WHO NEEDS TWO? US OPEN TICKETS RUNNING OUT buy the last few left today at USOPEN.com That rare Midwest US Open appearance is upon us, starting on Monday. ______________________________________________________________________

THE GOG BLOG by RORY SPEARS, Editor and Director of Content. Follow Rory on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter @GogBlogGuy. With Illinois golf coach Mike Small.

Illinois mens golf coach Mike Small has received a sponsors exemption to play in the American Family Insurance Champions Tour event in Madison Wisconsin.

The tournament will be played from June 23-25 at the University Ridge golf Course in Madison Wiscosnin.

Small will join his former teammate at Illinois, Wisconsin’s very own Steve Stricker  who is the tournaments host.

Small turned 50 early last year and is now eligible to play on the Champions Tour. For the third straight year, Small’s Illinois team reached the final four in the NCAA Championships. Prior to that Small was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year for the 8th time.

Small played 5 years on the PGA Tour and Web.com Tour. Since becoming the coach at Illinois, Small has made 34 starts on the PGA Tour, and has made the cut in 15 events. He was the low club pro at the PGA Championship in both 2007-2011, and has qualified for the PGA Championship in seven other years. He has won the PGA Professional National Championship three times.

The 1988 Big Ten Championship Team with Mike Small and Steve Stricker.

This spring Small played as a sponsors exemption at the Tucson Conquistadores Classic. In three rounds Small shot 69-72-73 for a 42nd place finish for his best finish on tour. last year Small was T-43 at the U.S. Senior Open Championship.

During the 1988 Big Ten Championship won by Stricker, Small came in second place.

Tickets are now on sale for the championship. The general admission ticket is $25, the clubhouse ticket is $50 and includes special amenities. Active duty military and retired military can receive a three day-pass for free. Proceeds from the event are donated to the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation and the AFI childrens hospital. More than 1 million dollars was raised last year.

Mike Small speaking on playing in the Steve Stricker AFI Champions Tour event.

Recent additions to the field include 2017 Champions Tour winners Tom Lehman and Scott McCarron. There will be a celebrity foursome on Saturday that includes Brett Farve, Derek Jeter, Darius Rucker and Andy North.

For more details on the championship or to get tickets for the June 23-25 event please visit AmFamChampionship.com or social media sites on Twitter-Facebook and Instagram.