Tournament ambassador Zach Johnson, three-time winner Steve Stricker and defending champion JT Poston have reason to cheer.
The PGA Tour, Deere & Company and the Quad Cities Golf Classic Charitable Foundation announced Monday that John Deere has signed a multi-year extension as title sponsor of the John Deere Classic.
The renewal announcement was made at the tournament’s annual media day at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Illinois. According to a tweet from the official tournament handle, the extension runs through 2026.
John Deere is one of the Tour’s longest running title sponsors dating back to 1998.
“The John Deere Classic is a signature example of one of the PGA Tour’s most engaged communities coming together to achieve great things,” Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said in a release. “As title sponsor, John Deere has gone above and beyond to help create an outstanding experience for our players and golf fans, while making a lasting impact with local nonprofits.”
Since the tournament’s inception in 1971, the John Deere Classic has helped raise $159.57 million for charity, 98 percent of which has been raised since John Deere assumed title sponsorship in 1998. Last year, the John Deere Classic delivered a tournament record $13.9 million to 481 organizations through its Birdies for Charity program.
“For our company, and for the hundreds of John Deere employees and retirees who volunteer their time to make this such a great event for the fans and the players, the John Deere Classic is much more than just another stop on the PGA Tour. It helps us connect with our global customers and make a positive contribution to the quality of life in our local community,” said John C. May, John Deere chairman and CEO.
The John Deere Classic moved to its current home at TPC Deere Run in 2000 and features winners that include Stricker (2009-11), Johnson (2012) and Jordan Spieth (2013, 2015). Last year, Poston earned the second Tour title of his career, leading wire-to-wire in a three-stroke win over Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Emiliano Grillo.
The agreement includes sponsorship of the John Deere Classic and a continuation of John Deere’s Official Marketing Partner program. As such, Deere retains its designation as Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier of the PGA Tour, Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier of the TPC Network, Official Utility Vehicle of the PGA Tour, Official Mower of the PGA Tour, Official Tractor of the PGA Tour and Official Golf Course Equipment Leasing Company.
The 2023 tournament will be held July 6-9 at TPC Deere Run.
Story originally appeared on GolfWeek