Sheboygan, WI – September 7, 2025 – Van Horn Automotive Group hosted its 4th Annual Van Horn Gives Golf Outing on Sunday, September 7, at Town & Country Golf Course in Sheboygan, raising $20,000 to support seven nonprofit organizations across Wisconsin.

The sold-out event included 36 teams, featuring at least two Van Horn employee-owners, bringing together staff, sponsors, and friends for a day of golf, raffles, games, and giving back. Teams played for the opportunity to donate to the charity of their choice. In previous years, the outing raised between $5,000–$9,000 for one to three organizations. This year’s outing raised $20,000, benefiting seven non-profits—making it the most successful outing to date. Funds were raised through team registrations, sponsorships, raffles, and on-course games.

“This is a special outing because it gives our employees the opportunity to give back to the organizations that are meaningful to them,” said Ryan Thiel, Executive Director of Business Development for Van Horn Automotive Group. “The winners don’t just receive recognition from their peers; they get to choose where the money goes. It’s a fun day of golf, but more importantly, it’s a meaningful way for us to support the communities where we live and work.”

Winning Teams and Charitable Impact

• 1st Place – (Brian Wieland, Charlie Beau, and Kevin Miller): Split $6,000 among Blandine House, Dogs2DogTags, and Samaritan’s Hand to receive $2,000 each. 
• 2nd Place – (Jeff Niesen, Aaron Fitzsimmons, Andy Smith and John Thome): Selected Gift of Life to receive $5,000. 
• 3rd Place – (Keller Sponsors & Hausmann Group Sponsors): Selected CP Green Bay to receive $4,000. 
• 8th Place –(Mike Borgman, Jason Glawe, Todd Salaj and Keagen Faherty) Selected Oconomowoc Food Pantry to receive $3,000. 
• Random Drawing – (Rob Boss, Justin Simmons, Zach Olson, Andy Tislau): Selected Safe Harbor to receive $2,000. 

In total, $20,000 was donated to seven organizations, creating meaningful impact in communities across Wisconsin.

Honoring Community and Legacy

In addition to friendly competition, the outing included heartfelt tributes. One golf hole was dedicated in memory of Nick Landgraf, a beloved Van Horn employee who passed away this year. His wife and daughter attended the event and handed out koozies in his honor, bringing his energy. The team took silly pictures to get the whole group smiling, a reminder of the lasting bonds within the Van Horn family. 

Volunteers from United Way, the Sommersberger Group, Van Horn’s BDC team, and others supported the outing, underscoring the collaborative spirit that made the day possible.

Sponsor Recognition

Van Horn Automotive Group extends sincere gratitude to its generous sponsors whose support made this impact possible:

• Gold Sponsors: Cornerstone One, Redmond Group 
• Silver Sponsors: PureCars, Podium 
• Bronze Sponsors: Bank First, Posinelli PC, CarGurus, Hausmann Group 
• After Party Sponsor: Keller 
• Hole-in-One Sponsor: Sommersberger Group 

Additional hole sponsors that benefited the raffle: Connection, Prairie, Wells Fargo, Inovatec, CLA, Lube Tech, CarsCommerce, TI Trust, Reyes Retail, Spectrum, Connection, Cox Automotive, United Way, Strong Automotive, iPacket, Gordon Flesch, Nicolet, Carbliss, Halron, iHeart Media, Mighty Parts, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and a memorial tribute to Nick Landgraf. Big thank you to Cox Automotive for the large amount of raffle prizes.

A Culture of Giving

“The golf outing is one of the best examples of how our employee-owners, sponsors, and community partners come together to create lasting impact,” said Jeff Niesen, President and CEO of Van Horn Automotive Group. “It’s a day of fun, but at its core, it’s about paying it forward and supporting the people and organizations that make our communities stronger.”

About Van Horn Automotive Group

Van Horn Automotive Group, Inc. is a family born, employee-owned automotive group with headquarters in Plymouth, Wisconsin. Founded in 1966 by Joe Van Horn as a single Chevrolet dealership, Van Horn Automotive Group has grown to include 16 automotive dealerships, a finance company, a fleet management division, and a wholesale financial products company. The group employs over 750 people throughout Wisconsin. For employment opportunities visit the Careers page at https://www.vhcars.com/careers/.