TPC Deere Run: Does the track get overlooked by golf course enthusiasts?

The John Deere Classic is here for another year of some exciting PGA TOUR golf in the state of Illinois. But does TPC Deere get slept on too much?

The John Deere Classic quietly made a name for itself on the PGA TOUR after Steve Stricker won it three times in a row from 2009-11. It was also the site of Jordan Spieth’s very first win on the PGA TOUR, hence the reason why the event is so close to his heart.

Golf in Illinois is about as rich as you can get. In addition to TPC Deere Run, there are golf courses such as Medinah, Butler National, Shoreacres, and Cog Hill. Illinois has one of the deepest rosters in the country. It’s also the home to the BMW Championship (formerly the Western Open), one of golf’s oldest tournaments.

Heck, there’s even a town here in Illinois called Golf, which the Western Golf Association calls home. Despite all of the great golf that Illinois represents, TPC Deere Run sometimes gets lost in a sea of other famous golf courses.

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Not to mention, the John Deere Classic is right before The Open Championship, so everyone is gearing up for it. But, the D.A. Weibring design shouldn’t be overlooked as not being an Illinois gem.

It’s a testing track that features holes with bunkers favoring only the right side, while others feature traps surrounding the green. A couple of holes have water hazards as well, so you aren’t safe after escaping the mind bending bunker placements.

It also is a pretty course to look at, featuring forest views, as well as some countryside as you roll into the parking lot. Probably the most famous hole on the course, the 15th named Coaltown, features a beautiful view of a pond or little lake behind the green.

Furthermore, TPC Deere Run was named one of the top 10 courses to play in the fall. And there’s nothing prettier than golf in the autumn.

The tournament is always good fun to watch. When you see guys like Stricker, Spieth, Zach Johnson and others participating, it truly shows the importance of the event.

How can we forget 2015, when Tom Gillis was en fuego going into the final round? He would’ve been the oldest player to ever get his first PGA TOUR title, but lost to Spieth in what was an exciting tournament.

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The Deere is also the only annual PGA TOUR event held in a state filled with great golf. After Cog Hill was no longer the annual host for the Western Open/BMW Championship, TPC Deere Run became the lone warrior.

Now, golf fans around the state rely on the tournament to continue to represent Illinois golf of the highest quality on the PGA TOUR. It never ceases to disappoint either, as you are bound to witness a terrific performance at some point during the tournament.

If the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run is the true Open Championship warm up, then it’s a very solid one. It’s a lovely course that presents a unique set of design features and makes for an enjoyable place to watch golf.

The best part about TPC Deere Run is that it shares a special quality with that of the legendary Cog Hill. It’s a public track! So, grab your clubs, head over to Silvis, IL, and tee it up after the pros are done.

Have you had the chance to play TPC Deere Run? Have you attended the John Deere Classic? Which holes are your favorite? Let us know in the comments section or you tell me about it on Twitter @ChiGolfRadio.

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