“That’s the beauty of the Rocket initiative it gives immediate access to high-speed connections. “For kids who are 10 years old, they can’t wait 10 years,” Duggan said. In contrast, he said what Gilbert and his RMC team did two years ago at the onset of the pandemic was “come in and say, ‘Here is a way to take action immediately.’” The real story of the Rocket Mortgage Classic is showcasing what’s possible when a bunch of passionate people work together to do good.”ĭuggan, who assumed office in 2014, said that a federally funded project is underway to usher every Detroit home into the digital age but that it will take another decade. “That is life-changing work that is a direct result of the tournament, the PGA players and our team at Rocket. “They can look for jobs, get telemedicine or do their homework,” Gilbert, who also owns the Cleveland Cavaliers, said in an email as the fourth annual RMC unfolded last week at Detroit Golf Club. With initial efforts by Mayor Mike Duggan already underway to bridge the chasm, the Rocket Mortgage Classic’s drive has propelled the initiative to significant early success: When the pandemic began, only 40% of Detroit households enjoyed full digital access. The pandemic spotlighted in stark relief how online access serves as an essential lifeline for Americans reliant more than ever on digital educational, employment and health care opportunities. That pivotal moment led to the creation of the Changing the Course initiative, with partners collaborating to take direct aim at a crippling pain point: Detroit’s vast digital divide. Led by Jay Farner, CEO of Detroit-based Rocket Mortgage, stakeholders ultimately decided to hold the tournament only if they could find a way to spur generational change in the economically distressed city. One year after Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert established the Rocket Mortgage Classic in his native Detroit, the PGA Tour event found itself at a crossroads: With the COVID-19 pandemic taking hold, should the tournament be staged in 2020? The golf tournament has dedicated more than $1 million to a digital access initiative each of the past two years.
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