American Family Insurance Championship earns Outstanding Achievement Award on PGA TOUR Champions

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The American Family Insurance Championship, which debuted this past season at University Ridge Golf Course in Madison, Wis., was awarded with PGA TOUR Champions “Outstanding Achievement Award” at the PGA TOUR’s Tournament Meetings on Wednesday, December 7 in Las Vegas.

“On behalf of PGA TOUR Champions, it’s my honor to present the 2016 Outstanding Achievement Award to the American Family Insurance Championship,” said PGA TOUR Champions President Greg McLaughlin. "Title sponsor American Family Insurance and tournament host Steve Stricker combined to deliver a memorable week for our fans and players, and I’m confident the foundation is now set for this to be a premier event on our Tour for years to come.”

The Outstanding Achievement Award is presented to a tournament which exceeds expectations in the core arenas of tournament golf, involving players, spectators and sponsors while displaying meaningful community impact.

In 2016, the tournament succeeded on a number of fronts:

• Integrated PGA TOUR star Steve Stricker as official tournament host.

• Generated one of the largest charitable donations ever for a first-year PGA TOUR Champions tournament (specific amount to be announced by American Family Insurance on Dec. 12).

• Posted attendance totals in excess of 56,000 spectators for the week.

• Incorporated former Green Bay Packers stars Brett Favre and Mark Tauscher for Saturday shootout.

• Utilized brand ambassadors Derek Jeter and Kathy Ireland to integrate American Family Insurance via ancillary tournament events.

“Our tournament staff, volunteers and vendors took significant pride in their work to ensure a memorable inaugural tournament experience for the players, sponsors and fans,” said Nate Pokrass, tournament director. “We are honored, and humbled, to receive this award from the PGA TOUR Champions as it truly was a team effort.”

In 2016, Kirk Triplett claimed his fifth PGA TOUR Champions title at the American Family Insurance Championship with a two-shot victory over Bart Bryant and Mike Goodes. The 54-year-old birdied five of his last eight holes for the win, which was one of six top-10 finishes on the year.

The 2017 American Family Insurance Championship will be played at University Ridge Golf Course the week of June 19-25. Stricker, who becomes eligible for the PGA TOUR Champions next year, will serve as player-host.

Pictured in photo above, left to right: Katie Elliott, tournament coordinator; Nate Pokrass, tournament director; Lindsay Koth, tournament coordinator; Kip McBride, vice president of operations, HNS Sports Group.

About the American Family Insurance Championship
The PGA TOUR Champions, American Family Insurance and 12-time PGA TOUR winner and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker announced this new Wisconsin golf event in June 2015. The inaugural American Family Insurance Championship featured an 81-player field competing for a $2 million purse. The no-cut event at University Ridge golf course included two Pro-Am events followed by three days of tournament play. The 2017 event will be held again at University Ridge, June 19-25. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation for distribution to the American Family Children’s Hospital and other charities. For more information: Web: www.amfamchampionship.com; Twitter: @AmFamChamp; Facebook: American Family Insurance Championship
#AmFamChamp

About PGA TOUR Champions
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of golfers age 50 and older, with the most recognizable and accomplished players in the game - including 34 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame, which compete regularly in its events. PGA TOUR Champions is where Legends play, and is home to The Ultimate Clubhouse. Conceived in 1980 as the Senior PGA Tour, it started with just four events and purses totaling $475,000. The primary purpose of PGA TOUR Champions is to provide financial opportunities for its players, entertain and inspire its fans, deliver substantial value to its partners, create outlets for volunteers to give back, protect the integrity of the game and generate significant charitable and economic impact in communities in which it plays. In 2016, the newly-introduced Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs will identify and recognize the Tour’s leading player via a season-long race for the Charles Schwab Cup. The Commissioner of the PGA TOUR is Tim Finchem. Greg McLaughlin is President of PGA TOUR Champions. The PGA TOUR’s website is pgatour.com, the No. 1 site in golf, and the organization is headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Follow PGA TOUR Champions at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions and on Twitter @ChampionsTour.