HARRISON, Wis. — Golf isn’t always about the lowest score.

What You Need To Know

  • The U.S. Venture Open is touted as one of the largest one-day fundraisers in the nation
  • Money is earmarked to help end poverty in northeastern Wisconsin
  • Organizers hope to raise more than $4 million through the event this year​

Reed Schultz and hundreds of other golfers took to the links around Appleton and Green Bay to help end poverty Wednesday.

’I left this morning and told [my children] I was going to a golf outing and told them it was to benefit the community and those who are less fortunate than us,” he said. “And to give back.”

Schultz was a participant in the U.S. Venture Open, a 36-year-old charitable event aimed at ending poverty in the region and state.

“That’s an important factor in life: Be grateful and appreciative of the things you have and if you have the opportunity, give back,” Schultz said.

The open raises millions of dollars annually to help end poverty in the region and across the state.

Former open director Sarah Schmidt — the daughter of the event’s founder —says it is making a difference.

 “We invite people to come and golf, but you pay to golf,” she said. “You pay to support the event and that money goes directly to none profits who are engaging in critical work throughout all 16 counties in northeast Wisconsin.”

Soggy conditions ruled out play at three courses, but the open went on at North Shore Golf Club in Harrison and others.

“Three of our courses are closed today, half of our golfers can’t play today and yet, we’re going to raise over $4 million,” Schmidt said. “Is it about golf? No, it is not about golf. Golf is a reason to come together.”

While helping the community is at the heart of the open, Schultz still planned to keep score.

“We’re going to see what we can get under,” he said.