An Ode to Essential Events

Have you ever seen PGA Tour stars like Jordan Spieth or Sam Burns on a tractor? I have, at a golf tournament, no less! And to think we nearly lost that annual tradition. I’ve been largely supportive of new CEO Brian Rolapp and his plans to reshape the PGA Tour and its schedule, but a report last week had me ready to serve a vote of no confidence:

“Multiple sources told Golfweek that the Tour has asked John Deere to shift its tournament from its longtime home in the Quad Cities, which is its corporate headquarters and site of TPC Deere Run, to Chicago.”

The John Deere Classic moving from the Quad Cities to Chicago would have been an insult to both the Deere and Chicago. I say “would have” because the initial report was quickly refuted by both PGA Tour officials and John Deere Classic tournament director Andrew Lehman. What a relief.

The Western Open was a historic event in Chicago for decades. It meant something to win. Ask Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen, Byron Nelson, or Ben Hogan. Arnold Palmer. Jack Nicklaus. Tom Watson. Tiger Woods. You get the picture. You can’t replace an event like that in the aggregate.

More importantly, the John Deere Classic is best suited to stay both on the schedule and at its current location. Having spent a couple of July 4 weekends in Silvis, Illinois, covering the tournament, I’ve seen the strong support from the local community and its volunteers. They take pride in their event. It’s easy to poke fun at from afar, but players’ families love the fun, quirky events like the Big Dig throughout the week. The competition itself has become known for being an annual spotlight for the Tour’s rising talent. In 2024, Davis Thompson became the 24th player to earn his first PGA Tour win at the Deere, joining the likes of Jordan Spieth and Bryson DeChambeau. The Deere’s identity is baked into the Quad Cities, like a professional sports franchise. Imagine the Green Bay Packers moving to Milwaukee, or the Buffalo Bills moving to Brooklyn.

Nobody is saying the John Deere Classic should be an elevated/designated/signature/track one/whatever the hell they’re called now event. But anyone who has witnessed the Deere first hand or understands its importance is screaming for it to stay on the schedule in some capacity, and I’m proud to join that chorus.

It’s the understatement of the 2020s to say Rolapp and the Tour have some very important decisions to make regarding the future schedule. Change is necessary for growth, and we’ve already seen the Tour scratch its Hawaii events to start the season and the summer stop at the Rocket Classic in Detroit, but Rolapp and Co. inside the moat at HQ would be smart to remember the Tour’s humble roots. Small towns with dedicated fans got the Tour off the ground in the early years and have helped keep it afloat ever since.

Balancing the new world of professional golf with the traditions that define the Tour is a daunting task for Rolapp. So far, he’s done well. So far.