Tree clearing hasn't started in Wildwood Park by the IDGC; timeline uncertain
November 16, 2023 by Charlie Eisenhood in News with 0 comments
Put the pumpkins away.
The 2024 Champions Cup, originally rescheduled from its typical April slot to late October due to a pine beetle infestation that will require rebuilding courses at the International Disc Golf Center, is moving again.
The PDGA announced today that Champions Cup will now be held in late June at the Northwood Black disc golf course in Morton, Illinois, due to uncertainty about the timeline for tree removal around the IDGC.
“As of November 16, the tree-clearing on the IDGC portions of Wildwood Park has not commenced,” wrote the PDGA. “Due to these delays, and the possibility of further delays, the PDGA has made the decision to again reschedule the 2024 PDGA Champions Cup.” Originally, the goal had been to begin working on new course development after Thanksgiving with the hope of having a playable course ready for late Spring.
The tournament will take place on June 27-30, 2024, over four rounds on the course typically in use at the Discraft Ledgestone Open. The tournament director for both Champions Cup and Ledgestone, Nate Heinold, said that Ledgestone will not feature Northwood Black this year, instead putting all four rounds on the Lake Eureka temporary course for MPO and Sunset Hills for FPO.
“It’s a little sad for Ledgestone, but it’s also very good for the Champions Cup,” said Heinold. Ledgestone will remain a four-round DGPT+ event.
Live broadcasting has been a challenge at Northwood Black in the past, but significant investments into private cellular networking equipment from the DGPT and fiber internet connectivity by the Ledgestone team has improved the broadcasting capability in the deep woods. There is now permanent internet installed at Northwood, and a new cell tower was put in 1.5 miles northwest of the course. A new parking lot is also being built to improve the course’s infrastructure.
Champions Cup will slot between The Preserve in Minnesota on the previous weekend and the Des Moines Challenge in Iowa on the following. It will be the first MPO major of the season and the second FPO major after the US Women’s Disc Golf Championship takes place in Texas in March.
