Story/Photos by Chris Yucus
Where is it? 30000 Mission Camp Road, Canton, IL 61520 directions
What is Camp Kearney? Camp Kearney is a summer camp ministry of South Side Mission of Peoria. It hosts nearly 400 under-resourced children each year in camp programs. Camp Kearney DGC operates as a private course when not hosting events.
Who plays here?
Friday, Aug. 6 - Pool J (FA1/FA2); Pool S (FA40/FP40)
Saturday, Aug. 7 - Pool F (MA50); Pool G (MA55)
Sunday, Aug. 8 - Pool K (FA3/Jrs)
Cart Friendly? Yes.
Practice schedule notes: Closed Monday, Aug. 2 for Flex C Tier. No restrictions Aug. 3-5. Note: Camp Kearney is a private course when not hosting events.
Course breakdown: Par: 60. Length: 5,765 feet. Baskets: Discraft Chainstar Pro.
Camp Kearney packs in fun details with a challenging variety of open and wooded holes. The rough can be extremely heavy, with disc-snatchers ranging from tall prairie grass to swampland, and a lake that factors heavily on multiple holes.
Signature holes (and holes to watch out for):
Hole 2 - The elevated tee and cut grass island green on this swampy 217-footer sets the stage for the fun to come.
Hole 3 - A 233-footer with a shot over water to an island green that finishes with a basket dangled inside a gazebo. (Yes, you read that right.)
Hole 6 - Another chance to splash down. Shots from the long tee have to carry over roughly 200 feet of water before reaching a basket on a very narrow green, backed by a thick wall of trees.
Hole 12 - So. Many. Trees. It’s only 316 feet from tee to pin, but plenty of random lumber down the fairway and a sharp left turn carved out of a pine forest make this hole technically challenging.
Course History: A new addition to Ledgestone this year, Camp Kearney’s 18-hole layout opened in February 2021. It debuted as a 9-hole course in 2019, designed by Arin Haven. Ledgestone donated all new baskets to help transition Camp Kearney to an 18-hole course.
Fun Fact: Course designer Arin Haven said his inspiration for Hole 12, which checks in as a Par 4 despite being only 316 feet, was the world-class Camden II course in Milan, Illinois.
If you’re hungry, check out: Your own lunchbox or cooler. Camp Kearney is in a rural location, off the beaten path.
The basket on Hole 3’s island green dangles inside a gazebo, making for a tricky end to the 233-foot Par 3.
The view from Hole 6’s long tee, it’s about 200 feet to a safe landing over the lake.
Hole 12 finishes with a tunnel shot through a pine forest. It’s a tough close to the 316 foot Par 4.
