Wisconsin's PGA TOUR stars raise nearly $230,000 for charity

PGA TOUR winners Mark Wilson, left, and Jerry Kelly hosted the Heroes For Kids event.
Photo: Jim Owczarski/OnMilwaukee.com

August 3, 2012

By Jim Owczarski, OnMilwaukee.com

WALES, Wis.– A Marine Corps color guard stood at attention as the wails of a bagpipe drifted across the putting green at The Legend at Brandybrook. Golf color commentator David Feherty thankfully slapped the back of a veteran with a prosthetic leg while PGA TOUR winner Mark Wilson leaned on a cart to chat with a fellow participant.

Such was the scene in Wales on Monday during the second annual Heroes For Kids charity outing, which was presented by the Wisconsin PGA and featured touring professionals with state ties, including Wilson, Jerry Kelly, Skip Kendall and JP Hayes. It was a relaxed, public event designed to raise money for a handful of charities, including The First Tee of Milwaukee County and several groups designed to support veterans and their families.

Last year the event raised nearly $230,000 in total donations – which included cash donations and the funding of several scholarships – and this year cash giving was up at least 15 percent.

The idea for the event was initially conceived to drum up corporate support for the return of the PGA Tour to Milwaukee, but this year several of the tour pro's felt the focus shifted – and rightfully so – to a more charitable angle.

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