Greater Milwaukee Open

     The Greater Milwaukee Open, brought to the community by the PGA is always an exhilarating event.   It is held at the Brown Deer golf course on Good Hope and Calumet Rd.  If you are interested in more information or directions you can check them out on the web at: www.greatermilwaukeeopen.com/.   The GMO is usually held during the second week of July each year.   Unfortunately, the British Open is also held then and the most popular golfers choose to go there instead.

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    Many famous golfers have made history at this golf course.   Greg Norman won there in 1989, and Tiger Woods also started his PGA TOUR career there; scoring a hole-in-one on the 14th green that week.   And last year, during sudden death, Shigeki Maruyama sunk a 4½í birdie to beat out Charles Howell III, and become the first Japanese player to win a PGA TOUR event.
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    Sponsorship is what keeps this benefit alive making the GMO successful for the past thirty years.   Kraft Foods and Aurora Health Care, account for more than three-quarters of the contributions.   The generated profits are used for golf related scholarships and programs to attract youngsters to the sport.   Last year the charitable funds exceeded $552,000.   This amounted to a 4.2% increase over the previous year.   The GMO also supports many community-related benefits.   As a result of volunteers, the GMO has been able to donate over $2.75 million since 1994.
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     The cost to enter is $20 for a single pass, and there are also specialty rates that allow access into the ěcorporate tentî areas.   These areas are an added plus because they have shaded seating areas and gourmet food.
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     It is a municipal course; one of three on the PGA tour.   The grounds consist of a peat and sand mixture and measure 6,759 total yards.   It also boasts a total par of 71 consisting of four par 5ís, nine par 4ís, and five par 3ís.
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     Out-of-towners will find many nice lodging facilities located near the course. There is a variety of restaurants ranging from Mexican, Italian, Bar/Grill, to Delis.   Thirteen concession stands are located on the course as well; five full concession stands, three beverage only stands, and five ice cream stands.
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     While some may think golfing is boring and expensive others think it is well worth it in the end.   It is a unique sport.   If you ever get the opportunity to attend this function, by all means go!
Matthew Winters