As PGA TOUR professionals warmed up for the John Deere Classic last week, superintendents from across the world joined them for an exclusive Pro-Am tournament hosted by John Deere Golf. Winning the annual event was a team led by PGA TOUR Pro Chris Smith and included superintendents Mike Null, Norwood Hills Country Club, St. Louis, Mo.; Tom Feller, Cedar Rapids Country Club, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Mike Nelson of Blue Top Ridge at Riverside, Riverside, Iowa; and Matt Armbrister, marketing manager, John Deere Golf. The team finished 18 under, with net score of 53.
“Playing in the John Deere Classic Pro-Am is a fun opportunity to spend time on the course from a different perspective and it’s also a great experience playing on a PGA TOUR course,” said Tom Feller, Cedar Rapids Country Club.
Four teams qualified for second place, coming in at net 57. The second place winner was determined by a scorecard playoff, based on a handicap hole four. The team included PGA TOUR Pro Ted Purdy, Brian Kimbrough of River Forest Country Club, Elmhurst, Ill.; Ryan Osborn of Wuskowhan Players Club, West Olive, Mich.; Randy DuPont of North Hills Country Club, Menomonee Falls, Wis. and Rob Wasser, regional sales manager, John Deere Golf.
The Pro-Am was held at the Tournament Players Club at Deere Run in Silvis, Ill., near John Deere’s World Headquarters in Moline. John Deere Golf also held a charity scramble on July 6 at the Davenport Country Club, Davenport, Iowa where John Deere Credit donated $2,500 towards Birdies for Charity.
About John Deere
John Deere (Deere & Company NYSE: DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services for agriculture, forestry, construction, lawn and turf care, landscaping and irrigation. John Deere also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment. Since it was founded in 1837, the company has extended its heritage of integrity, quality, commitment and innovation around the globe. John Deere Golf offers quality agronomic products, precise irrigation systems and innovative equipment for golf course construction, renovation, and ongoing mowing and maintenance.
# # #
Please forward all sales inquiries to John Deere Inquiry Department, P.O. Box 13603, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. Readers may also call 1-800-537-8233 or visit www.JohnDeere.com.
New leadership will focus on research, industry partnerships and expanding awareness of water-saving turfgrass The…
The GCSAA Conference and Trade Show returns to New Orleans Jan. 18-21, 2027, for the…
Albaugh, LLC has released its 2025 Sustainability Report, Cultivating Opportunities Together, highlighting the company’s progress…
Originally published in Southern Fairways Magazine, Summer 2026. Reprinted by Golf Course Trades with permission.…
Find trusted suppliers, products and services for every area of your golf course—all in one…
PGA National Resort, South Florida’s renowned golf destination and one of only a handful of…