THE SHACK IS GETTING BIGGER at 1717 Chestnut Avenue in Glenview. Owner Nick Larkin (R) looks-on as workers prepare four new simulators in the newly acquired space that Shack will have running next month. But right now The Shacks Four simulators are up and running, so enjoy the bar-the food and watch the sports. TheShackGolfClub.com
THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Director of Content and Creation for Golfers on Golf. Follow Rory on Twitter @GogBlogGuy or connect-LinkedIn/Facebook/Instagram
Sepp Straka is the defending champion in the John Deere Classic.
THE JOHN DEERE CLASSIC.
The little tournament that could. Because every year the John Deere Classic is just that, it’s a classic.
Classic story lines, classic finishes, classic winners, classic galleries and more.
But after “The Classic” ended in July, there has been plenty of more news ever since.
So it started with the birdies. Birdies for Charity that is. Because in the Quad-Cities there is plenty of charity, especially from the classic.
2023 saw a record amount of charity raised ($14,102,833 million dollars) which broke the old record set in 2022 by $194,165 dollars. The tournament will pay a 7.5 % bonus to the 478 charities that participate in the program. Which makes the final dollars amount add up to and amount of $37.60 per resident. Based on the population of 375,000 Quad Cities area residents.
Tournament Director Andrew Lehman thanked everyone who donated to the BFC program. But since 1971 when the tournament was founded, $174 million dollars has been raised for local charities.
The Mistwood Golf Dome is located on Rt. 53 in Bolingbrook. Book a hitting bay today at (630)-739-7600, then enjoy McWethy’s Sports Bar . Lessons, Club Fittings and more see Mistwoodgolfdome.com.
JDC-OFFERS TWO EXEMPTIONS into the “Open Championship.”
The John Deere Classic will now offer two exemptions into the Open Championship, this July 18-21 at Royal Troon.
“We are thrilled to be able to offer our 156 contestants the opportunity to compete for two spots in the Open Championship,” said tournament director Andrew Lehman. ” So we expect that the chance to earn this exemption will enhance our field and bring another dimension to the competition.”
But the R&A that operates the Open Championship, says the exemptions will go to the top two highest finishers, not already exempt into the Open. So at one time the JDC had three exemptions to award, but that number dropped to none last year.
The John Deere Classic-has some of the most unique tee markers on the PGA Tour.
EIGHT IS NOT ENOUGH!
Because the John Deere Classic will not stop working hard to continue to earn awards for the type of tournament it conducts.
But last week the John Deere Classic won it’s eighth “Most Engaged Community” award, presented by the PGA Tour.
The factors considered to earn the award consist of volunteer support, spectator attendance, and how the community mixes into the flavor of the tournament. Tournament director Andrew Lehman said, “The John Deere Classic is excited and honored to win the this award for the eighth time.”
Tournament dates for 2024 are July 3-7 at TPC Deere Run. But for more information and details see JohnDeereClassic.com.