By Brian E. Clark
WisBusiness.com
Wisconsin business leaders Craig and Curt Culver have donated $250,000 to fund an expansion of First Tee, a program for young golfers aimed at middle schoolers. Craig is head of Culver’s restaurants, while Curt is CEO of Milwaukee-based MGIC Investment Corp.
Both are avid golfers, but Curt is better, the brothers agree.
“Never any doubt about that,” quipped Curt, who said the two are co-chairing a capital campaign to raise $3.5 million for the program. It will pay for equipment, scholarships, getting PGA teaching pros into classrooms, training PE teachers and renovating a training center in Milwaukee.
Joe Stadler, executive director of the Wisconsin PGA, said the gift is the most generous in the organization’s history. He said the state’s PGA Foundation will match the Culver’s gift with another $250,000.
Stadler said the First Tee program has been offered in Milwaukee schools, but will be expanded to other areas of the state.
“Last year, we were able to reach about 1,600 kids in Milwaukee schools,” he said. “The feedback was fantastic from teachers, kids and administrators. That’s one of the reasons we want to expand.”
In addition to helping create the next generation of golfers – and perhaps another Tiger Woods or two — he said one of the main thrusts of the program is to teach a variety of life skills such as courtesy, confidence and good sportsmanship.
Curt Culver — who is two years younger than his brother at 56, boasts a 2 handicap and played golf in college — said he and Craig wanted to give something back to a sport they both love.
“I’m not so much interested in talking about our donation,” he said. “I’d rather talk about how golf has enhanced Craig’s an my lives.
“And I think with the pros’ help, this campaign will be successful,” he said.
Craig, who has an 11 handicap, said he and his brother did not grow up wealthy and learned their work ethic from their parents.
“Certainly, we have been fortunate in our professional lives and are lucky to be able to make this gift,” he said.
He said the pair spent many hours at the golf course near their home in Prairie du Sac, often riding their bikes to the family A&W drive-in to wash mugs after playing.
“Golf was very important to us,” he said. “And a wonderful pro at the Lake Wisconsin Country Club, Ray Kaizer, was a great mentor to us.”
Culver said the game stoked the brothers’ competitive side.
“And competitiveness is a big part of business. We love to win, but we also learned how humbly lose. You learn to be a good sport in golf and congratulate whoever wins.”
