METAMORA, Ill. – Nearly 300 golfers will tee it up in central Illinois this week to chase their dreams of playing on the elite levels of professional golf.
The 2nd Annual OSF Children’s Hospital of Illinois Championship will take place from tomorrow Wednesday through Saturday. Changes this year include the addition of WeaverRidge Golf Club with Metamora Fields Golf Club for the tournament.
This year will also feature two tours playing at one stop on both courses. The men’s All Pro Tour returns, and will be joined by the women of the ANNIKA Women’s All Pro Tour.
Gary DeSerrano is president of both tours, and says fans this week will get to see the best of both worlds.
“Both the future stars of the PGA Tour and the future stars of the LPGA Tour,” DeSerrano said. “ANNIKA Tour’s been around for 4-5 years now, and we’ve got 5 or 6 ladies already doing very, very well in the LPGA. And we’ve had a long history of graduating players to the PGA Tour, including somebody who played here last year.”
Sophia Warren of Lakewood Ranch, Florida is one of those playing in the ANNIKA Tour event this week, and says the shared spotlight with the men is another positive step for women’s sports.
“Women’s sports right now is kind of on the up-and-up. We have Caitlin Clark with the WNBA. Nelly Kodra’s just killing it with golf. And it’s great to see more people take note of women’s sports, because we’re doing some great things out here. And to have a duel event with the guys is really cool, draws more eyeballs.”
Warren says a win or a top finish to earn an exemption in the next tournament is the hope for the week, her goal is to find one or two things to improve on.
Taylor McCorkle of Jacksonville, Florida and former golfer with North Dakota State University says it’s good to bring both the men and women together this week, as everyone supports each other on both tours.
On the men’s side, former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and NFL on CBS lead game analyst Tony Romo is back in the field for this year’s tournament. Romo will look to improve, after missing the cut at last year’s tournament.
One of the contenders on the men’s side is James Piot. The Canton, Michigan native is formerly of LIV Golf and the 2021 U.S. Amateur champion says he’s looking to have some fun this weekend.
“Play the best golf I can, enjoy it, and it’s always great seeing my buddies out here, so making the most of it,” Piot said.
The tournament will utilize both WeaverRidge and Metamora Fields on Wednesday and Thursday, before the final two rounds at Metamora Fields Friday and Saturday. Fans can attend for free for all four rounds.
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