Illinois’ Brad Underwood takes part in JDC Pro-Am

The John Deere Classic has a history of bringing in local celebrities for its pro-am, and this year was no different.

Typically, we see Brad Underwood on the sideline coaching the Illinois men’s basketball team to a ton of success on the hardwood.

At least for now, Underwood decided to trade in his jump shot for a putter, wedge, and driver.

The Fighting Illini head coach came out firing at this year’s John Deere Classic pro-am. Underwood tells Our Quad Cities Sports that he has loved the game of golf for a while.

He was not the only Underwood on the course. His son Tyler was his caddie throughout the round.

Illinois has had some good success at the John Deere Classic with former standouts Brian Campbell and Steve Stricker winning in the past.

“I’m excited, I’m looking forward to it. Ya know I spent a lot of years in Macomb at Western Illinois when this course was first being built and the event came here. Now we are in Champaign, and this is my first time,” Underwood said. “I hope my game is as good as the weather and the course but excited to be here. It’s great to be in the Quad Cities and it’s been a little bit since I’ve been up here. I grew up playing. I started playing when I was seven or eight years old, my dad got me started. I’ve been off and on throughout my adult life anyway playing in through college but it’s a big part of my enjoyment. I love to play. It’s been a little challenging the last couple years with a few surgeries and just had hand surgery. My son is my caddie so we’ll keep it all in the family and my future son-in-law, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, is on tour so my daughter is here with us, and my wife. So it’s a great way to spend the Fourth (of July) weekend and watching some great golfers. We’ve got some Illinois golfers playing in it this week, and that’s always great to see. The support of the Illini nation, supporting those golfers, is nothing but awesome.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.