The total is 13.9 million dollars, and since it started in 1971, the charitable arm of the John Deere Classic has helped raise almost 160 million dollars.
Birdies for Charity supports 481 charities, and each year The Classic promises to match a percentage of the money that's raised, this year it's seven percent.
Micaela Booth is the Director of Birdies for Charity.
“Thank you to all 481 charities that participated this year, and the generous Quad Cities community and their supporters and donors who helped this number become possible.”
Booth says Birdies will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2023.
The John Deere Classic's Executive Director Clair Peterson says he will officially retire in December.
“This, as I say, is the most important day of the year for us, and to have this kind of result certainly is gratifying. It doesn't come down to one person. But as a lasting memory, it’s something I will cherish for sure.”
Peterson has been an employee of John Deere for the past 45 years, and he's been the Executive Director of the tournament since 2003. Tournament Director Andrew Lehman will replace Peterson in the New Year.
