Tee off at AmFam Championship holds special meaning for teen golfer

May 06, 2023

Reporter

Tee off to start 2023 AmFam Championship has special meaning for participant

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MADISON, Wis. -- Mackenzie Sloan's near-flawless shot Friday morning meant the 2023 American Family Insurance Championship was in full swing.

Golf, she said, has been there for her through a tough health battle.

The 17-year-old recent graduate of Middleton High School played on her alma mater's team, but getting on the green Friday was a milestone for her.

"My sophomore year I was diagnosed with leukemia, so I had to go through treatment that lasted a total of two years," she said.

It's fitting, then, that the tournament raises money to help patients just like Sloan, who was treated at the children's hospital bearing the name of the company behind the event.

"We were proud to put our name on the children's hospital more than 15 years ago, but it was more than just writing a check at that time -- we've been committed to supporting the children's hospital," Jim Buchheim, American Family Insurance's community and social impact officer, said.

The first AmFam Championship was held in 2016 to raise money for local charities; in the years since, the event has raised more than $14.8 million, according to the insurance company.

But it's about more than just money; each putt helps put the young golfer's journey into perspective.

"Every shot is your own and you just have to keep going, which I feel is just like life," she said.

For more information about the event, click or tap here.

​COPYRIGHT 2023 BY CHANNEL 3000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.

Reporter

Kathryn Merck is a general assignment reporter for WISC-TV News 3 Now and Channel3000.com. You can contact her at [email protected].