Can a TPC-brand course on the PGA Tour schedule be a "hidden gem"?
Perhaps in the case of TPC Deere Run, the Quad Cities area venue that's been a staple of the PGA Tour since it opened in 2000. It's spot on the schedule right before the Open Championship means many of the game's best usually take a pass, but some stars, Zach Johnson, Steve Stricker and most recently Jordan Spieth, compete yearly.
It's not sexiest TPC course, perhaps because it's never as rowdy as TPC Scottsdale and the field is never as deep as at TPC Sawgrass.
But from a value and layout perspective, this course is tough to beat, according to our own Matt Ginella, who visited the course and played a round with the tournament director of the John Deere Classic, Clair Peterson.
Ginella's Journeys: Plowing through TPC Deere Run
TPC Deere Run has seven reviews on Golf Advisor and the marks are very strong.
"You certainly get what you pay for at TPC Deere Run" wrote Tonyjm74 in his 2014 review of the course. "Fast greens, well-manicured fairways, great practice facilities, and excellent overall accommodations. There are some pretty amazing views of this golf course and I am pretty sure TPC Deere Run will be an annual trip!"
"TPC Deere Run is a Top-3 public course in the state and becoming a destination course in the Midwest," wrote btweed1683. "Absolutely worthy of a PGA tour event, but a third of the cost of most championship courses."
A Quad Cities buddies trip
TPC Deere Run, at $75-125 peak season, can be the focal point of a buddies trip that also includes the following courses, according to Ginella:
Fyre Lake Golf Club, Sherrard, Ill.
Palmer Hills Golf Course, Bettendorf, Iowa
Byron Hills Golf Club, Port Byron, Ill.
Glynns Creek Golf Course, Long Grove, Iowa
Also, our own Kiel Christianson files his own ten reasons you should plan a buddies trip to the Quad Cities.
