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2023 John Deere Classic Wins PGA TOUR’s “Most Engaged Community” Award

By ashleyh | 11 December, 2023

SILVIS, Illinois (December 8, 2023) – The John Deere Classic was honored with the PGA Tour’s “Most Engaged Community” award (Dec. 7), marking the eighth time the tournament has earned the distinction.

The award was given at the Tour’s annual meeting of tournament representatives and Tour staff in Palm Springs.

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.

In addition to having strong attendance this year, the John Deere Classic 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. The tournament helped raise a record $14.1 million for charity and provided each charity with a 7.5 percent 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 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 John Deere Classic was also a finalist for Best Title Sponsor Integration and Tournament of the Year. Susan Archer, a co-chair of the Carts Committee, was named a finalist for the 2023 Volunteer of the Year award. Susan will receive a $2,000 donation to a charity of her choice in honor of the recognition.

The 53rd edition of the Quad Cities-based PGA Tour event will be conducted July 3-7, 2024 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis with Sepp Straka as defending champion.

The John Deere Classic, which includes Birdies for Charity, is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization located in the tournament offices at 15623 Coaltown Road, East Moline, Illinois.  Founded in 1971, the tournament has raised $173 million for charity.