The Rusty Putter Invitational (the “Putter”) is an event that began in 1987 when four golfing buddies (Roger Bowden, Steve Brown, Mike Coyle and Jack Way) agreed that it would be a good idea to kick off the golf season with a business mixer. The four pals challenged themselves to each invite 10 friends to join them for golf and friendship (which can be mutually exclusive) at the Cherokee County Club in Madison (some of you will recall this was before the concept of “drainage” was introduced at Cherokee). Their invitation challenges somehow met, the original foursome trudged though the cold drizzle of early May with 40 other golfers, most thinking one of two things: “golf is a bad idea,” or “befriending one of these four guys was a bad idea.” However, camaraderie trumped conditions, and the Putter was established. 

Its reputation grew, and every year since, more and more golfers with (sometimes dubious) ties to the real estate community have found a way to get invited to the Putter.  In many years, the weather has not been much better than in the 1987 inaugural, but the spirit of camaraderie and great networking always ensures a good turnout. Today, still an invitation-only event, the Putter is consistently completely booked for the 216 golfing slots available at the 27-hole House on the Rock Resort course.  

In 2000, First American Title Insurance Company (“First American”) offered to assist with the management of the Putter, which has now become a signature golf season kick-off for the Madison area. Under the direction of First American, the Rusty Putter has maintained its core purpose of providing business networking opportunities in a golfing venue. The concepts behind the Putter have more recently been expanded so that it now also functions as a fundraiser for Porchlight, Inc., a Madison organization providing housing and other services for homeless persons in the Dane County area.

Many of the original 40 golfers still participate in the Putter more than 30 years later; although most probably still wonder whether having ever met one of the four founders is a misfortune in their lives.