DeKALB, Ill. — As Huskie Athletic Fund head Chris Barker arrived at TPC Deere Run for the John Deere Classic Pro-Am on July 1, he didn't expect one of his first conversations of the day to be with two NIU alumni.

Chris ('88) and Lisa ('89) Leibovitz were volunteering at the Pro-Am for the Quad City Rotary Club, helping park vehicles in the amateur lot, when they spotted Barker clad in NIU gear.

“He was coming into the parking lot as an amateur, getting ready to play,” Leibovitz said. “We struck up a conversation, because, of course, he was wearing his Huskie gear, and it was a great opportunity to meet him and his wife Emily.”

The couple later caught the tail end of the day's event, watching Barker and his team play Holes 15 through 18. But that was only the start of a memorable weekend at TPC Deere Run for the East Moline residents. They returned to watch the second, third and final rounds of the John Deere Classic, where they watched Chris Gotterup erase a five-shot deficit to win the tournament.

While Gotterup's comeback was the headline of the event, Leibovitz said he enjoyed watching all the pros compete.

“I enjoy watching all of them, and I'm always amazed at how well they hit the ball with very little effort, because I struggle,” Leibovitz joked.

The Leibovitzes' weekend extended beyond the golf course. As part of the John Deere Classic experience, they were also treated to live country music after tournament play, with Carrie Underwood performing on July 4 and Old Dominion taking the stage on July 5.