Jake Owen, John Deere Classic 2016 Charity Concert headliner, wins Golf Digest’s Arnie Award
In 2016, the John Deere Classic had it's first-ever Charity Concert on the Wednesday night of tournament week (August 10th). Country music star and avid golfer, Jake Owen headlined the event and had also participated in the Wednesday Pro-Am. All proceeds of that event and his appearance at the John Deere Classic Pro-Am went into the Birdies for Charity Fund and helped provide $10.5 million to local and regional charities, as well as helping to provide a 10% bonus check to each of the 491 charities that participated in the program in 2016. Owen, who hosts a charity golf event of his own each year, has been recognized by Golf Digest as a Golfer Who Gives Back for 2016 and has awarded Owen the Arnie Award, Golf's Digest highest honor. He recieves this award along with retired NFL star quarterback Peyton Manning and the PGA TOUR's own Phil Mickelson.
Congratulations Jake!
**Golf Digest mistakenly forgot to include that the John Deere Classic also reached the $10-million mark in charitiable contributions in 2016.