Madison,
19
August
2015
|
00:00 AM
America/Chicago

Nate Pokrass leading efforts for 2016 PGA Champions Tour golf event

Summary

Nate Pokrass has been named tournament director for the 2016 American Family Insurance Championship golf event, the recently announced PGA Champions Tour event that will be hosted by Steve Stricker. In addition, Nate will take on foundation director responsibilities for the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation.

pokrass.png

Nate Pokrass has been named tournament director for the 2016 American Family Insurance Championship golf event, the recently announced PGA Champions Tour event that will be hosted by Steve Stricker. In addition, Nate will take on foundation director responsibilities for the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation.

Nate is leading planning for what will be an annual PGA Champions Tour event debuting at University Ridge Golf Course June 22-26, 2016. Proceeds from the annual golf event will be distributed through the foundation to the American Family Children’s Hospital and other charities.

Working with the PGA Champions Tour and community partners, Nate will plan and manage the thousands of details required for the event. An outside firm will be selected to assist in tournament operations, and staff positions will be added for additional help with planning.Nate’s work is in full swing, establishing a staffing plan for the tournament and the foundation, and collaborating with American Family executives, PGA Tour executives and other external consultants to determine tournament overall logistics with the goal of long-term viability of the event. Steve Stricker is also highly involved in the planning process in addition to being the official host of the tournament in 2016. He will play in the event in 2017 when he is 50.

Nate is also meeting with local and statewide partners to establish a schedule of events.

“This isn’t just a golf event, but a week-long community celebration for our employees, agents and state residents, that will benefit the American Family Children’s Hospital and other deserving organizations,” says Nate.

The event will require the assistance of 1,000 volunteers, many of whom Nate anticipates will be employees and agents who want a role in the inaugural event.

Also key to a successful tournament is securing sponsorships. “We are preparing sponsorship, hospitality and Pro-Am packages for businesses as well as American Family vendors that will be presented beginning in September,” he says. Also in the works are additional sponsorship and hospitality opportunities for agents.

An essential element of communicating information about the tournament will be a website. Nate is overseeing creation of the tournament website which is expected to go live on October 1 and will include registration for volunteers and ticket sales.

Nate comes to American Family and his new role from the University of Illinois, where he served as assistant athletics director for development since October 2014. He previously worked in various development roles at the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 2005 to 2014, including three years as senior director of development.

While at the UW, Nate was part of an athletic department development team that raised more than $240 million for student-athlete scholarships, team operational expenses and facility construction and renovation. One of those projects was development of an indoor golf training center at University Ridge.

“Planning an event of this magnitude comes with a whirlwind of details, but I’m enjoying every minute of it,” says Nate. “I look forward to a great event that will enhance the American Family brand, support local organizations and be something all of us – employees, agents, our customers and communities– can be proud of for years to come.”

##

________________________________________________________________________

About American Family Insurance
American Family Insurance is the nation's third-largest mutual property/casualty insurance company and ranks 358th on the Fortune 500 list. The company sells American Family-brand products, including auto, homeowners, life, business and farm/ranch insurance, through its exclusive agents in 19 states. American Family affiliates (The General, Homesite and AssureStart) also provide options for consumers who want to manage their insurance matters directly over the Internet or by phone. Web: www.amfam.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/amfam; Twitter: www.twitter.com/amfam. Google+ plus.google.com/+amfam/