2020 John Deere Classic Has Been Cancelled
Officials for the John Deere Classic announced on Thursday that this years tournament has been cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions.
On Thursday, officials of the John Deere Class said that because of the continuing COVID-19 restrictions around events and public gatherings in the surrounding area, the 2020 John Deere Classic has been canceled.
Officials say that the tournament will continue its commitment to the 2020 Birdies for Charity campaign. This includes a promise to deliver at least a 5% bonus to all participating organizations. In 2019, the tournament raised $13.8 million for 543 organizations.
Tournament director Clair Peterson said,
“Because of the ongoing health and safety concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic, the difficult decision was made to cancel the 2020 John Deere Classic. 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.”
The 2020 John Deere Classic was scheduled for July 6th through the 12th at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. It would have been the Quad Cities’ 50th PGA Tour event and the 21st played at Deere Run. Dylan Frittelli is the defending champion.
In the announcement, officials from the John Deere Classic say that the Birdies for Charity program already has put in place minor procedural changes because of the coronavirus pandemic. For example, instead of the Birdies staff physically passing out pledge forms, charities may access printable forms on their webiste, www.birdiesforcharity.com.
Finally, officials say that donors are encouraged to make any pledges electronically to reduce the number of people touching physical donations. Each penny pledge received will be converted to a flat $20 donation, and all donors will be eligible for a random drawing for the traditional prizes. Those prizes include the grand prize of a 2-year lease on a Lexus NX sports utility vehicle.
Since its founding of the John Deere Classic in 1971, the tournament has raised $120 million for charity. 99% of the $120 million has been raised since John Deere took the title sponsorship in 1998.
KEEP READING: See how sports around the world have been impacted by the coronavirus