John Deere Classic Launches 2016 Birdies for Charity Program

The annual Birdies for Charity program kicked off April 11 at the John Deere Headquarters.
The annual Birdies for Charity program kicked off April 11 at the John Deere Headquarters.

John Deere announced on April 11 that it is kicking off its annual Birdies for Charity program to raise donations for 500 local charities around the Quad Cities.

As a part of its partnership with Lexus, John Deere will also work to provide a two-year lease on a 2016 Lexus NX to one individual who can guess the exact number of birdies at the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run.

“We are excited to start another cycle of the annual John Deere Classic charity miracle in which the smallest market on the PGA TOUR produces the highest per capita charitable donations on TOUR,” said John Deere Classic tournament director Clair Peterson. “We also are pleased to have Lexus of the Quad Cities as our automotive partner again this year. The offer of a two-year lease of a 2016 Lexus NX will provide a great incentive to motivate people to donate through the Birdies for Charity program.”

The John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run will be hosted on August 8 through August 14 in Silvis, Ill. Fundraising materials for the event have already been picked up by charities at the John Deere Headquarters. However, charities can also find fundraising materials at other locations in the local area.

In 2015, the John Deere Classic generated $8.7 million for charities. The Birdies for Charity program has been existent since 1971, and it has raised more than $71 million.