SILVIS, Ill — The 2023 John Deere Classic won the "Most Engaged Community" Award at the PGA Tour's annual meeting of tournament representatives and staff on Dec. 7.
The award is based on spectator attendance, volunteer support and community involvement in the whole tournament. This is the eighth time the John Deere Classic has won this award.
The John Deere Classic's introductory "Concerts on the Course" event featuring Darius Rucker and Blake Shelton was also recognized alongside the tournament's strong attendance. 2,400 people volunteered at TPC Deere Run in Silvis with 478 charities participating in JDC's Birdies for Charity program. A record 14.1 million was raised for charity during this year's tournament and since 1971, the JDC has raised over $170 million for charity.
“The John Deere Classic is excited and honored to receive the 2023 'Most Engaged Community' award for the eighth time,” Tournament Director Andrew Lehman said. “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.”
Sepp Straka is the John Deere Classic's defending champion, with 2024's tournament scheduled for July 3 through July 7 at TPC Deere Run. WQAD News 8 is proud to once again be the media sponsor for the event.
Catch all the action from the 2023 John Deere Classic on News 8's YouTube channel