Announced at this week’s Media Day – Nicklaus and Brett Favre will take on Andy North and Toby Keith in 9-hole exhibition
Jack Nicklaus, widely recognized as golf’s greatest player of all time, will play in The AmFam Champ Celebrity Foursome, hosted by Andy North, at this year’s American Family Insurance Championship, tournament officials announced Tuesday.
Nicklaus will join local favorite and two-time U.S. Open champion Andy North, Green Bay Packers great Brett Favre and country music star Toby Keith. The foursome will play in a 9-hole exhibition on Saturday, June 22, part of the second round of the PGA TOUR Champions event at University Ridge Golf Course.
“Our celebrity foursome has quickly become a major attraction, but Jack’s presence, along with Andy, Brett and Toby, will make it even more special for our fans,” said Nate Pokrass, American Family Insurance Championship tournament director. “You can be sure they’ll entertain the crowds, and help us raise even more money for charity. We’re honored and thrilled to have them.”
A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Nicklaus has 18 major championships (six Masters, five PGA Championships, four U.S. Opens and three Open Championships) among his 73 PGA TOUR wins, in addition to 20 international victories. He’s also a 10-time winner on PGA TOUR Champions, including eight major championships. Nicklaus played on the U.S. Ryder Cup team six times, and captained the team twice. He’s also captained the U.S. Presidents Cup team four times.
Nicklaus’s accomplishments extend far beyond his play. He was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014 “in recognition of his service to the nation in promoting excellence and good sportsmanship.” He is one of the world’s leading golf course designers, with more than 600 professional golf tournaments staged on as many as 90 of his courses.
He continues to host the PGA TOUR event he founded, The Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, won in 2011 by American Family Insurance Championship player-host Steve Stricker.
Brett Favre and Andy North return
Favre and North have played in every American Family Insurance Championship celebrity foursome since the tournament started in 2016. Last year, the two paired up to defeat World Golf Hall of Famer Lee Trevino and baseball legend Derek Jeter in the friendly competition.
This year, Nicklaus and Favre will take on North and Keith, who will perform the night before at the sold-out tournament concert at Madison’s Breese Stevens Field. An avid golfer, Keith is a regular playing partner with Stricker at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am.
The star-studded foursome will play in a 9-hole scramble on Saturday. The players will tee off from the 10th hole at approximately 2:30 p.m., following the final tournament group for the day.
Celebrity foursome named to honor Andy North
In recognition of North’s contributions to Wisconsin golf, his support for the American Family Insurance Championship, and his shared philanthropic passions with the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation, the celebrity foursome will now have an official name. It will be known as The AmFam Champ Celebrity Foursome, hosted by Andy North.
“Andy’s accomplishments on the course and in the community are legendary, and his enthusiasm and advocacy for the championship – to the tour, the players and fans – is one of the reasons we’ve been successful,” Pokrass said. “He’s been a true ambassador for our event and its positive impacts on our community.”
Special tickets discounts still available
Tickets for the American Family Insurance Championship are available from the home page of AmFamChampionship.com under the “Get Tickets” link, with special discounts for certain tickets purchased before June 1, including:
- $5 off a $25 general admission ticket
- $5 off a $20 Champions ticket (50 years +)
Active duty, reserve and retired military personnel can again enjoy a free three-day pass and any child 15 and under gets free admission to the tournament with a paid adult admission.