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The Mike Bencriscutto Junior
Masters Golf Tournament was started in 1974 as the dream of its
founder, the late Mike Bencriscutto. Disturbed that the availability
to compete in junior tournaments strongly favored junior golfers
with country club affiliations, Mike was determined to do something
about it.
As the consummate golf professional,
he envisioned an event that would rival the finest junior tournament
anywhere. To make his dream materialize, Mike enlisted the
assistance and commitment of eight knowledgeable and very capable
players themselves who shared his dedication and enthusiasm for
junior golf. These eight individuals were a perfect fit to assure
that the tournament would be successful. Their challenge was to
promote the program to local business leaders and get their
financial support. After nearly two years of intense effort, Mike
and his select board had their financial support and a host of
volunteers standing by to inaugurate what was then known as the
Wisconsin Junior Masters Championship.
Mike and his committee were uniquely
qualified to structure a tournament for the juniors. Nearly all of
these individuals had learned to play under Mike's tutelage and were
very experienced players that had won many tournaments statewide.
Today, the success of the tournament lives on through the loyal
dedication of five of these original committee members. These
members include George Madsen, Bruce Hansen, Paul Loth, John Feiner,
and the chairman Tom Feiner. Several additional directors were added
to the board ( all former Junior Masters competitors) to assist
Chairman Tom Feiner in continuing the high standards of the
tournament. A very good amateur golfer for many years, Tom was
Mike's hand-picked choice to succeed him as chairman.
The format of the Junior Masters was
designed to offer the juniors a maximum number of rounds for the
cost of their entry fee. The board decided that the best way to do
this was to have a 36-hole qualifying on Monday and Tuesday and then
begin the match play on Wednesday. By the end of the final match on
Friday the finalists have played a total of 36 holes of medal play
qualifying, and six 18-hole match play rounds. This format was
designed to test not only ones golfing skills, but their endurance
as a player as well.
Today, the Junior Masters is as
strong as ever with 200 plus entries filled nearly two months before
the tournament's deadline date. Since the Junior Masters is a
statewide open tournament, it follows that the division winners rank
among the best junior golfers in the state. While many of these
young players have continued to play outstanding golf after the
Junior Masters, at least four, Steve Stricker, Skip Kendall, J.P.
Hayes, and Jerry Kelly are making their mark on the PGA Tour.
With the continued support and
generosity of the many volunteers and donators, the board of
directors trusts the Mike Bencriscutto Junior Masters Championship
will remain a prestigious and successful event for many years to
come.
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