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THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect on LinkedIn or Facebook.

THE BIG BALL at the John Deere Classic. (R) Clair Peterson at Media day in 2019.

THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC has announced that longtime Birdies for Charity Director Kristy Ketcham Jackson is retiring as of October 29th. Jackson will be succeeded by Micaela Booth, who has been serving as the Manager of Enterprise and Charity Support.

Additionally, the John Deere Classic (JDC) is announcing other staff changes in a reorganization. Clair Peterson is promoted to Executive Director of the JDC, with Assistant Tournament Director Andrew Lehman, becoming Tournament Director. But still reporting to Peterson.

“Kristy Ketcham Jackson has brought spirit, leadership and executive efficiency to the Birdies for Charity program, which has grown 12-fold under her guidance,” Peterson said. “The John Deere Classic and the Quad Cities community are blessed to have had Kristy heading the area’s largest charitable institution. So we wish her well in her retirement.”

Ketcham Jackson took over Birdies for Charity in 2003. But at that time the program raised less than 1 million per year. But now has raided at least 12 million per year, every year since 2018.

Other staff promotions include, Ashley Hansen to Assistant Tournament Director, Jennifer Kress to Director of Sales and Development, Marshall Lamb to Manager, Tournament Operations. Peterson called all of the recently promoted staff members,” excellent in their jobs and are high character individuals. But who will also be outstanding representatives of the championship and title sponsor John Deere.”

Because the 2022 John Deere Classic  moves up 1 week on the calendar. The new dates are from June 27th through July 3rd.