With spring in the air, the John Deere Classic is just on the horizon. In 2012, the PGA Tour-sanctioned event included 156 Tour players and a $4.6 million purse. However, the tournament has evolved considerably since its inception in 1971.

The following is a history of the John Deere Golf Classic Tournament.

Tournament Beginnings

The John Deere Golf Classic began as the Quad Cities Open (QCO), an event sanctioned by the Chicago District Golf Association at the Crow Valley Country Club in Davenport, Iowa. Local tournament godfather Whitey Barnard and Bob Fry, former Davenport, Iowa municipal head professional, put the wheels in motion for what would become the 1971 Quad Cities Open.

The John Deere Model R tractor was the breakout star of its time. It was bigger, better, and stronger than anything that had come before and it offered features exclusive to the Deere line. As the first John Deere diesel-powered tractor, the Model R changed the face of John Deere agricultural machinery forever.

Credit

For more than 10 years, the engineers at Deere researched and developed the John Deere Model R until it was released in 1949 at a selling price of $3,700. Throughout the duration of its five-year production, the Model R was known for its power and performance on large farms, with an ability to haul up to 6,644 pounds in low gear and reach a road speed of 11.5 mph in fifth.

The John Deere Model A Tractor was the first true row-crop tractor and is one of the most beloved tractors in John Deere’s 175 year history. The first Model A was manufactured in April of 1934 and came equipped with an impressive 25 horsepower engine and a 4-speed transmission.

The John Deere Model A Tractor was the first tractor that had adjustable wheel treads, which gave it a wider range of utility and adaptability than other models on the market at that time. Having the ability to change the space between rear wheels gave the operator more control, ultimately making it easier to steer the tractor.

For more than 175 years, the John Deere Company has been researching and developing innovative farm equipment that strives to improve agricultural productivity. These 10 antique John Deere tractors highlight the original model designs that paved the way for the modern equipment we rely on today.

Waterloo Boy

Waterloo Boy: The first Waterloo Boy tractor was first released in 1914 in  a variety of models and engine sizes. In 1918, the John Deere Company purchased the Waterloo Gasoline Engine Company and continued to sell tractors under the Waterloo Boy name until 1923.

Dain All Wheel Drive

In the spring of 1862, Abraham Lincoln signed into law an act of Congress that established the early beginnings of the history of the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). This 150-year-old section of government laid the foundation for how our modern agriculture industry would advance in the realm of land cultivation, conservation, and economic development.

Lincoln was born on a poor farm in Kentucky in the midst of pioneer farming on the western frontier of America. His work as a farm hand gave him the understanding and experience for what it meant to cultivate land and produce successful harvests. Once he left his farming life to pursue politics, Lincoln expressed his passion for developing better education and government recognition of agriculture and engineering.

This rare 1971 John Deere 4000 diesel, Power Shift tractor with 5,562 hours sold for $35,000 on a December 18, 2012 farm retirement auction in Indepedence, IA.

It wasn’t the prettiest. It was missing a few parts. But it’s rare and it was a Deere, so it sold for big $$.

I’m talking about a 1971 John Deere 4000 tractor with 5,562 hours sold on a farm retirement auction December 18, 2012 in the northeast Iowa town of Independece. Deere made the 4000 model tractor from 1969 – 1972, but what made this particular 4000 rare was its configuration…a diesel, power shift.

2000 JD 8410 tractor with 584 hours sold for record price of $136,000 on northwest Illinois farm auction. The owner reportedly made everyone and anyone remove their boots & shoes before entering the tractor cab

It was understood. Before entering the cab, you had to take off your boots & shoes.

An extreme example of meticulous care of your used farm equipment, some/most may say obsessive, but it worked. Just look at how the 2000 John Deere 8410 tractor shines. What a beauty. You could eat your Thanksgiving turkey dinner off the hood its so clean.

John Deere Inventions

John Deere inventions have been serving the agricultural, forestry, and construction community for decades and the dedication to quality spans 175 years. John Deere was, and still is an inspiring pioneer in regards to the innovative design and production of tractor equipment, which can be seen through Deere’s introduction of new equipment, financial success, global expansion, and a guarantee of reliable machinery. The following images give a visual representation of the milestones the John Deere company has achieved in nearly two centuries of business.

1837 First Self-Scouring Plow: Deere designs a plow that can cut through the sticky Midwestern soil.

Over the years, “John Deere” has become a household name for most Americans. Whether it’s written across a hat or on a lawn mower, tractor, or children’s toy, we all recognize that familiar green and yellow. The history of John Deere has had a big impact on the world’s approach to plowing, harvesting, mowing, lumbering, and simple gardening. Though some of us may boast an expert recognition and knowledge of the John Deere products and brand, what do we really know about the man who started it all?

At the recent Emanuel County, Georgia, Bicentennial, the Emanuel County Historic Preservation hosted discussions from regional farmers who have seen a change in the agriculture land in Georgia through the decades, the Swainsboro News reports.

According to the media outlet, Doug Bennett, a nephew of the region’s famed “Bennett Boys,” spoke at the event, giving a first-hand account of what it was like to grow up on a farm. He stated that when Frank Bennett and Peggy Johnson married and started the farm, they did not know how far the business would take them. As the years went on, everyone in the Bennett family would have first hand experience with the agriculture land in Georgia.