- Detroit’s only PGA TOUR event will return to Detroit Golf Club for a third year June 28-July 4, 2021 with Bryson DeChambeau as its defending champion.
- Event will continue to support Changing the Course initiative to end the digital divide in Detroit.
DETROIT (September 2, 2020) – Following a wildly successful debut in 2019 and a spectacular sophomore showing earlier this year, the third-annual Rocket Mortgage Classic will be held June 28 – July 4, 2021, as it returns to the historic Detroit Golf Club.
The event will focus on raising funds to support the “Changing the Course” initiative which was launched in 2020 in light of the profound impact of COVID-19 on Detroit and the clear need for greater and more equitable digital connectivity in America’s least connected major city. The vision of this multi-year campaign is to ensure every Detroit resident has access to the internet, technology and digital literacy training they deserve within a 10-minute walk of their home.
“We are creating the PGA TOUR’s must-see event in 2021 by leveraging the incredible momentum generated from the first two years of the Rocket Mortgage Classic,” said Jason Langwell, Executive Director of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. “Bringing 156 of the world’s best golfers to Detroit over the Fourth of July weekend has proven to be a great way to celebrate the holiday, especially considering we are continuing to make a positive impact on one of our country’s great cities through our efforts with Changing the Course.”
During the 2020 Rocket Mortgage Classic, $1.4 million was raised to support Changing the Course through a special charity exhibition match hosted by two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson, as well as the AREA 313 Challenge, where donations from title sponsor Rocket Mortgage were triggered by players who made an eagle, ace or birdie (3-1-3) on holes 14, 15 and 16. The event’s total contribution to non-profit partners, including the net proceeds from the 2020 tournament, will be announced in the coming weeks and is expected to far surpass the amount generated in 2019.
“While the Rocket Mortgage Classic is a great event – bringing together our team members, the community and TOUR golfers for an exciting weekend at Detroit Golf Club – we remain laser focused on using the tournament to make a lasting impact that benefits the residents of our hometown through Changing the Course,” said Jay Farner, CEO of Rocket Mortgage. “Providing every Detroiter access to the internet is no small feat, with nearly one in three families currently lacking connectivity, which is why we continue to leverage this unique platform as a vehicle for good.”
After Nate Lashley cruised to a six-stroke victory and his first career PGA TOUR win at the 2019 Rocket Mortgage Classic, Bryson DeChambeau muscled his way to 23-under-par to win the 2020 tournament. Ranked 10th in the world entering the event, DeChambeau earned his sixth career TOUR win at the age of 26, leading the field with an average driving distance of 350.6 yards.
The 2020 Rocket Mortgage Classic was one of the PGA TOUR’s “Return to Golf” events that was played without fans following a nearly three-month hiatus due to the ongoing pandemic.
As a 501(c)(3) organization, the Rocket Mortgage Classic directs its net proceeds to Detroit-based non-profit community partners through the Rocket Giving Fund, which will provide financial contributions to organizations seeking to ensure 5G internet technology becomes available for all of the city’s residents. The Rocket Giving Fund is also aiming to provide access to technology and digital literacy programming for Detroit residents.
The Rocket Mortgage Classic was the most awarded event on the PGA TOUR’s 2018-19 schedule, being recognized for “Best Special Event” (the AREA 313 Celebrity Challenge) and “Best Tournament Sales” as well as being honored with the first “Fair Way Award” for its diversity and inclusion initiatives.
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About the Rocket Mortgage Classic
The Rocket Mortgage Classic made history in 2019 as the first PGA TOUR event ever held in the city of Detroit, and has continued to make a positive and lasting impact on the city and its residents through its multi-year Changing the Course campaign, established in 2020 to end the digital divide in Detroit and ensure digital accessibility for all city residents. The Rocket Mortgage Classic was the most awarded event during the 2018-19 PGA TOUR season, being recognized for “Best Special Event” (the AREA 313 Celebrity Challenge) and “Best Tournament Sales” as well as being honored with the first “Fair Way Award” for its diversity and inclusion initiatives. More information is available at RocketMortgageClassic.com and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram (@RocketClassic).
About Quicken Loans / Rocket Mortgage
Detroit-based Quicken Loans, the nation’s largest home mortgage lender, enables financial freedom and the American Dream of homeownership through its obsession with an industry-leading, digital-driven client experience. The company closed $145 billion dollars of mortgage volume across all 50 states in 2019. In late 2015, Quicken Loans introduced Rocket Mortgage, the first fully digital mortgage experience. Currently, 98% of all home loans originated by Quicken Loans utilize Rocket Mortgage Technology.
Quicken Loans moved its headquarters to downtown Detroit in 2010. Today, Quicken Loans and the Rock Family of Companies employ more than 19,000 full-time team members in Detroit’s urban core. The company generates loan production from web centers located in Detroit, Cleveland and Phoenix, as well as operates a centralized loan processing facility in Detroit. Quicken Loans ranked highest in the country for customer satisfaction for primary mortgage origination by J.D. Power for the past 10 consecutive years, 2010 – 2019, and also ranked highest in the country for customer satisfaction among all mortgage servicers the past seven consecutive years, 2014 – 2020.
Quicken Loans was once again named to FORTUNE magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list in 2020 and has been included in the magazine’s top 1/3rd of companies named to the list for the past 17 consecutive years. In addition, Essence Magazine named Quicken Loans “#1 Place to Work in the Country for African Americans.”
For more information and company news visit QuickenLoans.com/press-room.
