In the News

2009 JOHN DEERE CLASSIC RAISES $4.63M FOR CHARITY

500 Charities to Receive Checks This Week

MOLINE, Illinois (October 29, 2009) - John Deere Classic officials today announced this year's tournament helped raise $4.63 million for 500 local and regional charities. The announcement was made here at the iwireless Center.

Most of the checks will be mailed tomorrow (Oct. 30) to participating charities, but about 20 were to be hand-delivered today by members of the John Deere Classic Board of Directors.

This is the third consecutive year the charity total has exceeded $4 million and the third straight year charity donations have exceeded the tournament purse ($4.3 million in 2009).

"Every year, we recognize the generosity of the people and businesses of the Quad Cities, and this year is no exception," said Clair Peterson, tournament director of the John Deere Classic. "This year's charity total is all the more remarkable because it was achieved during difficult economic circumstances. On behalf of the John Deere Classic Birdies for Charity program, the tournament's board of directors, John Deere, and 500-plus charities, I just want to thank to everyone who donated."

The $4.63million total translates to a per-capita contribution of $12.27 for every person living the Quad Cities based on a population of 375,000. It makes the John Deere Classic one of only a handful of PGA Tour events to exceed $4 million in charity contributions and easily makes it the No. 1-ranked tournament for per-capita giving among regular PGA Tour events. Overall, the John Deere Classic ranks sixth on TOUR in total charity dollars.

Peterson noted that several local foundations and major donors stepped up this year and contributed directly to the tournament's bonus fund to help make up for a shortfall of sponsorships resulting from the effects of the ongoing economic recession. Those major donors are: The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, Bechtel Foundation, River Boat Authority, Jay& Collette Vonderhaar Family Foundation, Hunt & Diane Harris Charitable Foundation, Tom & Deann Thoms Family Foundation, Stuart & Mary Thoms Family Foundation, U.S. Bank, and THE National Bank.

"The donations are important because they enable participating charities to continue the vital work they do in their communities," Peterson said. "The major donors enabled us to provide more bonus money than we originally had planned for (six percent instead of five)."

In addition, a group of local Chevy dealers provided contestants with some 200 courtesy cars, resulting in significant cost savings for the tournament.

Peterson praised tournament sponsor John Deere for underwriting the administrative costs of the Birdies for Charity Program, which enables 100 percent of Birdies pledges to go to charity.

Under the Birdies program, donors typically pledge one cent for each birdie recorded during the tournament. In 2009, 1,914 birdies were recorded, meaning many donors wrote a check for $19.14 for the charity or charities to which they pledged. Many donors pledge to more than one charity. Others make lump sum pledges.

In addition to receiving 100 percent of the Birdies pledges collected on their behalf, charities each received a six percent bonus from the tournament this year.

The 2009 charity total of $4.63 million was down from $4.79 million a year earlier. Contributions were generated by a combination of tournament revenues, direct donations, and the Birdies for Charity program.

"The PGA TOUR would like to congratulate the John Deere Classic on this remarkable charitable achievement," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. "Everyone associated with the event, including Deere & Company and other corporate sponsors, tournament staff and volunteers, and the countless fans who supported the tournament should take a great deal of pride in raising this very significant sum for those in need throughout the Quad Cities. The John Deere Classic has truly taken a leadership position in supporting the TOUR's mission of giving back in communities in which we play."

PGA Tour veteran Steve Stricker won the 2009 John Deere Classic at Tournament Players Club Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. with a score of 20-under par 264 on rounds of 71-61-68-64. It was the sixth PGA Tour victory for the 42-year-old Wisconsin resident and Illinois alumnus, who later went on to star at the President's Cup.

The John Deere Classic, which includes Birdies for Charity, is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization located in the John Deere Classic tournament offices at 15623 Coaltown Road, East Moline, Illinois. Since 1993, the tournament has helped raise $28 million for charity.

ROCKFORD MAN WINS CHEVY MALIBU HYBRID VIA BIRDIES FOR CHARITY

Donates Car to His Favorite Charity

SILVIS, Illinois (August 18, 2009) - A Rockford man who guessed the exact number of birdies recorded at the 2009 John Deere Classic received another bit of good fortune Tuesday when he won a Chevy Malibu Hybrid over four others who guessed this year's correct birdies total.

The winner was Larry Johnson. The car was in front of the TPC Deere Run clubhouse, where all five finalists were given ignition keys, only one of which would start the car. Johnson's was that key.

Johnson immediately said he planned to donate the vehicle to the Rockford Rescue Mission - the charity to which he made his birdies pledge.

The five finalists were chosen at random from a total of 53 people who correctly guessed that the number of birdies made at this year's tournament would be 1,914, according to tournament officials. All 53 winners will receive a John Deere Classic ticket package for the 2010 tournament.

John Deere underwrites the administrative cost of the Birdies for Charity Program, making it possible for 100 percent of the donations collected to go to participating charities.

Steve Stricker won the 2009 John Deere Classic, finishing with a 72-hole score of 20-under par 264 on Sunday, July 12, at TPC Deere Run. It was Stricker's second victory in 2009 and the sixth of his career.

Chevy is the Official Car of the John Deere Classic. All tournament vehicles were provided by the following nine Select Chevy dealers located at selectchevy.com:

Deery Brothers, West Burlington, Ia.

Eriksen Chevrolet, Milan, Ill.

Green Chevrolet, East Moline, Ill.

Lujack Chevrolet, Davenport, Ia.

McEleney Autocenter, Clinton, Ia.

Mills Chevrolet, Moline, Ill.

Piehl Motors, Princeton, Ill.

Shottenkirk Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Pleasant, Ia.

Yemm Chevrolet, Galesburg, Ill.

MAJOR DONORS STEP UP FOR JOHN DEERE CLASSIC BIRDIES FOR CHARITY BONUS PROGRAM

EAST MOLINE, Illinois (June 23, 2009) - The John Deere Classic Birdies for Charity Program today recognized nine major donors who have pledged to help make up for a shortfall of charitable funds resulting from effects of the current economic recession.

The donations mean the Birdies program will be able to maintain its traditional bonus pay out to its 500 participating charities, which will receive a five percent bonus this year over and above their basic Birdies for Charity donations. That means that for every dollar a charity raises through Birdies, it will receive five cents extra from the Birdies bonus fund.

"The John Deere Classic and its 500 Birdies for Charity participants are very appreciative that major institutions in the Quad Cities have stepped up at this difficult time to help make up for the decrease in hospitality revenues that would have gone to fund the Birdies bonus fund," said John Deere Classic tournament director Clair Peterson. "The charities need these funds as urgently now as they ever have."

Normally, the bonus pool is funded by profits from corporate hospitality sales, according to Peterson. With corporate hospitality sales down this year, the tournament determined it needed alternative ways to fund the Birdies bonus program, he said.

The major donors are:

Community Foundation of the Great River Bend
Bechtel Foundation
River Boat Authority
Jay and Collette Vonderhaar Family Foundation
Hunt & Diane Harris Charitable Foundation
Tom & Deann Thoms Family Foundation
Stuart & Mary Thoms Family Foundation
U.S. Bank
THE National Bank

“Many charities that serve the Quad Cities are struggling because of the recession,” said Susan Skora, president and CEO of the Community Fund of the Great River Bend “Our grant will help the 500 nonprofits that benefit from Birdies for Charity. We encourage everyone to help their favorite charity by pledging through Birdies. It’s more important than ever this year.”

The major donors have agreed to donate directly to the John Deere Classic Birdies for Charity Fund. The tournament continues to seek donors, Peterson said.

Individuals, companies, or foundations that would like to learn more about donating to the Birdies for Charity Fund are encouraged to visit www.birdiesforcharity.com.

Under the Birdies for Charity program, individuals or corporations pledge a minimum of one cent per birdie made during the Wednesday pro-am and the four tournament rounds of the John Deere Classic, including playoffs, to the charity or charities of the donors’ choice. At the conclusion of the tournament, the total number of birdies is tabulated and the Birdies office sends invoices to donors. Donors remit their checks to the Birdies office, which then distributes 100 percent of the donations directly to the designated charities.

In 2008, the tournament’s eighth year at the TPC Deere Run, 1,921 birdies were recorded, meaning that a donor who pledged one cent per birdie to a charity would contribute $19.21 to that charity. Many contributors donate to more than one charity.

The John Deere Classic, which includes Birdies for Charity, is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization located in the John Deere Classic tournament offices at 15623 Coaltown Road, East Moline, Illinois. Since its founding in1971, the tournament has helped raise $29 million for charity.


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» About the Birdies Program » Birdies Program Rules » Birdies Program Hints » About the Partner Program » Charity Fund BONUS » Drive the Middle » Charity List » New Charity Sign up! Pledge Card Pickup: July 5-11, 2010	In the News 2009 JOHN DEERE CLASSIC RAISES $4.63M FOR CHARITY 500 Charities to Receive Checks This Week MOLINE, Illinois (October 29, 2009) - John Deere Classic officials today announced this year's tournament helped raise $4.63 million for 500 local and regional charities. The announcement was made here at the iwireless Center. Most of the checks will be mailed tomorrow (Oct. 30) to participating charities, but about 20 were to be hand-delivered today by members of the John Deere Classic Board of Directors. This is the third consecutive year the charity total has exceeded $4 million and the third straight year charity donations have exceeded the tournament purse ($4.3 million in 2009). "Every year, we recognize the generosity of the people and businesses of the Quad Cities, and this year is no exception," said Clair Peterson, tournament director of the John Deere Classic. "This year's charity total is all the more remarkable because it was achieved during difficult economic circumstances. On behalf of the John Deere Classic Birdies for Charity program, the tournament's board of directors, John Deere, and 500-plus charities, I just want to thank to everyone who donated." The $4.63million total translates to a per-capita contribution of $12.27 for every person living the Quad Cities based on a population of 375,000. It makes the John Deere Classic one of only a handful of PGA Tour events to exceed $4 million in charity contributions and easily makes it the No. 1-ranked tournament for per-capita giving among regular PGA Tour events. Overall, the John Deere Classic ranks sixth on TOUR in total charity dollars. Peterson noted that several local foundations and major donors stepped up this year and contributed directly to the tournament's bonus fund to help make up for a shortfall of sponsorships resulting from the effects of the ongoing economic recession. Those major donors are: The Community Foundation of the Great River Bend, Bechtel Foundation, River Boat Authority, Jay& Collette Vonderhaar Family Foundation, Hunt & Diane Harris Charitable Foundation, Tom & Deann Thoms Family Foundation, Stuart & Mary Thoms Family Foundation, U.S. Bank, and THE National Bank. "The donations are important because they enable participating charities to continue the vital work they do in their communities," Peterson said. "The major donors enabled us to provide more bonus money than we originally had planned for (six percent instead of five)." In addition, a group of local Chevy dealers provided contestants with some 200 courtesy cars, resulting in significant cost savings for the tournament. Peterson praised tournament sponsor John Deere for underwriting the administrative costs of the Birdies for Charity Program, which enables 100 percent of Birdies pledges to go to charity. Under the Birdies program, donors typically pledge one cent for each birdie recorded during the tournament. In 2009, 1,914 birdies were recorded, meaning many donors wrote a check for $19.14 for the charity or charities to which they pledged. Many donors pledge to more than one charity. Others make lump sum pledges. In addition to receiving 100 percent of the Birdies pledges collected on their behalf, charities each received a six percent bonus from the tournament this year. The 2009 charity total of $4.63 million was down from $4.79 million a year earlier. Contributions were generated by a combination of tournament revenues, direct donations, and the Birdies for Charity program. "The PGA TOUR would like to congratulate the John Deere Classic on this remarkable charitable achievement," said PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem. "Everyone associated with the event, including Deere & Company and other corporate sponsors, tournament staff and volunteers, and the countless fans who supported the tournament should take a great deal of pride in raising this very significant sum for those in need throughout the Quad Cities. The John Deere Classic has truly taken a leadership position in supporting the TOUR's mission of giving back in communities in which we play." PGA Tour veteran Steve Stricker won the 2009 John Deere Classic at Tournament Players Club Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. with a score of 20-under par 264 on rounds of 71-61-68-64. It was the sixth PGA Tour victory for the 42-year-old Wisconsin resident and Illinois alumnus, who later went on to star at the President's Cup. The John Deere Classic, which includes Birdies for Charity, is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization located in the John Deere Classic tournament offices at 15623 Coaltown Road, East Moline, Illinois. Since 1993, the tournament has helped raise $28 million for charity. ROCKFORD MAN WINS CHEVY MALIBU HYBRID VIA BIRDIES FOR CHARITY Donates Car to His Favorite Charity SILVIS, Illinois (August 18, 2009) - A Rockford man who guessed the exact number of birdies recorded at the 2009 John Deere Classic received another bit of good fortune Tuesday when he won a Chevy Malibu Hybrid over four others who guessed this year's correct birdies total. The winner was Larry Johnson. The car was in front of the TPC Deere Run clubhouse, where all five finalists were given ignition keys, only one of which would start the car. Johnson's was that key. Johnson immediately said he planned to donate the vehicle to the Rockford Rescue Mission - the charity to which he made his birdies pledge. The five finalists were chosen at random from a total of 53 people who correctly guessed that the number of birdies made at this year's tournament would be 1,914, according to tournament officials. All 53 winners will receive a John Deere Classic ticket package for the 2010 tournament. John Deere underwrites the administrative cost of the Birdies for Charity Program, making it possible for 100 percent of the donations collected to go to participating charities. Steve Stricker won the 2009 John Deere Classic, finishing with a 72-hole score of 20-under par 264 on Sunday, July 12, at TPC Deere Run. It was Stricker's second victory in 2009 and the sixth of his career. Chevy is the Official Car of the John Deere Classic. All tournament vehicles were provided by the following nine Select Chevy dealers located at selectchevy.com: Deery Brothers, West Burlington, Ia. Eriksen Chevrolet, Milan, Ill. Green Chevrolet, East Moline, Ill. Lujack Chevrolet, Davenport, Ia. McEleney Autocenter, Clinton, Ia. Mills Chevrolet, Moline, Ill. Piehl Motors, Princeton, Ill. Shottenkirk Mt. Pleasant, Mt. Pleasant, Ia. Yemm Chevrolet, Galesburg, Ill. MAJOR DONORS STEP UP FOR JOHN DEERE CLASSIC BIRDIES FOR CHARITY BONUS PROGRAM EAST MOLINE, Illinois (June 23, 2009) - The John Deere Classic Birdies for Charity Program today recognized nine major donors who have pledged to help make up for a shortfall of charitable funds resulting from effects of the current economic recession. The donations mean the Birdies program will be able to maintain its traditional bonus pay out to its 500 participating charities, which will receive a five percent bonus this year over and above their basic Birdies for Charity donations. That means that for every dollar a charity raises through Birdies, it will receive five cents extra from the Birdies bonus fund. "The John Deere Classic and its 500 Birdies for Charity participants are very appreciative that major institutions in the Quad Cities have stepped up at this difficult time to help make up for the decrease in hospitality revenues that would have gone to fund the Birdies bonus fund," said John Deere Classic tournament director Clair Peterson. "The charities need these funds as urgently now as they ever have." Normally, the bonus pool is funded by profits from corporate hospitality sales, according to Peterson. With corporate hospitality sales down this year, the tournament determined it needed alternative ways to fund the Birdies bonus program, he said. The major donors are: Community Foundation of the Great River Bend Bechtel Foundation River Boat Authority Jay and Collette Vonderhaar Family Foundation Hunt & Diane Harris Charitable Foundation Tom & Deann Thoms Family Foundation Stuart & Mary Thoms Family Foundation U.S. Bank THE National Bank “Many charities that serve the Quad Cities are struggling because of the recession,” said Susan Skora, president and CEO of the Community Fund of the Great River Bend “Our grant will help the 500 nonprofits that benefit from Birdies for Charity. We encourage everyone to help their favorite charity by pledging through Birdies. It’s more important than ever this year.” The major donors have agreed to donate directly to the John Deere Classic Birdies for Charity Fund. The tournament continues to seek donors, Peterson said. Individuals, companies, or foundations that would like to learn more about donating to the Birdies for Charity Fund are encouraged to visit www.birdiesforcharity.com. Under the Birdies for Charity program, individuals or corporations pledge a minimum of one cent per birdie made during the Wednesday pro-am and the four tournament rounds of the John Deere Classic, including playoffs, to the charity or charities of the donors’ choice. At the conclusion of the tournament, the total number of birdies is tabulated and the Birdies office sends invoices to donors. Donors remit their checks to the Birdies office, which then distributes 100 percent of the donations directly to the designated charities. In 2008, the tournament’s eighth year at the TPC Deere Run, 1,921 birdies were recorded, meaning that a donor who pledged one cent per birdie to a charity would contribute $19.21 to that charity. Many contributors donate to more than one charity. The John Deere Classic, which includes Birdies for Charity, is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization located in the John Deere Classic tournament offices at 15623 Coaltown Road, East Moline, Illinois. Since its founding in1971, the tournament has helped raise $29 million for charity.
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July 5-11, 2010

In the News