Ledgestone to host PDGA Pro Worlds in 2024 in Lynchburg, VA

Ledgestone CEO Nate Heinold, in conjunction with the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), is happy to announce that the 2024 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships have been awarded to the Ledgestone Group. The Tournament Director for the event will be Nate Heinold, who will TD the event for the 2nd time and will TD his 7th PDGA Major by hosting this event. The event will be hosted in and around Lynchburg, VA and Bedford County. This will be the first PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championship to be held in the Commonwealth of Virginia. “The Ledgestone team is thrilled to be hosting the 2024 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships. The team put in a lot of effort to make this bid happen and we couldn’t be more excited to bring the grandest stage of our sport to Lynchburg,” said Heinold. Hosting this event in 2024 will see a five year gap from the last time the Ledgestone team hosted Pro Worlds in Peoria, IL in 2019.

Former Lynchburg, VA resident Paul McBeth was the initial inspiration for the event. “One day I called up Heinold and told him that Lynchburg could host Pro Worlds. I told him that Lynchburg had a lot to offer for activities and courses, and he quickly flew out to Lynchburg. I told him that Bedford County and Lynchburg were ready to host this event,” said McBeth. Heinold spent 3 days in Lynchburg visiting courses, inspecting hotels and venues and laying out a design for the showcase course, Ivy Hill Golf Club. Ivy Hill Golf Club will be a new course that is owned by the Runk & Pratt group, one of the event partners. “This bid would not have happened without the significant support of Chris Runk and the Runk & Pratt group. We are excited to be working closely with them to execute this event. In my opinion, the Ivy Hill Golf Club is the most beautiful golf club that’s ever been used for a disc golf event,” finished Heinold.

Photo Credit: UDisc

In addition to Ivy Hill Golf Club, the event will also feature the New London Tech Disc Golf Course. The New London Tech Course is heavily wooded and has been featured at the Battle of Bedford B Tier the last few years. Similar to course schedules used at past Pro Worlds events in 2018, 2019 and 2021, this Pro Worlds will feature one wooded course (New London Tech) and one open course (Ivy Hill). Both courses will play to around 11,500’ from the MPO tees, while the FPO tees will play to around 8,300’ at New London and 9,500 at Ivy Hill. Ivy Hill will be the location for the finals for both the MPO and FPO divisions. Competitors will play three rounds at Ivy Hill and two rounds on the wooded track at New London. The Ivy Hill course will finish with a remarkable stretch of four holes, with three par 5’s in the last four holes that offer plenty of scoring separation, including the 1200’ par 5, uphill finishing hole. Hole 17 is an island green tucked in between two willow trees over a small pond, with OB long of the basket. This four hole stretch has a stadium like finish and will provide a memorable Championship moment and a wonderful spectator experience.

“The City of Lynchburg is thrilled to partner with the Professional Disc Golf Association and the Ledgestone Group to host the 2024 PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships,” said Marjette Upshur, Director of Economic Development & Tourism for the City of Lynchburg. “We are proud to work with the PDGA and Ledgestone on this multi-day sporting event and even more proud to be selected to host more than 300 athletes from 15 different countries. We expect that this event will attract nearly 20,000 spectators throughout the course of the competition, generating direct business spending of $6.4 million in the City of Lynchburg. Sports tourism is a critical economic driver and we are excited to be on the world stage to showcase the City of Lynchburg and drive spending in our hotels, attractions, restaurants and retailers,” finished Upshur.

“Bedford County has rapidly emerged as one of the premier disc golf destinations on the East Coast due to the efforts of Bedford County Parks & Recreation. It’s very exciting to know that one of our courses will be featured on the world stage. Less than a year ago, it was our hope that the PDGA would include us on the tour. Bedford County is happy to partner with Ledgestone, the PDGA and our neighboring city of Lynchburg, VA to bring this event to our area,” said Nicole Johnson, Director of Tourism for Bedford County and Destination Bedford.

“The PDGA is thrilled to bring the PDGA Professional Disc Golf World Championships to Lynchburg, Virginia and Bedford County in 2024. The local community has been building something very special and we are excited to partner with them to host the first-ever PDGA Pro Worlds in the Old Dominion State. We have no doubt that Nate Heinold and his team of disc golf event organizers will work tirelessly with the local organizing committee to produce a memorable experience for all involved,” said Michael Downes, PDGA Director of Operations.

Stay tuned to the PDGA’s website for more information about the event!

 

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