EAST MOLINE, Illinois (January 13, 2006) – The John Deere Classic will maintain its current position on the revamped PGA TOUR schedule – the week before the British Open – for the year 2007 and beyond, tournament officials announced Friday.
In addition, the tournament will change TV networks next year, with weekend coverage moving to CBS from ABC, according to tournament director Clair Peterson. First and second round coverage on Thursday and Friday will move to The Golf Channel from USA Network.
The 2007 John Deere Classic will be played July 9-12 at the Tournament Players Club at Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., site of the event since the year 2000. It will be preceded on the schedule by The International in the Denver market instead of the Western Open, which is moving to September under a new playoff system.
"The John Deere Classic was pleased to learn that we will be maintaining our mid-summer date on the PGA Tour schedule," said tournament director Clair Peterson. "Hosting the PGA Tour in the Quad Cities during the summer enables us to maximize the amount of money the John Deere Classic can raise for local and regional charities while bringing the best players in the world to the area."
Starting next year the tournament – and network television coverage – will conclude at 5 p.m. instead of the current 3 p.m. finish, according to Peterson.
Tournament officials expect the John Deere Classic to maintain its position on the schedule through its current title sponsorship agreement with the PGA Tour, which runs through 2010, Peterson said.
The 2006 John Deere Classic is set for July 10-16 at the TPC at Deere Run, where defending champion and PGA Tour Rookie-of-the-Year Sean O’Hair plans to defend his title. ABC will provide weekend coverage while USA Network will handle the first and second rounds.
Contact:
Barry Cronin
Cronin Communications, Inc.
847-698-1801
bcronin@cronincommunications.com
