First Flight - Ams only A-Tier - March 29th & 30th

[Aces and Chains]

A-Tier Amateur only PDGA sanctioned tournament.

March 29th & 30th.

Three 18 hole rounds at Channahon Community Park, and Round Barn Farm DGC in Manhattan, IL over the course of two days. See below for course schedules.

Channahon Community Park is one of the most picturesque courses in the J-Town area. Thanks to the Sodfather, Frank Grimes, this course always looks great. Cement tee pads, and benches at many of the holes, it's a great place to play. Hole 4 has a raised green, as does hole 11. Hole 9 and 14 will test your distance. The course has an even mix of lefty and righty shots. Definitely a must play if you are in the area.

Round Barn Farm is one of the newest courses in the area. With two sets of championship level baskets on each hole, it has a lot of variety of shots. There are also 3 water holes on the course, giving it that pucker factor. Playing thru mature trees, it is also a scenic course to play. RBF is a great addition to the J-town area.

I am working hard to get sponsors so I can make this the best event possible for the players. I'll list the players pack as it stands right now, but it may change (for the better) as more sponsors come on board.

Players Pack:

Innova Disc
Latitude/Westside Disc
Local Disc Golf Calendar
Long Sleeve Dry Fit T-shirt (Must pre-register by February 14th!)
Commemorative Poster
Tournament Mini
Players Guide

Both discs in the players pack are to be determined as we get closer to the tournament and see what each manufacturer has available.

Registration fee is $50 cash (at the shop) or $52 online. Pre-registration is mandatory. We will not be taking walk ups for this tournament. Also, since it's an A-tier, PDGA membership is a requirement. Pre-register at: http://www.acesandchains.com/node/21

Information about check in times, players meeting(s), and tee times will be available as we get closer to the tournament dates.

Tentative division schedule:

Saturday (2 rounds):

Channahon Community Park (Tee time: 9:30am):

All Advanced divisions
Intermediate

Round Barn Farm (Tee time: 9:00am):

All women's divisions
Recreational
Novice
All Jr. divisions

Sunday (1 round + final 9 for Adv. Men):

Channahon Community Park (Tee time: 9:00am):

All women's divisions
Recreational
Novice
All Jr. divisions

Round Barn Farm (Tee time 9:30am):

All Advanced divisions
Intermediate


We have room for 144 players in this tournament, and I expect it to fill. Pre-registration is open as of today.

Thanks again to everyone in the disc golf community for your continued support! I couldn't do it without you.

[Mcfrolfer]

The wife and I are really looking forward to this. We will sign a.s.a.p. Do you have a voulenteeer sign up anywhere yet? I would like to help out if I can.

[Aces and Chains]

That's awesome Shawn, I really appreciate that! I will put out a call for volunteers as it gets closer and I will create a list of what needs to be done. Currently, the biggest thing I need help with is getting sponsors. The more sponsors, the more return I can give to the players. I would like to get some cash sponsors so I can increase the players pack. That'll be the toughest type of sponsor to get. But we can also use CTP/hole sponsors. I'm attaching my sponsor letter to this post in case anyone wants to take a crack at it. It's hard work, but can be very rewarding when you get that first "Yes."

You'll need Powerpoint to open it.

Note that I've set my sights high, but that you can down sell any of these sponsorships for as little as half of what is listed. Any sponsor, no matter how small, is welcome. Every little bit helps.

[Aces and Chains]

Here is the current list of sponsors. I will add to it as we get more. Please support the sponsors below, as they support disc golf!!!


Players Party Sponsor:

Traditions Restaurant and Pub
3000 W. Jefferson St.
Joliet, IL

Players Pack Sponsors:

Top Secret Studios - Ryan Fancher (Great attention to detail! Screen printer and vinyl signs) 206-225-3656
Innova
Latitude 64/Westside Discs
Fast Printing of Joliet (Always do a great job on the posters) 815-723-0080
Aces and Chains

Card Sponsors:

MVP
Vibram

Hotel/Flymart Sponsor:

Holiday Inn in Joliet is the sponsoring hotel and has offered a preferred rate of $89 for First Flight participants. Just mention First Flight when you reserve a room, or follow this link:

http://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/joliet/jotso/hoteldetail?qAdlt=1&qChld=0&qRms=1&qIta=99801505&qGrpCd=FFG&qPSt=0&qSmP=3&qWch=0&qSHp=1&qBrs=6c.hi.ex.rs.ic.cp.in.sb.cw.cv&qSrt=BRAND_SORT&qRpp=25&qRRSrt=rt&qFRA=1&srb_u=1&icdv=99801505


Hole Sponsors:

The Hollywood Casino and Hotel - https://www.hollywoodcasinojoliet.com/

Mr Sub on Jefferson in Joliet. (Once again, Mr Sub comes thru! Great food, and great owner! Tell them Aces and Chains sent ya!)

Blaine Schepp - Fox Valley Metro President
TownePlace Suites by Marriott
Nevin's Brewing Company - Plainfield
Smokey's BBQ - Joliet
Paul Kenney - Great DG lessons, and he runs the Sunrise League in Bartlett
The Penalty Box - Plainfield
RQ! - Shorewood
Aurelios Pizza - Joliet
Larry Pennuto

[xgibbyx]

Registered! I know this is going to fill up quick!

[Aces and Chains]

I know this question is going to come up, so I'll post the answer ahead of time:

Pros rated under 970 can play in the Advanced division in an A, B, or C-tier PDGA sanctioned tournament.

[ChainBanger]

Already registered myself.  I will contact Towch again.  They sent a CTP pack for the J-town Fest, maybe they will do the same for this. 

[Aces and Chains]

Thanks Joe, I appreciate the assist!

MVP is on board as a card sponsor. Just received 36 Proton Volts.

Vibram is also on board as a card sponsor. I should receive their contribution soon.

Thanks to MVP and Vibram, the winner of each 2nd round card, and 3rd round card will receive a free disc as a prize for winning their card!

[Mcfrolfer]

Thanks Joe, I appreciate the assist!

MVP is on board as a card sponsor. Just received 36 Proton Volts.

Vibram is also on board as a card sponsor. I should receive their contribution soon.

Thanks to MVP and Vibram, the winner of each 2nd round card, and 3rd round card will receive a free disc as a prize for winning their card!

Awesome news sir, keep it rolling!

[Aces and Chains]

Please note that you have to pre-register by February 14th to get the long sleeve dry fit t-shirt! It's a $25 value, so pre-register early so you don't miss out!

[Aces and Chains]

Final 9 for the top four advanced players:

I have play tested a 9 hole safari setup at RBF for the final 9. It's really going to test each players skill level, and could easily result in the top four places changing during the last 9 holes. Only the top 4 Advanced players will play it, and spectators are encouraged. I plan to have a portable leaderboard for the top 4 so spectators can easily see the scoring changes from hole to hole.

[Aces and Chains]

I'm very happy to add The Hollywood Casino and Hotel to our list of sponsors.

Hotel: The Hollywood Hotel has generously offered a discount for your stay during the tournament of $89 per night. Just mention the booking code "FLIGHT" at the time of booking to get the discounted rate. This will also help us track guests brought into The Hollywood Hotel by the tournament and it's advertising. Call 1-888-436-7737 to book your room(s). They are conveniently located minutes away from the Channahon Course.

Epic Buffet: They have also offered a $6 discount that can be used at The Epic Buffet. Dig into a never-ending parade of flavors - Prime rib, seafood, pasta, salads, a sweet collection of delectable desserts, and plenty more. The Epic Buffet is a great place to eat and relax after your rounds. Details on the discount, and how to get it will be included in your players pack.

Hole Sponsor: The Hollywood Casino has also generously offered to provide two certificates good for one free dinner, and a one night stay at The Hollywood Hotel! These will be given away to two lucky players over the course of tournament weekend.

https://www.hollywoodcasinojoliet.com/

Remember to support our sponsors, as they support disc golf!

[xgibbyx]

I'm very happy to add The Hollywood Casino and Hotel to our list of sponsors.

Hotel: The Hollywood Hotel has generously offered a discount for your stay during the tournament of $89 per night. Just mention the booking code "FLIGHT" at the time of booking to get the discounted rate. This will also help us track guests brought into The Hollywood Hotel by the tournament and it's advertising. Call 1-888-436-7737 to book your room(s). They are conveniently located minutes away from the Channahon Course.

Epic Buffet: They have also offered a $6 discount that can be used at The Epic Buffet. Dig into a never-ending parade of flavors - Prime rib, seafood, pasta, salads, a sweet collection of delectable desserts, and plenty more. The Epic Buffet is a great place to eat and relax after your rounds. Details on the discount, and how to get it will be included in your players pack.

Hole Sponsor: The Hollywood Casino has also generously offered to provide two certificates good for one free dinner, and a one night stay at The Hollywood Hotel! These will be given away to two lucky players over the course of tournament weekend.

https://www.hollywoodcasinojoliet.com/

Remember to support our sponsors, as they support disc golf!

Wow! You know what, if I have the money, I'm going to get a room for the weekend with my wife just to take advantage of this generous offer - and support those who support disc golf!

[Aces and Chains]

I appreciate that Rob! The more players we have that take advantage of the offer, the more likely they are to continue their support again next year. I tried to get them to be the title sponsor this year, but I couldn't get them to pull the trigger. If they see enough support, maybe next year they will. In order to make this a full A-tier (with Pros included) in the future, I'll need a title sponsor. So definitely, if you can stay at the hotel, that would be great!

[Aces and Chains]

Huge shout out to Blaine Schepp for a generous hole sponsor donation! Blaine donated a $45 Aces and Chains gift card that will go as a CTP on one of the courses.