The PGA TOUR Champions American Family Insurance Championship raised a record $2.5 million in 2024. The Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation continues to make an impact in our communities, distributing $19.7 million via grants to 1,010 charitable organizations since 2016. As we lead up to the 2025 event, we highlight one of those organizations and the important work they do.
With support from the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation grant, the Stand Up and Play Foundation Eastern Wisconsin Chapter aims to make golf more accessible for those with physical impairments. The mission of Stand Up and Play Foundation – a nonprofit volunteer-based organization – is to give wheelchair users and those with mobility challenges the chance to stand up again, experience the empowerment of looking someone in the eye and enjoy the freedom to play sports.
Golf is more than just a social and fun activity; it has the ability to boost self-esteem and well-being. Unfortunately, golf is not always accessible to everyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four adults in the United States have at least one disability that impacts major life activities, with mobility being the most common disability, affecting approximately one in seven adults.
The Stand Up and Play Foundation provides tools like the VertaCat, an all-terrain mobility rider that elevates those who are paralyzed to a standing position. This allows wheelchair users and others with impaired mobility to engage in recreational activities like golf. The nonprofit strives to make the VertaCat available to as many individuals as possible, including organizations, rehab centers, golf courses, veteran groups, first responders and children. They also introduce the VertaCat and other adaptive equipment to wheelchair users through clinics and demonstrations.
Helping those in Wisconsin with physical impairments
In 2024, Todd Landfried founded the Stand Up and Play Eastern Wisconsin Chapter to give back and help others with physical impairments like himself. Landfried lost his ability to walk after a snowmobiling accident in February 2022.
“The Stand Up and Play Foundation is here to help others realize and achieve their dreams,” Landfried said. “After my accident, I felt it was necessary to start helping others with similar conditions. Without the support of foundations like the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation, we wouldn’t be able to help others.”
“The grant money received will help purchase a VertaCat for Mee-kwon Park Golf Course in Mequon, Wisconsin,” he added. “We want to create a destination where those with physical impairments can play. Our hope is to set up a model that all courses in Ozaukee County can follow, allowing more opportunities for everyone.”
Making the game of golf more accessible
The Stand Up and Play Foundation was originally founded in 2010 by Anthony Netto. Motivated by his own challenges, Netto co-invented the Paragolfer all-terrain standing sports wheelchair in 2000. In 2023, he achieved another milestone by co-founding and developing the VertaCat, a revolutionary adaptive golf cart. The VertaCat empowers users to navigate the green independently and confidently, showcasing advanced precision technology.
A native of South Africa, Netto is a retired military veteran who has become an international ambassador for challenged golf and USGTF Master Golf Teaching Pro since 1999. He has been involved in disabled golf across the globe. He now resides in the US, where he spends much of his time training PGA professionals, rehab therapists and adaptive golf organizations on how to use golf as therapy, while also serving as a consultant for handicapped golfers worldwide.
Learn more
For more information about the Stand Up and Play Foundation, visit their website.
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Media contacts:
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About Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation
Established in 2013 when Steve Stricker became a brand ambassador for American Family Insurance, the mission of the foundation is to inspire and develop strong families and healthy kids so they can pursue their dreams. The foundation supports organizations that produce tangible outcomes that align with this mission. Web: https://amfamchampionship.com/foundation-amfam-champ-grants-scholarship/; X: @StrickerFNDN
About the American Family Insurance Championship
The American Family Insurance Championship was created in 2016 by American Family Insurance, PGA TOUR Champions and PGA TOUR player and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker. Since its inception, the championship and associated events have raised $19.7 million for the American Family Children’s Hospital and other charities. The 2025 championship will be held June 2-8, with tournament play June 6-8, for the first time at TPC Wisconsin in Madison. For more information: Web: www.amfamchampionship.com; X: @AmFamChampionship; Facebook: American Family Insurance Championship; Instagram: amfamchampionship; TikTok: @AmFamChampionship. #AmFamChamp
