When U.S. Venture Open organizers look for a nationally known sports celebrity to appear at their annual golf event for charity, they want one with the heart of a champion, too.
So this year, Lance Armstrong — seven-time winner of the Tour de France, a cancer survivor and a champion when it comes to charity causes — was an easy choice. Armstrong will be the featured guest at this year's U.S. Venture Open charity golf outing on Aug. 10.
"Through his foundation, Lance is able to help so many people affected by cancer," said event organizer Sarah Schmidt. "His charitable work is remarkable and in line with the mission of the U.S. Venture Open."
The golfing event will be held at the Oneida Golf & Country Club, North Shore Golf Club, Wander Springs, Mid Vallee and Fox Valley Golf Club.
Last year, the U.S. Oil Open raised $2,217,800 during the one-day golf outing, breaking all records in the event's 25-year history. Schmidt said this year's goal is to surpass that total.
"We live and work in a great community and we want to give something back," she said.
While in the Fox Cities, Armstrong will speak to 800 VIP guests at Van Abel's in Hollandtown.
"It's an honor to have worked with the U.S. Venture organization for as long it's been going on and to help make it successful," said Chris Coenen, general manager at Van Abel's. "They put back so much into the community."
Although he is officially retired from competitive cycling, Armstrong leads the Lance Armstrong Foundation to fight against cancer.
In 2004, he partnered with Nike to create the LIVESTRONG yellow wristband and his foundation became a global movement about hope, empowerment and taking control of your life in health. In 2008, the Foundation launched a new health, fitness and lifestyle website called LIVESTRONG. COM, a site designed to inspire people to change their lives through health and fitness.
While Armstrong was at the top of his game, he was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and his brain. After a course of aggressive chemotherapy, he eventually returned to competitive racing and joined the U.S. Postal Service racing team. In 1999 he won his first Tour de France and went on to add six more titles to his list of accomplishments.
He continues to be a leader and activist on behalf of cancer survivors around the world.
"Lance is in demand. He is really dedicated to his foundation and to his bike team," Schmidt said. "Our event is for a great cause, he likes it and it fits into his schedule. He has dedicated his life to improving the lives of others and we want to continue that."
Steve Nockerts, director of golf at Fox Valley Golf Club, said that when organizers bring in high-profile guests like Arnold Palmer and Nancy Lopez in 2010 and Armstrong this year, you can't help but to pay attention to their cause.
"Their commitment to partner with these people and what they have accomplished shows how serious U.S. Venture is about having a successful event for charity," Nockerts said
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