Stricker brings Champions Tour to state

Wisconsin will host an annual PGA Tour event for the first time since the Greater Milwaukee Open ended a 42 year run in 2009.   The Champions Tour will play at University Ridge Golf Course outside Madison for the American Family Insurance Open beginning in June of 2016.  At a news conference outside the clubhouse Monday, current PGA touring pro Steve Stricker announced the details.  Stricker said he’s been working hard to bring the Champions Tour (pros who have reached 50 years of age) for the past couple of years and was able to land Madison-based American Family as the title sponsor. Stricker said many players who regularly competed for the GMO title are now on the Champions Tour like Kenny Perry and Fred Funk.   Wisconsin has become a player in major championship golf with Whistling Straits hosting it’s third PGA  Championship this August.  Erin Hills outside Hartford will host the US Open in 2017 and the Ryder Cup returns to the Straits in 2020.  There have also been US Women’s Open and a US Amateur played in the Badger state in recent years but now the Champions Tour will make Madison an annual stop