The John Deere Classic was honored with the PGA Tour’s “Most Engaged Community” award, marking the eighth time the Quad Cities tournament has earned the distinction.
The award was presented Thursday, Dec. 7, during the Tour’s annual meeting of tournament representatives and Tour staff in Palm Springs, California.
In a news release from the JDC, tournament officials said factors taken into consideration for “Most Engaged Community” include spectator attendance, volunteer support and how well the community is weaved into the overall flavor of the tournament.
The honor highlights the successful JDC’s 52nd edition, which was held July 6-8 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis.
In addition to having strong attendance, the JDC initiated its first “Concerts on the Course” events, which featured Darius Rucker and Blake Shelton. The tournament had 2,400 volunteers while 478 charities participated in the tournament’s highly successful Birdies for Charity program.
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The 2023 PGA tournament helped raise a record $14.1 million for charity and provided each charity with a 7.5% bonus on money raised.
“The John Deere Classic is excited and honored to receive the 2023 “Most Engaged Community“ award for the eighth time,” said JDC Tournament Director Andrew Lehman. “A large percentage of the Quad Cities community is involved either directly or indirectly in the tournament, including nearly 500 local charities, 2,400 volunteers, the many local companies who support the event through hospitality sales, and, of course, John Deere without whose support the tournament would not be possible.”
The 53rd edition of the Quad Cities-based PGA Tour event will be conducted July 3-7, 2024, at TPC Deere Run with Sepp Straka as defending champion.
The John Deere Classic, which includes Birdies for Charity, is a 501(C)3 nonprofit organization located in the tournament offices at 15623 Coaltown Road, East Moline. Founded in 1971, the tournament has raised $174 million for charity since its inception.
