Deere canceled; fan restrictions cited; charity continues

Writing from Chicago

Thursday, May 28, 2020

The fairways of TPD Deere Run will be silent this July.

The John Deere Classic was canceled this afternoon, the result of an inability to hold a tournament with fans as planned given the restrictions imposed by Illinois’ rules for reopening businesses. It returns to TPC Deere Run in 2021.

A limitation on groups to no more than 50 in Phase 4 was the breaking point. All four Illinois zones, including the Illinois side of the Quad Cities area, move to Phase 3 on Friday. Groups of up to 10 will be allowed then, along with foursomes and one-to-a-customer (unless family) carts, plus practice range availability.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday the area of Illinois including the Quad Cities could move to Phase 4 on June 26.

For a golf tournament to be held, and with fans, the area would have to be in Phase 5, the “Illinois Restored” final phase, which includes safety measures in place.

The John Deere Classic’s week begins with local qualifying on Monday, July 6. Phase 5 isn’t possible that early, based on Illinois guidelines.

“While we considered several alternatives for the Classic, this was the choice that made the most sense for our guests, the players and the Quad City community at large,” tournament director Clair Peterson said in making the announcement, which he called a “difficult decision.”

The Deere’s Birdies for Charity program, which raised $13,819,154 for 543 charities last year, will continue in modified form. Each penny pledged will be converted to a $20 donation – the tournament averages around 2,000 birdies per year – and the bonus supplied by Deere & Company, which bears the cost of the operation, will also be paid.

“Thanks to John Deere’s ongoing support, we are able to promise a five percent bonus even though we are not having the tournament,” Peterson said.

July 9-12 were the dates for the 50th Deere, which started in 1971 as the Quad Cities Open. Deere became title sponsor in 1999. Now, the 50th Deere, with the attendant celebrations, including a commemorative book, will be played 50 years exactly after the inaugural took place at Crow Valley Golf Club on the Davenport-Bettendorf border. Dylan Frittelli will still be the defending champion.

“We understand and respect that the Quad Cities market has dynamics and challenges that prevent the playing of the John Deere Classic in 2020,” PGA Tour competitions chief Andy Pazder said. “I have no doubt the event will return stronger than ever in its 50th playing in 2021.”

The PGA Tour had planned the Deere as the first tournament back with spectators, after four without fans. The limitation on size of gatherings, whether fans or players – 156 would be in the field – plus a 

“Our top priority is the health and well-being of players, fans, volunteers and support staff of the John Deere Classic,” Mara Downing, Deere’s VP of global brand and communication, said in a release. “We know this announcement will come as a disappointment to the Quad City area and to the broader golf community.

“We look forward to celebrating the 50th playing of the tournament in 2021.”

The PGA Tour had planned the Deere as the first tournament back with spectators, after four without fans. Now it plans a tournament, either at TPC Sawgrass in Florida or elsewhere, on the week of the Deere. Immediately speculation arose that the Players Championship, the Tour’s bellwether tournament that was halted after one round as the pandemic spread in March, could be replayed.

The next large spectator tournament in the state that could be affected is the BMW Championship, set for Aug. 27-30 at Olympia Fields Country Club. That tournament – the Western Open under its original name – had already been pushed back a week.

– Tim Cronin