48 Context-Free Observations from Jessica Hadwin at the John Deere Classic

Not sure there is a more Midwest place to head off to to watch some golf and celebrate the birth of America than the John Deere Classic! The JDC is a family friendly event full of some of the nicest people on earth, and it’s a no brainer to book a flight to a place that feels like home. It was a short trip but we made it

Tuesday/Wednesday

-tragedy struck when our Monday flight was cancelled and we were in danger of missing the Big Dig

-the Big Dig is an incredible event put on by the tournament where you can get in and operate different John Deere equipment as well as watch them put on a show and fireworks

-the Big Dig is essentially a midwesterners Disney Land and we made it to the most magical place on earth just in time Tuesday evening to partake.

Image Courtesy of Jessica Hadwin

-the quad city area has some of the nicest people I’ve ever met.

-the John Deere does so much to make the the event easy and special for families

-brought my two teenage nieces along and tried to convince them that farm equipment and a half deserted mall is just as fun as touring Chicago

Image Courtesy of Jessica Hadwin

Thursday

-it is hot as heck

-Adam leaves by 9am for a 12:30 tee time and I go back to get the girls

-me and my 16 year old nieces are unexpectedly matching in white tennis dresses, and I feel flattered until strangers start referring to me as their mom

Image Courtesy of Jessica Hadwin

-we spend the front nine, ignoring the bogey train in order to get a full photo shoot around the course

-Adam is remaining eerily calm despite what I know must be an insanely frustrating afternoon

Adam Hadwin plays his shot from the second tee during the second round of the John Deere Classic 2025. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

-maybe he should bring back some of the anger fire

-after 9 holes we bail and go sit inside to prepare for our next photo shoot on the big equipment by 9 and also to watch Adam finish

-Maddox watches daddy putt on nine and seems so anxious to see the putt drop, it doesn’t, and I feel sad that she feels any emotion tied to golf

-despite my “I just hope everyone has fun” mantra, it’s clear Maddox is at an age she’s starting to invest in Adam’s job and play

-after the round Adam practices and calls it an early night while we go to an awesome little rooftop party put on by the tournament to watch fireworks

-I quickly realize I am the only person who brought 3 minors to the party, but we all have fun and the singer does a special little Bluey number for Maddox

Friday

-Adam’s alarm goes off at 4am for round 2

-I sleep in and check the app to see he’s off to a good start and 3 under through 5

-I figure he’ll need a round of 6 or 7 under to make the cut so it seems promising

-the teenagers decide to skip the hot girl walk today so my mom and I head to the course to catch the last couple holes

-after a great start Adam starts to struggle a bit and with each bogey it’s clear we will head home earlier than hoped for

-I’m already planning how we can get home and blow stuff up to help Adam blow off steam.

-Happy Birthday America!