Charitable proceeds reach more than $1 million from 2016 American Family Insurance Championship

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The 2016 American Family Insurance Championship made history in its first year, raising more than $1 million for charity, tournament and PGA TOUR officials announced today.

The total charitable proceeds of $1,089,500 is the one of the highest-ever for a first-year PGA TOUR Champions event. The money will be distributed to the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wis., and 33 other local charities.

The grand total raised and charitable organization recipients were revealed at an event today held at the American Family Insurance corporate headquarters. The event featured championship host and PGA TOUR winner Steve Stricker, his wife, Nicki, Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation board members, American Family CEO Jack Salzwedel, members of the American Family Insurance Championship tournament team, and PGA TOUR Champions representatives.

“On behalf of the Stricker family, we are extremely appreciative of the generosity received from the entire Wisconsin community,” said Steve Stricker. “To make a significant impact on local charities while fulfilling our dream of having professional golf back in Wisconsin is unbelievably rewarding.”

“This is a day of incredible pride and gratitude,” said Jack Salzwedel. “We were told it would be ambitious to expect to raise even $500,000 for charity in the first year of this event. Steve and our tournament team were convinced they could deliver more, and did they ever.

“This $1 million-plus proceeds for charity represents the overwhelming support of everyone who embraced this great event that will benefit so many. We are very thankful to all who had a part in making this first year such a success.”

The inaugural American Family Insurance Championship was held in June at University Ridge golf course in Madison, Wis. More than 56,000 spectators from 26 states attended during the three days of tournament play and 1,200 volunteers donated their time to take part in the event. The local economic impact of the tournament was estimated to be around $12 million.

“We are truly grateful for the passionate support received from sponsors, volunteers and fans to ensure the success of this year’s tournament,” said Nicki Stricker.

Miller Brady, chief operating officer of the PGA TOUR Champions, noted the “phenomenal success” of the tournament, saying it “delivered one of the most impressive first-year events in PGA TOUR Champions history.” He added, “The support from the fans, sponsors and the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation allowed this tournament to create a major impact in the Madison area, while building a strong foundation for continued growth in the future.”

As announced previously, the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison will receive a little more than half of the proceeds, with the other $500,000 shared among 33 other organizations, such as Second Harvest Foodbank, The First Tee of Southcentral Wisconsin and Boys & Girls Club of Dane County.

Next year’s event will be held June 19-25, 2017, with special events Monday-Thursday and tournament play Friday-Sunday. Kirk Triplett will return as defending champion and Stricker, who becomes eligible for the PGA TOUR Champions next year, will play in the tournament for the first time."I am very proud to be the winner of the inaugural American Family Insurance Championship,” said Triplett. “After seeing the support of the community, the Strickers, and American Family Insurance, it’s obvious this tournament will have a very big impact in Madison for many years to come. I can't wait for 2017.”

*See below for a complete list of organizations who will share this year’s proceeds.

Watch the video recapping the 2016 American Family Insurance Championship.

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. On Dec. 7, 2016, The American Family Insurance Championship was awarded with PGA TOUR Champions “Outstanding Achievement Award” at the PGA TOUR’s Tournament Meetings in Las Vegas. 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

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*GRANT RECIPIENTS FROM THE 2016 AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP:

$589,500
American Family Children’s Hospital

$500,000 (varying amounts)
American Cancer Society
Balance & Believe Foundation
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Dane County
Boys & Girls Club of Dane County
Bridge Lake Point Waunona Neighborhood Center
Children's Dyslexia Center
Cover Me Veterans
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services
East Madison Community Center
Edgerton Community Outreach
The First Tee of South Central Wisconsin
Gio's Garden
Goodman Community Center
Habitat for Humanity of Dane County
Happy Kids Network
Jockey Family Foundation
KOJO Productions
Madison 4 Kids
Madison Reading Project
Middleton Outreach Ministry
Mike Muranyi Junior Golf FoundationMonsignor Thomas F. Campion Charitable Fund
The River Food Pantry
Second Harvest Foodbank
Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program
Sun Prairie Community Schools
Timothy W. Finchem The First Tee Scholarship
Tri 4 Schools
United Way of Dane County
VSA Wisconsin
Waunakee Community School District
Wisconsin PGA Junior Foundation
YMCA of Dane County