Total Represents an Increase of More Than $800,000
EAST MOLINE, Illinois (October 30, 2006) – John Deere Classic officials today announced that this year’s tournament helped raise more than $3.9 million for charity, an increase of more than $800,000 over last year.
Tournament director Clair Peterson said some 500 participating charities may pick up their checks between 1 and 3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, at the Mark of the Quad Cities.
"Every year, the people and businesses of the Quad Cities and neighboring communities out-do themselves in terms of their generosity, compassion, and civic mindedness," Peterson said. "The John Deere Classic and our sponsor, John Deere, are honored to be associated with them."
The 2006 charity total of $3.9 million was up from 2005’s total of just under $3.1 million. Charitable contributions were generated by a combination of tournament revenues, direct donations, and the highly successful John Deere Classic Birdies for Charity program.
The $3.9 million total translates to a per-capita contribution of $10.40 for every man, woman and child living the Quad Cities based on a population of 375,000. That makes the John Deere Classic one of only a handful of PGA Tour events to exceed $3 million in money raised for charity and easily makes it the No. 1-ranked tournament for per-capita giving on the PGA Tour.
"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."
This year, the Birdies for Charity program saw 22,000 individuals and businesses pledge $3 million to individual charities of various sizes and missions, according to Kristy Ketcham, director of the Birdies for Charity. Under the Birdies program, donors typically pledge one cent for each birdie made during the tournament. This year, 1,974 birdies were recorded, meaning most donors wrote a check for $19.74 for the charity or charities to which they pledged.
In addition, the tournament itself will match 10 percent of each charity’s Birdies total under the Bonus Bucks program. This means that a charity that raised $5,000 through the Birdies program will receive a bonus check for $500 from the John Deere Classic.
Ketcham said the increase in donations came primarily from large individual and corporate donors hoping to take advantage of the10 percent matching Bonus Bucks program.
"Donors are starting to realize that giving to their favorite charity through Birdies for Charity is a win-win situation for everyone," Ketcham said. "With Bonus Bucks, the John Deere Classic will turn around and add another 10 percent to their total donation. It’s a smart way for donors to give their charities an extra bang for their buck."
PGA Tour veteran John Senden won the 2006 John Deere Classic on Sunday, July 16 at the Tournament Players Club at Deere Run in Silvis, Ill. It was the native Australian’s first PGA Tour victory.
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 $14 million for charity.
Contact:
Barry Cronin
Cronin Communications, Inc.
847-698-1801
Clair Peterson
Tournament Director
309-762-4653