3 things you (probably) don’t know about Wisconsin’s Steve Stricker

2023 Senior PGA Championship, with daughter/caddy, Izzi

By Christina Lorey

May 29, 2024

Edgerton native Steve Stricker is back in Wisconsin – getting ready for the annual American Family Insurance Championship at Madison’s University Ridge Golf Course, which he started in 2016. To date, the annual, week-long golf tournament has raised more than $15 million for 140 local charities and the American Family Children’s Hospital. (This year, it’s expected to rake in another $2.5 million!)

Over the course of his 30+ year career, Stricker has earned a reputation as one of the nicest guys in golf. But there’s more to Stricker than his swing and his smile. Here are three things you (probably) don’t know about the former Ryder Cup captain:

⛳️ Stricker married into a golfing family. His father-in-law, Dennis Tiziani, and his brother-in-law, Mario Tiziani played on the PGA Tour and his wife, Nicki, is often Stricker’s caddy. More recently, daughters Izzi and Bobbi have been spotted on the course with him.

⛳️ Despite being from Wisconsin, Stricker’s a Bears fan. He made the revelation while captaining the US team at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Ryder Cup, much to the chagrin of the crowd. When they started to boo, Dustin Johnson leaned over and quipped, “Next time, let’s not tell all the Green Bay fans you’re a Bears fan.”

MORE: Stricker Knew He Messed Up After Confessing His Allegiance to the Bears

⛳️ Stricker’s most successful season came at age 42 in 2009. That year, Stricker reached a career-high world ranking of No. 2 in September, with three PGA Tour wins (the Colonia National Championship, the John Deere Classic, and the Deutsche Bank Championship) and one runner-up finish.

However, the 57-year-old golfer has been extra hot lately. Last year, he earned the 2023 Jack Nicklaus Award as the Champions Tour’s Player of the Year. He also won the Arnold Palmer Award (season money leader) and Byron Nelson Award (season scoring average), setting PGA TOUR Champions records in both categories.

BONUS: Stricker has reached true Wisconsin icon status–he has his own beer!

Author

Christina Lorey

Christina Lorey is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist and former UpNorthNews newsletter editor. She previously worked as a producer, reporter, and TV anchor for stations in Madison and Moline. When she’s not writing or asking questions, Christina volunteers with Girls on the Run, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, and several mental health organizations.

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