‘Deere’ Steve

We know our tounament is not one of the most prestigious events on the tour schedule, but we’ve been around for quite sometime and we deserve a high caliber champion and not one of those ‘stars’ that play every week ala Vijay Singh or Kenny Perry. We know our place, we’ll never be better then the travel week before ‘The Open Championship’; but we are a humble group, as unassuming as our beginnings when we were known only as the Quad Cities Open. Even when the late Ed McMahon (RIP, guy) was the host and namesake of the event, we all still stick to our Midwestern values and morals that make our event comfortatble and unique.

Speaking of the Midwest and unassuming values, isn’t that you? If memory serves me correct, you are a Wisconsinite growing up in the heart of Big 10 Country. You are a Fighting Illini alum and carry the heart of Illinois with you everywhere you go. And c’mon, our venue is located in the State in which your received your higher education – and its located in the non-Chicagoland hustle, between the two small metros that make up half of the ‘Quad Cities’, the beautiful Moline and Rock Island.

Zach Johnson may tell you that we said the same thing to him about the towns of Davenport and Bettendorf, but that’s just Iowa and we don’t care about them nearly as much! Seriously we don’t! We ain’t Maytag. Anyway, we know you are not a major champion, even though you have had your chances; but we feel you are a perfect world top ten candidate for our event, compared to the others. And let us tell you why:

1. Tiger Woods – he would never play in our event, and we have accepted that.
2. Phil Mickelson – he’s got way to much on his plate, he’s not even play in the Open.
3. Paul Casey – he’s way to Euro…enough said.
4. Kenny Perry – he’s the kind of guy who makse a killing off of events like ours; we need a change.
5. Sergio Garcia – he’s even more Euro…enough said again!
6. Geoff Ogilvy – He ‘comes from a land down under; where women glow and men plunder.’
7. Henrik Stensen – are you serious with all these Euros???
8. Steve Stricker – he’s not brash, he doesn’t wear neon pants, he’s a midwest guy, he’s just right!
9. Jim Furyk – he was an interesting candidate, but we, like everyone else hate Steeler fans.
10. Vijay Singh – does this guy ever take a break? C’mon, take a vacation bro!

Anyway, please take us up on our invitation. Not to sound desperate, but we need some good publicity from a top rated player. And since you commited to play in the tourny, why would you not want to win it? We know its almost better to miss the cut and catch an earlier flight across the pond for the Open, but we’re not chopped liver, and there is quite a bit of money to be made. We know, we know, you’re already in the field at Augusta based on you win at Hogan’s Alley, but how about moving up a couple of slots in the Fedex Cup standings? Just think about it, we’ll make it worth you while.

Eternally grateful,



The John Deere Classic Tournament Committee