuring the top talent on the tour.

The course has undergone several changes throughout the years, but this time around, it will feature three unique layouts: Northwood Black, Sunset Hills, and Eureka Temp. The women's field will tackle Northwood Black (Rounds 1 and 4) and Sunset Hills (Rounds 2 and 3), while the men will play on Eureka Temp (Rounds 1 and 4) and Northwood Black (Rounds 2 and 3).

Northwood Black stands at an intimidating 8,678 feet for the women's field and a staggering 10,499 feet for the men. This course is almost entirely wooded, forcing players to find precise gaps off the tee and navigate through dense foliage to reach the pin. One of the most challenging holes on this layout is No. 12, a 1,050-foot par 5 that proved difficult even for the top players last season.

In contrast, Eureka Temp offers more open terrain but still presents numerous challenges. Players must contend with multiple water crossings over Eureka Lake and tight obstacle lines, as well as mandos on holes without hazards. Many holes feature out-of-bounds areas within the circle, making control crucial for success.

Sunset Hills, a par 61 layout, has been the featured course for the women's division in recent years and is known for its scorable design. This track features several water carries and OB zones, as well as sand trap hazards. A standout moment from last year's event was Holyn Handley's incredible 333-foot throw-in for an albatross on No. 6.

Last year's champions, Missy Gannon (women) and Ricky Wysocki (men), will look to defend their titles against a talented field of competitors. In the women's division, Catrina Allen is the reigning champion with five Ledgestone Open victories under her belt, including four consecutive wins from 2013-2016.

On the men's side, Ricky Wysocki is seeking his fourth consecutive victory at Ledgestone and has already taken a significant lead in the standings. With three victories (2020, 2021 tied with Calvin Heimburg, and 2022), he aims to become the first player to win this event four times.

The weather forecast suggests that Thursday and Friday will be sunny and warm, but the final two rounds may bring rain and possible thunderstorms, adding an extra layer of difficulty for competitors. The DGPT has set up a comprehensive live broadcast schedule through their YouTube channel and the Disc Golf Network (DGN), which offers exclusive coverage of top tournaments.

For those interested in following the action, here are some essential details:

* Thursday's FPO Feature Card: Missy Gannon, Alexis Mandujano, Sarah Hokom, and Catrina Allen

* Thursday's MPO Feature Card: Ricky Wysocki, Chris Dickerson, Simon Lizotte, and Corey Ellis

* Live broadcast on DGN (subscription-based) or the DGPT YouTube channel for Round 1 only

Fans can also catch up with the players during a press conference scheduled from 12:50-2:30 p.m. CT on Thursday.

As the competition heats up at the Discraft Ledgestone Open, all eyes will be on Ricky Wysocki as he chases history in the men's division, while Missy Gannon and Catrina Allen look to make their mark in the women's field. Stay tuned for daily recaps and updates from PDGA.com.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/elite-peoria