By Brian Clark
WisBusiness.com
Special To Channel 3000

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. Curt is president 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.

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