Andy North joins the field of the 2021 American Family Insurance Championship

Andy North, two-time U.S. Open champion and Wisconsin golf legend and ambassador, will play in the 2021 American Family Insurance Championship. Tickets for the June 11-13 championship at University Ridge golf course go on sale tomorrow, May 11, at amfamchampionship.com.

North’s addition will mark his sixth decade of professional golf, which started in 1972 following an All-American career at University of Florida and titles at the Western Amateur in 1971 and Wisconsin State Amateur in 1969.

“Words can’t describe our excitement in having Andy join our field,” said Nate Pokrass, tournament director. “He has served as a tournament ambassador and host of the celebrity group since the beginning in 2016. Now, to have him join the competition is a great honor for our event and for Wisconsin golf fans.”

“It’s going to be a fun week,” North said at the championship’s annual Media Day. “I’m really looking forward to competing again, and to have it happen in my hometown of Madison makes it even more special.”

North will play under a sponsor’s exemption as part of the championship’s elevation to invitational status. The player eligibility enhancement, along with an increase in the total purse to $2.4 million, will help ensure the championship has one of the strongest fields on PGA TOUR Champions annually.

“I’m super-excited to see Andy playing in this year’s championship,” said Steve Stricker, player-host. “Andy was the person I looked up to as a junior golfer, and he’s been there for Jerry Kelly (American Family Insurance Championship defending champion) and me our whole careers. I’ve always admired him for what he’s stood for, not only for the game of golf but also as a family man and as a person.”

North won his first U.S. Open in 1978 at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado. Seven year later, he won the U.S. Open again at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. North’s third PGA TOUR win was the 1978 Westchester Classic. He also played on the 1985 U.S. Ryder Cup Team.

North also holds six PGA TOUR Champions titles, all of them in the Legends of Golf event with partners Jim Colbert (2000-2001) and Tom Watson (2005-2008.)

An ESPN golf analyst since 1992, North is an avid University of Wisconsin sports fan, and at one time assisted the Badger football staff. He was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998.

Tickets available for purchase tomorrow

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, attendance at this year’s American Family Insurance Championship will be limited to 5,000 per day, with health and safety protocols that include:

• Face coverings will be required for all spectators, staff and volunteers unless actively eating or drinking. Eating and drinking will not be allowed within 10 feet of the spectator rope line. Concessions services, , will be available in selected locations on the golf course.
• Public bleacher seating will not be available. Fans are encouraged to bring chairs and sit in ways that help ensure physical distancing throughout all 18 holes.
• Sanitation stations will be located throughout the grounds, as will “safety ambassadors” to encourage attendee compliance with COVID-safety protocols.

Tickets for tournament play can be purchased beginning tomorrow, May 11, on a per-day basis, with special admission opportunities for military personnel, first responders and children 18 and under. To learn more, go to amfamchampionship.com.

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About the American Family Insurance Championship
The American Family Insurance Championship was created in 2016 by American Family Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions and PGA player and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker. Since its inception, the championship and associated events have raised $10.2 million for the American Family Children’s Hospital and other charities. The 2021 championship will be held June 5-13 at the University Ridge Golf Course in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information: Web: amfamchampionship.com; Twitter: @AmFamChamp; Facebook: American Family Insurance Championship; Instagram: amfamchampionship #AmFamChamp

About PGA TOUR Champions
PGA TOUR Champions is a membership organization of professional golfers age 50 and older, including 34 members of the World Golf Hall of Fame. The Tour’s mission 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 and generate significant charitable and economic impact in tournament communities. Follow PGA TOUR Champions online at PGATOUR.com, at facebook.com/PGATOURChampions, on Twitter @ChampionsTour and on Instagram @pgatourchampions.

All events are televised in the United States, with most receiving complete coverage on Golf Channel, the exclusive cable-television partner of PGA TOUR Champions. Tournament programming is available via 25+ TV linear partners in 145+ countries and territories, with 25 channels carrying long-form and/or highlights coverage, and 200+ hours of live coverage distributed in 135+ countries and territories. Programming is also available via the OTT platform GOLFTV powered by PGA TOUR in every market outside of the United States, excluding China and Korea, with live coverage distributed in 130+ countries and territories.