Jack Nicklaus to attend U.S. Venture Open

'Golden Bear' will give a keynote at Wisconsin’s largest one-day charitable event dedicated to fighting poverty

Published on February 17, 2012

One of the greatest names in the world of golf will be the featured guest at this summer’s U.S. Venture Open.

Golf Hall of Famer Jack Nicklaus, winner of a record 18 career golf majors, will give the keynote address on Aug. 8 at a dinner that caps a day in which participants golf at five Fox Valley courses.

The U.S. Venture Open is northeast Wisconsin’s largest one-day charitable event dedicated to fighting poverty. Last year, the golf outing raised $1.8 million.

LPGA champion and fellow Hall of Fame member Nancy Lopez, who attended the event last year along with cyclist Lance Armstrong, will also return this year and join Nicklaus at the dinner and auction following the golf outing.

Both golfers were selected to participate for much more than their golf accomplishments, U.S. Venture Open organizer Sarah Schmidt told the Appleton Post Crescent.

“Both Jack Nicklaus and Nancy Lopez are committed to helping others.

Their charitable work is significant and in line with the mission of the U.S. Venture Open,” Schmidt said.

This year’s marks the 27^th anniversary of the event started by Bill Schmidt, chairman emeritus of U.S. Venture Inc.

Funds generated through event sponsorships and donations go to the U.S. Venture Open Fund for Basic Needs, a fund established within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation and the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation. Grants are made to nonprofit organizations in the Fox Valley, Green Bay and Oshkosh.

For more information, please go to www.usventure.com.