Golf Outing Honoring Friend's Life Hosted By Brookfield Bar Owner

BROOKFIELD, WI — A Brookfield bar owner will honor a friend's life and raise money at a golf outing.

The Second Annual Deaner Invitational will start at Wanaki Golf Course, N50W20830 Lisbon Rd, at 8 a.m. on July 30.

The golf outing has 80 spots available and costs $100 to participate, Saloon on Calhoun owner Dave Dayler told Patch.

The Saloon will donate money raised from the event to Kids Chance Wisconsin, he said. The organization gives scholarships to the children of workers who have been injured or killed in workplace accidents, according to the organization website.

The outing is named after Gregg Dean, a beer sales representative for Beachwood Beer and friend of the bar. Dean was 6 feet and 8 inches tall, had a robust personality and made sure everyone had a great time, Dayler said.

"He was a giant of a man and a giant of a personality," Dayler said.

Dean was struck and killed by a passing car while walking home on West Capitol Drive on July 18, 2019.

"It hit everyone extraordinarily difficult," Dayler said. "That reinforces things I say all the time, like 'live everyday like it's your last, because one day it will be,' but you never like it when it's that much in your face. That was the situation with him."

Dean and Dayler had plans to play at a golf fundraiser on July 22, 2019, Dayler said. Instead of going, Dayler planned for the first Deaner Invitational in the wake of his friend's death. The first event was held on July 22, 2020 and 80 golfers attended despite the coronavirus pandemic, he added.

Dean's wife and daughter asked for the funds raised to go to Kids Chance Wisconsin, Dayler said. "They're still close to us and patrons of our business, so we're committed to do this every year," he added.

Participants play an 18-hole golf game and get to use a cart when they pay, Dayler said. Winners have the chance to have their name put on the "Deaner Cup," which is awarded to golfers who get their best ball in their teams.

Golfers will also get a welcome bag, a catered buffet lunch at the Saloon and the chance to participate in raffles, according to the event page.