Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the John Deere Classic’s Birdies for Charity program officially kicked off its annual drive on Monday, April 3.
The kick-off, which was minus an in-person event this year, launches the 2023 Birdies for Charity campaign. Through Birdies for Charity, the annual Quad Cities PGA event aims to help raise much needed donations for some 480 Quad Cities area charities.
“We are excited to kick off our annual Birdies for Charity fundraising drive, knowing that helping to provide resources for the good work done by our local charities gives special meaning to our great tournament,” JDC Tournament Director Andrew Lehman said in a news release. “No one has a better or more civically minded title sponsor than John Deere, which is intricately involved in the success of our charity efforts.”
Micaela Booth, the director of Birdies for Charity, said the goal is to provide participating charities with a minimum 5% bonus on top of the monies they raise. In order to make good on that promise, the Birdies for Charity Bonus Fund is aiming to raise $1 million via tournament proceeds, fundraising events, direct donations and the Platinum Tee Club.
Platinum Tee Club donations will be matched up to $325,000 by JDC title sponsor John Deere. The funds benefit all participating charities, and include exclusive tournament experiences.
“Charities in our community, be they large or small, are dealing with economic stress they have not encountered in recent times,” Ms. Booth said in the release. “Inflation means their dollars simply don’t go as far as they used to. We are confident that the generosity of our community will help them get through this difficult time.”
This year’s JDC will run from July 5-9. J.T. Poston, who will be competing in his first Masters later this week because of his victory at the 2022 JDC, is expected to defend his JDC title this summer. In 2022, he shot 21-under par and led wire-to-wire.
Last year, the JDC raised a record $13.9 million and paid a 7% bonus to the charities.
Since its inception in 1971, the tournament has raised $159.57 million for charity (98% since Deere assumed title sponsorship in 1998). Of that, $138.56 million has come via the Birdies program, founded in 1993.
The Moline-based John Deere underwrites all administrative expenses for the Birdies program, making it possible for 100% of every donation – and a minimum 5% bonus – to go to each donor’s designated charity.
As an incentive to attract charity donations, Smart Lexus of Quad Cities once again has generously agreed to provide a two-year lease on a 2023 Lexus NX250 to one donor who correctly guesses the exact number of birdies recorded at this year’s tournament.
Smart Lexus of Quad Cities, located in Davenport, also will continue to provide courtesy cars to the JDC pros during tournament week.
“We are pleased to have Smart Lexus of Quad Cities return as our automotive partner again this year,” Mr. Lehman said. “The free two-year lease contest for the 2023 Lexus NX250 provides a tremendous incentive for people to donate. And we know the pros love driving a Lexus during tournament week.”
The JDC reminds fans of these Birdies for Charity details:
- Donation amounts no longer are tied to the number of birdies recorded
by tournament contestants. Instead, donors are asked to make a flat donation to the charity of their choice.
- Donors still can guess the total number of birdies the PGA Tour pros record in the Wednesday Pro-Am and the 72-hole tournament for a chance to win the Lexus lease. Other prizes include: a $1,000 shopping spree at Expressions Jewelers in Davenport along with tickets to the tournament.
- All pledge forms are available at here. There is no in-person pickup.
Golf fans also can begin making plans to attend the 2023 JDC as tickets are available beginning today, April 4. Find information on new ticket options here. Organizers said some ticket types are sure to sell out quickly, so if you are planning for an upgraded experience, reserve those tickets first.
All tickets will be digital – making your phone be your ticket. If you have questions or need assistance, call the JDC office at (309) 762-4653. A number of special discount offers also are available. Prices will increase on June 1.
