‘Raising the Grass Ceiling’ Event Kicks-Off Registration

Golf event supports youth golf in Milwaukee County

 


Milwaukee, Wis. – March 27, 2008 – Although you may not be able to see your grass yet, the U.S. Bank Championship has announced that registration is open for the “Raising the Grass Ceiling” golf event to be played June 26 at the Brown Deer Park Golf Course.  Teams of four will compete for a chance to golf in the July 16 Aurora Health Care Professional-Amateur (Pro-Am) tournament and the July 14 U.S. Bank Championship Pro-Am tournament.


 


The event supports The First Tee of Milwaukee County, which provides free golf programs to the youth of Milwaukee County who otherwise may not have been introduced to the game of golf. The First Tee program encourages girls and boys to grow as individuals through the values inherent in golf, such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.  Now in its second year, “Raising the Grass Ceiling” encourages women to participate in competitive golf by requiring each foursome to contain at least two women. 


 


 “Women’s golf has become one of the fastest growing segments in the golf industry,” said Kim Hodgkinson, committee co-chair of the event. “‘Raising the Grass Ceiling’ is an opportunity for women to participate in a PGA TOUR-related event, while supporting Milwaukee’s youth.”


 


The event format is one best ball per foursome, with each team recording its best individual score per hole.  Appropriate scores per hole will be determined based on the handicaps of each team member.  Entrance to the event is $1,500 per foursome, which includes 80 grounds tickets good for any day at the U.S. Bank Championship to be held Thursday, July 14 through Sunday, July 20 at Brown Deer Park Golf Course in Milwaukee.


 


The winning team will be awarded a foursome in the Aurora Health Care Pro-Am on Wednesday, July 16, and the runner-up will receive four spots in the U.S. Bank Championship Pro-Am on Monday, July 14.  The 2007 “Raising the Grass Ceiling” winning team was Johnson Insurance of Madison. For more information and to register for the golf event, call 414-431-GOLF.


 


“Raising the Grass Ceiling” Committee Co-Chairs include: Kim Hodgkinson, Director Finance & Operations, Aurora Health Care Ventures and Pat Kraft, Past-President of the Wisconsin Women’s State Golf Association (WWSGA).  Committee members include: Courtney Buchach, Program Director for First Tee Milwaukee; Tracy Johnson, Executive Director for Tempo Milwaukee; Kim Marotta, Senior Director of Corporate Responsibility for Miller Brewing Company; Dan Meyer, Owner and Publisher of the Small Business Times; Francis Morton, Owner, Remedi Creative Inc; Curt Neudecker, The First Tee of Milwaukee County and John Sendik, Owner of Sendik’s grocery stores.


 


About the First Tee of Milwaukee County and The WPGA Junior Foundation


The First Tee is a World Golf Foundation Initiative dedicated to providing young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship. The intent is to offer opportunities for improvement in the quality of life and create a platform where children can increase their potential for success.


 


The First Tee of Milwaukee County provides free golf programs to the youth of Milwaukee County. A majority of the children in First Tee programs would not have otherwise been introduced to the game of golf.  Whether it’s a financial issue or location relative to a golf course, the First Tee prides itself on working with all youth wanting to learn the game. Contact The First Tee of Milwaukee County at cbuchach@pgahq.com or visit http://www.thefirstteemilwaukeecounty.org/ .


 


About The U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee


 


The U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee is a non-profit event that has contributed more than $6.2 million to Wisconsin charities since 1994. Unlike any other professional sport, the U.S. Bank Championship relies on volunteers to run the event, with 100 percent of the net proceeds going to local charities. The 41st annual U.S. Bank Championship will be held Thursday, July 14 through Sunday, July 20 at Brown Deer Park Golf Course in Milwaukee. Information on tickets and business packages is available by calling 414-431-GOLF or by visiting the U.S. Bank Championship web site at www.usbankchampionship.com.