Transportation costs drive JDC bottom line

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By Craig DeVrieze | Monday, July 14, 2008 5:34 PM CDT | () comments

From the cost of the 767 charter jet to the British Open, to increased costs associated with a late change in shuttle bus providers, to the cost of a gallon of gas, transportation issues will drive the 2008 John Deere Classic bottom line.

Volunteer chairman Decker Ploehn said a Sunday turnout nearly on par with the tourney’s biggest at TPC Deere Run might have made up for weather-related attendance and concession shortfalls early in the week, meaning tourney income could match the solid numbers of a year ago.

It’s on the expense side that matters get tricky.

Ploehn said the government-regulation-enforced change from MetroLink to a private shuttle bus provider resulted in almost $30,000 of unbudgeted expense and said $4-plus-per-gallon fuel expenses for the tourney’s own shuttle fleet also likely will take a bite from the event’s profit margin.

Meanwhile, the expected $325,000 cost of leasing the charter that jetted 22 JDC players directly to the British Open paid obvious dividends in the quality of the field at last week’s $4.2 million tourney. But that too is an expense the tourney budget largely must bear.

Ploehn said the tournament’s executive board remains committed to matching 10 percent of a 2008 Birdies for Charity pot that will raise more than $3.8 million for participating charities.

But, he said, “We also have a goal putting more money each year into our tournament reserve fund. That may be on hold this year.’’

Size of profit notwithstanding, Ploehn and others were quick to call the ’08 event won in a sudden death playoff on a sun-kissed Sunday by the world’s hottest golfer a rousing success.

Kenny Perry, the highest profile player in the JDC field, outlasted Jay Williamson and Brad Adamonis to collect the $756,000 winner’s share of a $4.2 million purse.

“Overall, a really good week,’’ Ploehn said. “In my mind, you could say it was great. You take the jet and you take the finish — wow!”

The real finish to the tournament occurred when the 767 filled with the 22 British Open-bound players and some 65 guests took to the air from Quad-Cities International Airport at 8 p.m. Sunday.

Tournament director Clair Peterson was aboard and didn’t plan to be serving peanuts and drinks to players who paid $1,000 per requested seat for the chance to fly directly to Manchester, England, with no stops along the way and no fears of lost golf clubs and luggage on arrival.

“Crashed in the back row getting deep REM sleep,’’ a tournament-week-wearied Peterson said of his plans for a flight that touched ground at 8:30 a.m. London time Monday.

Virtually everyone involved in the event — from directors, to players, to title sponsor representatives — called the plane plan a rousing success after it significantly boosted the number of Open Championship participants in the JDC field from eight in 2007.

Based on comments he heard from players last week and on the word-of-mouth he thinks will spread across the Tour in this and coming weeks, Peterson expects the number to grow next year.

“We would love to have 30 players there next year, and maybe we will,’’ he said late Sunday.

Sam Allen, who represents title sponsor Deere & Co., on the tourney board, also applauded the charter.

“We are hoping this is a platform for future growth,’’ he said.

As for the future, Deere is under contract as title sponsor through 2010 and has a deal to be the PGA Tour’s official golf equipment supplier through 2014.

Allen said Deere officials will begin internal discussions sometime within the next year about extending the title sponsor role Deere has enjoyed since 1999.

“As a company, we will evaluate things in the next year and then starting talking to the (PGA) Tour at the appropriate time,’’ he said.

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.