On what was just a perfect day for a round of fall golf, the John Deere Classic and Birdies for Charity revealed that the 2024 JDC tournament generated a record $15.97 million for the 476 participating local and regional charities.
The total – an astounding $15,976,574.68 – not only surpassed last year’s record by more than $1.8 million but also resulted in an 8% bonus being added on to all the individual charities’ totals, tournament officials announced on Thursday, Oct. 10.
“The John Deere classic is proud of and grateful for the record charity numbers the tournament helped generate this year,” JDC Tournament Director Andrew Lehman told the crowd gathered at the John Deere Pavilion in Moline. “It couldn’t have happened without the steadfast support of John Deere, our sponsors and volunteers and, of course, our fans.”
Thanking all those groups and in particular, Moline-based John Deere, he said “We hands down have the best title sponsor on the PGA Tour. The John Deere Classic is so special, they trust us with their 180-year-old plus brand to execute and deliver every year.”
To this year’s charities, Mr. Lehman said “Thank you so much for trusting us to deliver the program to you, to do the work that we do. … What you guys are accomplishing in this community is so inspiring and we’re happy to be such a big part – hopefully a big part of – what you guys are doing.”
Year for records
The attendees, who crowded around the John Deere Pavilion’s display floor and stood among the massive green machines, included JDC board members, volunteers, supporters and representatives of the charities.
After cheering when Mr. Lehman initially revealed a tote board total of $14,976,574, the crowd was pleasantly surprised – hooping and hollering – as he removed the first 4 to unveil the real grand total of $15,976,574.
After the actual total was revealed, Birdies for Charity Director Micaela Booth said. “This number is so special because next year we’ll get to see you take it out in the community … and make our community better.”
“From health and wellness to cultural enrichment and essential services, our nonprofits are there for the community,” she said. “The Birdies for Charity program gives them a turnkey fundraising campaign and additional revenue to help them continue their vital work.”
The 2024 tournament surpassed the 2023 JDC fundraising record of $14,102,833 by more than $1.8 million.
This year’s golf tournament – played July 4-7 at TPC at Deere Run in Silvis – saw Davis Thompson, 25, emerge as the champion after shooting a tournament record 28-under par. He also distinguished himself as becoming the 24th first-time winner of the Quad Cities-based PGA Tour event, which marked its 53rd year this summer.
“There’s just so many people that you rely on that are tremendous at their jobs,” 2024 volunteer JDC Chairman Kevin Rafferty told the QCBJ. “And year after year, the goal is set higher and they all continue to surpass it.”
Mr. Rafferty, who led the more than 2,300 JDC volunteers this year, agreed with Mr. Lehman’s assessment. “We have the best title sponsor, Andrew said it, in John Deere. To work with them has been an honor,” the owner of Rafferty Funeral Home, Moline, said.
In addition to all the staff and volunteers’ efforts, he said the success also comes from the generosity of the Quad Cities. “We’re approaching the $200 million mark (in donations) since the tournament began,” Mr. Rafferty added. “We’re really excited and it’s a great way to conclude the year for our community.”
Charities appreciative
Following the fundraising reveal, the charities picked up their organizations’ checks from this year’s Birdies for Charity.
Bill Stoermer proudly held a $41,000 check for SAL Community Services, of which he is the volunteer board chairman. “We’re just so blessed by the people who pledged to SAL and allow us to continue our focus on early childhood education,” he said.
For Scouting America – Illowa Council in Davenport as well as other nonprofits, the timing of the Birdies checks provides a huge financial boost at the year’s end. Illowa’s Scout Executive and CEO Jonathan Cartner said “It’s a very important contribution to our overall budget. We are so thankful for John Deere and the John Deere Classic and all they do for the community.”
Gary Francque, a former Moline police chief, was picking up the donation for the Center for Belgian Culture. “It’s a good fundraiser for our organization. We fund our (four annual) high school scholarships with Birdies money,” he said.
Jeff Condit, the development director for Friendship Manor in Rock Island, said this marked the 15th year the senior living community has benefited from the Birdies program. To date, Friendship Manor has received a total of $4.5 million from the Birdies checks and the extra bonuses. He often tells donors that the bonus is “where the game-changer comes in even at a minimum of 5%. It’s the smartest way to give, in town.”
“If that isn’t life-saving, organization saving, and mission accomplishing then I don’t know what is,” he told the QCBJ.
Mara Downing, the vice president of John Deere Global Brand Management and Corporate Communications, was elated to see some many small charities getting involved. “Of course you think of the larger nonprofits, United Way and such, but there are so many smaller nonprofits registering and benefitting from Birdies,” she added. “It’s because of the unbelievable generosity of this community.”
She also is proud that the Quad Cities continues to lead the way having the highest amount raised per capita on the PGA Tour. While the Quad Cities is the smallest community on the tour, she said its total fundraising routinely ranks in the top three to five PGA tournaments.
Birdies guess spot on
As part of the Thursday morning festivities, Smart Lexus of Quad Cities awarded a two-year lease to the winner of the birdies contest. While two donors actually guessed the exact number of birdies – 2,315 – recorded at this year’s tournament and Wednesday Pro-Am, Ken Meyer won the use of the Lexus.
“I wasn’t expecting this, this is terrific,” the Moline man said after the car started when he pushed the ignition button. But the car was so quiet, he didn’t immediately realize he won.
“Our other car is a hybrid and I forgot it doesn’t make a noise,” Mr. Meyer said. He credited their good fortune to his wife who entered the Birdies contest by making a pledge to the Girls Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.
The Davenport-based Smart Lexus is the Official Transportation Sponsor of the John Deere Classic and provides courtesy cars each year to JDC golf pros.
Bonus Fund growth
But hitting another record fundraising year sets the bar high for next year’s JDC and Birdies, which guarantees a 5% bonus each year to its charities. The bonus can be up to 10%, but it hasn’t not seen that level recently, Ms. Booth told the QCBJ.
For the past decade, area charities have benefited from the Bonus Fund. “In our infancy, we were giving 10% year after year,” she said. “But COVID really knocked us down a few pedestals and now we’re making our growth on the way back up.”
She added “Our charities are doing so well in their fundraising for the program and what it does it tasks us and puts the pressure on us to keep building our Bonus Fund in every way that we can. So we can never have to risk not being able to deliver that bonus because it means so much to the charities.”
Since the tournament’s inception in 1971, it has raised nearly $190 million for charity with more than 99% of that coming since John Deere assumed the title sponsorship in 1998. The 2025 JDC will be July 2-6 at TPC Deere Run.
“The tremendous spirit that drives our tournament to new heights every year is based in the knowledge that everyone’s working for the charities that benefit our community,” Mr. Lehman told the supporters.
