Through the announcement, made before the start of the 2015 John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., John Deere also retains its designation as Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier to the PGA TOUR, Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier of the TPC Network, Official Landscape Product Supplier of the PGA TOUR, and Official Golf Course Equipment Leasing Company.
John Deere will continue as a title sponsor of professional golf through 2023 as a result of a seven-year extension announced by Deere & Company, the PGA TOUR and the John Deere Classic. The agreement includes sponsorship of the John Deere Classic and multiple designations for John Deere in the TOUR’s Official Marketing Partner program.
“This sponsorship has significant impact in many important areas for John Deere,” said James Field, President of Deere & Company’s Worldwide Agriculture and Turf Division. “The agreement helps our company sell equipment, build relationships with customers and dealers, and promote the John Deere brand worldwide.”
In addition, Field noted, hundreds of community organizations have benefited from millions of dollars in contributions made through the John Deere Classic, and the tournament has had substantial economic impact on the Quad City community where it is held.
The agreement was announced during a news conference at Deere & Company World Headquarters two days before tournament play was to begin at the 2015 John Deere Classic, which is being held July 6-12 at TPC Deere Run in Silvis, Ill.
PGA TOUR Deputy Commissioner Jay Monahan joined Field to announce the new deal that runs through 2023, taking effect when the current six-year agreement expires at the conclusion of 2016. Financial details were not disclosed.
“When we first entered a marketing agreement with John Deere, the PGA TOUR was confident this would be an exceptional association,” Monahan said. “The two organizations have similar corporate values and we are pleased with the direction this relationship has taken. We’re naturally delighted to announce a continuation of this valued collaboration through 2023.”
Since the tournament began in 1971, more than $62 million has been raised for community and charitable organizations, including more than $6.3 million for 471 organizations in 2014.
John Deere became title sponsor of the tournament in 1998. As a result of the agreement announced today, John Deere will celebrate 25 years as a PGA TOUR title sponsor in 2022.
“The Board of Directors for the John Deere Classic are thankful for the tremendous support provided by Deere & Company,” said tournament director Clair Peterson. “We want to provide not only great sports competition but also an event which the community can be proud of, be involved in, gain benefit from and support as a spectator or volunteer.”
Through the extension of the sponsorship, Deere retains its designation as Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier to the PGA TOUR, Official Golf Course Equipment Supplier of the TPC Network, Official Landscape Product Supplier of the PGA TOUR, and Official Golf Course Equipment Leasing Company. John Deere equipment is used at all TOUR-owned TPC facilities.
A recent study by Deere estimated the impact of the John Deere Classic is approximately $54 million annually to the Quad City area economy. This estimate includes money spent on travel, food, and lodging by visitors, the purchase of goods and services to support the tournament, and other purchasing that would not be needed if the tournament did not exist.
The sponsorship also exposes the John Deere brand to a worldwide audience. More than 125 million households in the U.S. and one billion households worldwide will have access to the tournament telecast.
The 2015 John Deere Classic also got a boost when Jordan Spieth, winner of the first two legs of a potential Grand Slam, announced that he would play in the tournament rather than spend a week abroad practicing for his attempt to achieve the third step in the British Open, which will be held at St Andrews July 12-19. Spieth has a strong history with the Deere Classic, having won it at age 19 in a sudden-death playoff in 2013, to become the youngest PGA TOUR winner in 82 years. This will be Spieth’s fourth straight year playing in the John Deere Classic (he made the cut as an 18-year-old amateur in 2012, and finished seventh when defending his 2013 title last year).
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