Concerts, a drone show and Tony Romo: New Illinois pro golf tournament to get rousing start

PEORIA, Illinois — Tony Romo found a golf tournament in central Illinois on which he just couldn’t pass.

The former Dallas Cowboys star quarterback and NFL broadcast analyst will be in the field for the inaugural Children’s Hospital of Illinois Championship at Metamora Fields Golf Club in late June.

And before that All-Pro Tour four-day tournament begins on June 28, Romo will play in a Pro-Am at Metamora Fields on June 27. It’s all part of a June 26-July 1 week of concerts, drone shows and pro golf with celebrities mixed in at Metamora Fields.

“It’s been something I’ve been hoping to bring to town since we purchased Weaver Ridge,” Metamora Fields general manager Matt Rogers said. “Once I got the renovations finished at Weaver Ridge and we got past the pandemic I got back to putting together events at Metamora Fields with a charitable cause in mind. Great golf and a great cause coming together.”

Romo will visit Children’s Hospital in Peoria on the morning of June 27. Then the quarterback/broadcaster/golfer will tee off in the Pro-Am at Metamora Fields at 1 p.m.

Celebrities and golfers from the Pro-Am will be invited to mingle with fans at a meet-and-greet on the evening of June 27 at Metamora Fields, and it’s likely Romo will accept.

Then on Wednesday, he tees off in the four-day All-Pro Tour event.

“This will only be the third time Tony has played in the All-Pro Tour,” Rogers said. “He played in 2018 and 2022 previously.”

More: Golfweek’s Best 2022: Top public and private courses in Illinois

You can see the 130 active All-Pro Tour players listed on the tour’s website.

The APT has produced PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour notable players like Mark Hensby, J.L. Lewis, Tim Herron, Cameron Beckman, Bubba Watson, Ryan Palmer, Scottie Scheffler, Hayden Buckley, Michael Arnaud and Will Zalatoris. The ATP’s Top 25 players are confirmed for the Metamora tournament.

Concerts and drones

On Monday, June 26, Metamora Fields will host the first of two days of a Pro-Am. Then Monday night, a drone show — 200 drones forming a light show in the sky.

On Tuesday, June 27, musical artists Donny Lee (6:30 p.m.), Meghan Patrick (7:30 p.m.) and Mitchell Tenpenny (9 p.m.) will perform concerts on the Metamora Fields driving range. Tickets for the concert are $29.99 and can be purchased online through USA Concerts and Events.

The All-Pro Tour first contacted Rogers in mid-November of 2022 with interest in creating a tour stop at the course. It was an incredibly fast turnaround from there, he said, and resulted in a two-year deal. Rogers is already thinking about how to make the week bigger and better in 2024.

“The (Metamora Fields owners) Rings and the Brinkmans built the course with hopes of bringing a world-class facility to central Illinois that would benefit the community,” Rogers said. “This event will now bring national attention to our community and will hopefully put a spotlight on all of central Illinois.

“This will be a great opportunity to also bring attention to the OSF Healthcare Children’s Hospital of Illinois and all of the great things they are doing for the kids.

“All proceeds will benefit the children’s hospital and 100% of the money will stay local.”

The ATP tourney includes an estimated $162,000 purse, with $30,000 for the winner.

“It’s going to be the biggest professional golf tournament ever seen in the Peoria area,” Rogers said. “It’s been a huge task getting this put together, but we’re excited, and we’re proud of what we’re bringing to the area.”

Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men’s basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com.