Welcome to the 75th Anniversary Annual Banquet of the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund. We are honored to have you with us tonight to support Ouimet Scholars and kick off the golf season.
Since the organization’s founding in 1949, our mission has been to award impactful need-based college scholarships. The inaugural class welcomed 13 Ouimet Scholars, and with this year’s all-time record for new applicants, we are poised to support 500 Scholars for the upcoming academic school year!
This year, The Fund awarded over $3.25 million to deserving Ouimet Scholars. You, along with other donors from all over the country, have supported more than 6,600 Scholars with $50 million in total awards during our 75 years of existence. Thank you.
With the cost of a college education continually increasing, we are eager to make an even more significant impact as we begin the next 75 years of Ouimet Scholarships. Currently, our awards cover approximately half of the financial requirements our Scholars need for their education. Our future goal is to take a bigger stride with our programs and successfully fund at least 75% of the financial need of our new Ouimet Scholars. Collectively, this Banquet, our Named Endowed Scholarship Program, the Bag Tag program, and Sustaining Lifetime Memberships, among other programs, will help make that a reality in the next few years.
Tonight, we welcome Juli Inkster and her family to Boston to receive the Francis Ouimet Award, joining other giants of the game of golf. This audience is the largest crowd for this annual event in more than 10 years! We all enthusiastically celebrate Juli’s tremendous legacy in golf and her alignment with our organization in mentoring young people through golf and adding fuel to their already stellar work ethic.
Thank you to our student speaker, Nate Ingram, who represents all Ouimet Scholars and Alumni tonight. Thank you for sharing your journey and for reflecting on how golf has made such a profound impact on the challenges you have faced in life. Your perspective and gratitude to those who have helped you along the way is special to see.
Thank you to Jim Blue for accepting the Richard F. Connolly, Jr. Award for your generous and enduring service to and impact on the Ouimet mission. We can’t thank you enough for your passion and support in helping take this organization to new levels. I know how proud our two greatest benefactors, Dick and Ann Marie Connolly, are of what you do each year for these Scholars. Most importantly, and finally, thank you to all our donors and supporters who make this funding for Ouimet Scholars a reality. You live the Ouimet motto, “For what golf has given to us, let’s give back to golf,” and we appreciate all you do.
Thank you, all. Please enjoy your evening!
Sincerely,
Duncan Gratton President, Francis Ouimet Fund Scholarship Fund
Tonight’s Speakers
HONOREE
Juli Inkster
World Golf Hall of Fame Member
FIRESIDE CHAT MODERATOR
Judy Rankin
World Golf Hall of Fame Member
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
John Dolan
Ouimet Fund Board of Directors
J. Duncan Gratton
Ouimet Fund President
Colin McGuire
Ouimet Fund Executive Director
Richard F. Connolly, Jr.
Ouimet Fund Trustee
Jim Blue
Recipient of the Richard F. Connolly, Jr. Distinguished Service Award
Nate Ingram
Student Speaker
Alison Walshe
Banquet Co-Chair
Juli Inkster
Juli Inkster grew up in Santa Cruz, CA, where she learned the game at Pasatiempo Golf Club while working the cart barn, driving range, and snack shack. She joined the boys high school golf team and earned a scholarship to San Jose State University. This launched a prolific amateur career, including three All-America honors, three straight U.S. Women’s Amateur titles, the California Amateur, team victory in the 1982 Curtis Cup, and the #1 women’s amateur golf ranking in 1981 and 1982.
Inkster came out strong in her LPGA debut season of 1983, winning her first tournament in only her fifth start. She then became the first LPGA rookie to win two major championships in one season, the 1984 Nabisco Dinah Shore and the du Maurier Classic.
Inkster’s three wins led to being chosen as LPGA Rookie of the Year and thrust the young star into the spotlight of women’s golf. She would go on to win 12 tournaments in the 1980’s, including two more majors.
The next decade was one of transition and continued success. She and her husband, Brian, became parents in 1990 and 1994 with the birth of their daughters Hayley and Cori. Inkster recorded nine wins as a mother in the 1990’s, with five coming in 1999 alone. That banner season included two major championships – the U.S. Women’s Open and Women’s PGA Championship – as she became one of only six players in LPGA history to complete the career grand slam.
Inkster is among the most successful Americans in Solheim Cup history, making 12 total appearances including three as the U.S. team captain. None was more memorable than her first stint in the captain’s seat in 2015 when Team USA mounted the largest come-from-behind victory in Solheim Cup history for the Americans’ first win since 2009. As a player, she won a total of 18.5 points and posted a 6-1 career singles record for the U.S.
Within the last five years, Inkster helped create the Juli Inkster Senior Award, given annually by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association to the top-ranked female college golfer who has completed her fourth year of eligibility. The recognition comes with a mentorship opportunity with Inkster to help prepare graduating athletes for the next steps in their golf careers.
Inkster officially became a hall of famer in 1999 when she was inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame, and was enshrined in the World Golf Hall of Fame the following year. Inkster also showcases her expertise, honesty, and passion for the game as a golf commentator, serving as a booth analyst and interviewer for various major TV networks.
• Three-Time NCAA All-American
• Three Straight U.S. Women’s Amateurs
• Seven-Time Major Champion
• Seven-Time Solheim Cup Winner
• LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer
This Evening’s Sponsors
PRESENTING SPONSOR
CELEBRATION SPONSORS
Alera Group
Andover Companies
John D. Mineck Foundation
GOLD SPONSORS
Cramer Michael Douvadjian
Encore Boston Harbor
Eversource Energy
FM Global
Goodrich Family
Investments
Companies, Inc.
SILVER SPONSORS
Steven Aicardi
Anderson, Bagley & Mayo
Insurance Agency, Inc.
Boston Rug Company
In Memory of Steve Buckley
Commodore Builders
Cornerstone Realty Capital LLC
David Douvadjian
Edelstein & Company LLP
Golden Age Auctions
Holland Family
Jones Street Investment Partners
Maich Family Foundation
Mallard Printing
Marsh McLennan Agency
The Memory Company/Pegasus Sports RSM
Walk Like a Duck Entertainment
Walker & Dunlop
BRONZE SPONSORS
Boston Global Investors
John and Stephanie Connaughton
Judy Pemberton Frodigh
Greg Gailius
Rob and Emily Goodrich Insperity
TABLE SPONSORS
Avison Young
Blue Hawk Investments
Boston Common Golf
Duffy Brent
Burns & Levinson LLP
CBIZ & MHM
Core Investments
Country Club Enterprises
The DGL Advisory Group at Moors & Cabot, Inc.
DSF Group
BANQUET CHAIR IN MEMORIAM BANQUET CO-CHAIRS
Susan J. Curtin
Greg Gailius
Alison Walshe
Peter A. Maich
Loomis, Sayles & Company, LP
Marshfield Country Club
The Mingle and MacLaughlan Families
Needham Bank
Norfolk & Dedham Group
Woodland Golf Club
William C. Foley
GCSANE/NEPGA
Paul & Chris Musto
NEGCOA
Robert Pierce
Dave Power
Sean C. Rush
Sullivan Group/Townsend Energy
Robert C. Trumbull
Student Speaker
NATE INGRAM
Nate Ingram is a senior at the University of Rhode Island. When his mother struggled with substance abuse during his early childhood, Nate lived with his father full-time beginning at age 9. Nate tragically lost his father to an aggressive form of skin cancer in 2019, but an opportunity to work at Boston Golf Club opened new doors for Nate to experience the stability and support he desperately needed during a time of grief and uncertainty.
Nate
Ingram
Nate will graduate from URI this Spring with a degree in finance and has already secured an opportunity to begin his professional career in Rhode Island. He looks forward to sharing his unique story and how working in golf has provided a chance for him to heal and move forward. Your support gives young men and women like Nate the opportunity to overcome life’s obstacles and pursue future success.
UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND, 2024
BOSTON GOLF CLUB AND BLACK ROCK COUNTRY CLUB
“The Ouimet Scholarship has given me the opportunity to continue my education at the college level. Without the generous donations to the Scholarship Fund, I would not have been able to attend URI due to financial reasons. I have met some of the most important people in my life here and I could not imagine my life without these experiences. Receiving this education has given me the boost in life to take me to the next level, and I owe it to working in golf and ultimately receiving the Ouimet Scholarship.”
TOGETHER, IT’S POSSIBLE
Valuing our communities is at the heart of all we do.
That’s why TJX strives to help vulnerable families and children access the resources and opportunities they need to build a better future.
Thank You To Our Many Supporting Clubs Across The State
The Ouimet Fund remains grateful for our tremendous partnerships with the clubs and courses throughout the state. For 75 years, our partner clubs have been eager to respond to the financial needs of the Scholars and their families as they attend college. At each club, our Ouimet Committees work with club staff to engage their fellow members and promote the scholarship opportunities to young people working in the game of golf. The club support adds up to nearly 30,000 individual donors across the state who are all incredibly important to the success of our young people.
A SPECIAL THANKS TO THE CLUBS IN ATTENDANCE:
Black Rock Country Club
Boston Golf Club
Brae Burn Country Club
Cape Cod National Golf Club
Charles River Country Club
Concord Country Club
Dedham Country and Polo Club
Eastward Ho!
Framingham Country Club
Hyannisport Club
Marshfield Country Club
Oakley Country Club
Pine Brook Country Club
Salem Country Club
The Bay Club at Mattapoisett
The Country Club
The Kittansett Club
The Ridge Club
The Weston Golf Club
Thorny Lea Golf Club
Wellesley Country Club
Winchester Country Club
Wollaston Golf Club
Woodland Golf Club
Woods Hole Golf Club
Worcester Country Club
Richard F. Connolly, Jr. Award For Distinguished Service
The annual Richard F. Connolly, Jr. Distinguished Service Award was established in 2000 in honor of Mr. Connolly, a Ouimet Scholarship Alumnus, Director, Trustee and former President who has proudly served the Ouimet Fund for over 40 years. Mr. Connolly is the embodiment of everything a Ouimet volunteer can be. For 40 years he has served as Chairman of the Francis Ouimet Memorial Tournament. He has also underwritten the production of the Richard F. Connolly, Sr. Trophy, the Ouimet Memorial’s permanent trophy that is one of the most unique in golf. Mr. Connolly has been the driving force in starting the Francis Ouimet Award for Lifelong Contributions to Golf and the Annual Banquet, and has personally been their principal sponsor every year. He has also established an endowed Ouimet Scholarship in his family’s name and helped The Fund in many other ways. Mr. Connolly was honored with the Ouimet Fund’s Spirit of Golf Award in 2008.
JIM BLUE
Jim Blue grew up in Newton, MA, the eighth of his parents’ nine children. He attended Catholic Memorial, a cherished part of Jim’s identity and personal growth as a young man. Following his graduation from Boston College, he began his career as an insurance agent at Prudential before joining and, soon after, transforming the Bostonian Group as owner and then being acquired by Marsh McLennan Agency. He is now the President of Alera Group, a national insurance and financial services firm.
Jim’s childhood as a caddie at Woodland Golf Club has undoubtedly contributed to his passion for the Ouimet mission and the Scholars. Annually, Jim, his firms, and his peers in the industry rally together through several Ouimet programs to make a significant financial impact on young men and women receiving the Scholarship. He has guided critical strategy decisions before, during, and since serving as Ouimet Fund President from 2017-2019. As a managing partner of Sacconnesset Golf Club, he has contributed to a club culture that prides itself on hiring young people, prioritizing youth caddies, and giving back to the community.
Jim is passionate about helping the less fortunate and has served on various community boards, including Rodman Ride for Kids, Boston Medical Center, Catholic Memorial, and Middlesex Human Services Association. The Ouimet Fund is grateful for his selfless and seemingly limitless energy to be an advocate for lifechanging opportunities. Jim lives in Westwood, MA, with his wife, Kris, and the couple of 30 years remains incredibly proud of their four adult children – Katie, Matt, Meghan, and Timothy.
RICHARD
F. CONNOLLY,
JR. DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
2000 Charles Fox
Dennett W. Goodrich
Mark Robinson
2001 Andrew Curcio
Wendell Fitch
Richard Stimets
2002 Raymond Faxon
2003 William C. Foley
2004 Walter E. Lankau, Jr.
2005 Peter Maich
2006 Mark Frost
2007 Thomas J. Martin, Sr.
2008 Anne Marie Tobin
2009 Timothy J. (Ted) Hansberry 2010 Peter S.
Special Thanks
Acushnet Company
Steven Aicardi
Black Rock Country Club
Boston College High School
Boston Golf Club
Cramer
Boomer Erick
Fashion Dynamics
Sheila Feeney
Golden Age Golf Auctions
Chris Hayes
LPGA
Mallard Printing
Kari & Dan O’Donnell
Pardo Photo
ProTag
Judy Rankin
Ryan Richards
San Jose Sports Authority
San Jose State Athletics
Tee Commerce
University of Rhode Island
USGA
Our Dedicated Volunteers
Scholarship Application Process
SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
CURRENT HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS OR FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
PERFORMED AT LEAST TWO YEARS OF SERVICE TO GOLF AT A GOLF COURSE IN MASSACHUSETTS SERVICE INCLUDES
BECOME A OUIMET SCHOLAR
1. Visit our website at Ouimet.org
• Caddies
• Course Superintendent Ops
• Pro Shop Attendant
• Bag Room
• Cart Barn
• “On-Course” Food & Beverage
How Are Financial Awards Determined?
• Ouimet Scholars are accepted on a merit-based application and interview process.
• The amount of a Scholar’s financial award is determined by personal financial need. The Ouimet Fund is able to analyze tuition costs, college grants, and the estimated family contribution through the submitted CSS and FAFSA forms.
• We believe that all accepted applicants have earned the proud distinction of being named a Ouimet Scholar. Honorary Ouimet Scholars do not display financial need for that year based on the above criteria, but we are pleased to offer each a “Book Award.”
• Ouimet Scholarships can be renewable for up to four years.
$3.25
Million Scholarships Awarded in 2023
$10,711 $750
Sustaining Lifetime Memberships
With this support level, Sustaining Lifetime Members are taking that next step with their personal generosity to impact Ouimet Scholars. This unrestricted gift will assist in increasing awards for Ouimet Scholars all across the state. This special donor group is one that we are proud to recognize and offer exclusive privileges to throughout the year.
Display your Ouimet pride with a personally engraved Lifetime Member bag tag and the latest apparel items.
Increase your business contacts and forge lifelong friends at Ouimet golf outings, hosted at top Massachusetts clubs.
Receive exclusive invitations to annual Ouimet events.
See your name prominently listed in the Annual Impact Report and other marketing materials.
STEPHANIE & DAVID GREANEY
are proud to support as the 2024 Annual Banquet Honoree! and congratulate JULI INKSTER
Named Endowed Scholarships
The Ouimet Fund’s Endowed Scholarship Program has become our cornerstone for growth. Named Endowed Scholarships are permanently restricted funds invested to ensure the existence of the scholarship in perpetuity. The program offers the donor the ability to tailor their gift and the resulting named award to suit their philanthropic goals.
Since 1991, the number of Named Endowed Scholarships invested with The Fund has grown from 5 to 191 awards. Named Endowed Scholarships fund 35% of the total annual Ouimet awards.
A unique quality of the Endowed Scholarship Program is that it permanently links the donor, honoree, or sponsoring organization with golf, Francis Ouimet, youth, and education. Every year, we are thrilled to communicate with the donors and/or honorees to let them know about the student(s) they are helping and what makes them worthy recipients. We often hear of the satisfaction they feel knowing they’ve made an additional difference in a young student’s life.
In June, The Fund held the 20th annual Investing in Lifetimes reception at Wellesley Country Club. This event is a highlight on the Ouimet calendar for endowment creators, Scholars, and Alumni, and allows donors to connect with the young men and women they specifically support. This year, a crowd of 200 heard from PGA TOUR winner Bryce Molder in a special Q&A session with emcee Patrick Sullivan.
City Program Expansion
Since 1996, The Fund has partnered with the City of Boston and its golf courses to provide oftentimes underserved communities or demographic groups the unique chance to earn a scholarship through service to golf. For 28 years, 175 Franklin Park and George Wright Scholars have benefited from this program and received $2,394,796 in Ouimet Scholarships. Demand for golf is up, and so is the request to be part of the program, which gives kids hands-on experience in maintaining and enhancing the golf courses. These young men and women work five days a week to elevate the golfer’s experience.
This year, participants worked at Franklin Park and at George Wright laying sod, filling divots, forecaddying for daily play, assisting The First Tee program, and engaging with their peers and mentor supervisors. Working in small groups, the participants take pride in their efforts and are learning valuable lessons that are transferrable to all sectors of their lives.
The Ouimet Fund’s Director of Scholarships, Michelle Edwards, attends the orientation at Franklin Park and George Wright annually, and in June she talked to students and parents about the Ouimet Scholarship opportunity. Over the last eight years, the number of Ouimet Scholars from the two sites has increased threefold, up to 32 Scholars this year. The Fund is proud of our growth and is eager to partner with local organizations and courses to bring more young men and women into working in the game.
Through2015,85 Scholars,Ouimetreceived $932,073
Through 2023, 175 Ouimet Scholars, received $2,394,796
Proud to be a catalyst for clean energy in the region and a partner in the communities we serve.
FRANCIS OUIMET SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Congratulations Juli Inkster and thank you for your many contributions to women's golf.
@OuimetScholarship
@ouimetfund
@ouimetfund
August 26 - September 1
Megan Khang
Denny Goodrich Young Alumni Reception
We thank the Goodrich Family for hosting this special gathering, which allows more than 100 young Ouimet Alumni to attend the event free of charge in honor of Denny. The late Denny Goodrich was a Board Member, past President, Endowment creator, and allaround champion of the Ouimet Fund! Denny is missed dearly by the Ouimet community, and his family created this opportunity knowing that Denny would like nothing more than to be right beside so many young Ouimet Alumni celebrating The Fund together.
We love and miss you Pop, Cheers!
Thank you to the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund for your commitment and dedication to the future of young people across the Commonwealth.
Congratulations to Juli Inkster, the 2024 Annual Banquet Honoree, for this special recognition.
Your friends and family at
Legacy
The Ouimet Fund Podcast
Launched in 2023, Legacy is the Ouimet Fund’s podcast. The Legacy Podcast features interviews with golf and business leaders, entrepreneurs, and philanthropists about the impact that golf and the Ouimet Fund have had on their lives. The Ouimet Fund is excited to release more episodes for Season Two this Spring.
Season 2, Episode 1 featuring tonight’s honoree!
We’re proud to support the Ouimet Fund and the futures of ambitious young men and women.
Congratulations all Ouimet Scholars and to Juli Inkster on receiving the Francis Ouimet Award for Lifelong Contributions to Golf.
The Holland Family
Congratulations to Juli Inkster for receiving the Francis O uimet Award for Lifelong Contributions to Golf!
Marsh McLennan Agency is proud to sponsor Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund and their mission to help deserving young men and women, who have worked at golf courses in Massachusetts, obtain a college education. See how we can help you thrive at MarshMMA.com
proudly supports
BOSTON DEBT TEAM
ROBERT E. GRIFFIN, JR. Robert.Griffin@nmrk.com
DAVID M. DOUVADJIAN, SR. David.DouvadjianSR@nmrk.com
TIMOTHY O’DONNELL Timothy.ODonnell@nmrk.com
DAVID M. DOUVADJIAN, JR. David.DouvadjianJR@nmrk.com
CONOR REENSTIERNA Conor.Reenstierna@nmrk.com HARRISON ZUCCO Harrison.Zucco@nmrk.com
AMANDA LOPEZ VERNON Amanda.LopezVernon@nmrk.com and their mission to help deserving young men and women obtain a college education
BOBBY ALVARADO Bobby.Alvarado@nmrk.com
Privileged to support Ouimet Scholars past, present and future on an evening recognizing Juli Inkster’s illustrious career and celebrating the achievements of so many young men and women in the books, in the community and on the course!
2023 Award Winners
OUIMET GOLF PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
The 2023 recipient is Glenn Kelly, Head Professional at Woods Hole Golf Club. Glenn is a former Ouimet Scholarship recipient who was hired by the Club in 1985. Each year, Glenn has had direct involvement in his membership’s activity in the Bag Tag program, Golf Sprint and Annual Banquet. On top of the countless life lessons he has imparted, Glenn has helped guide more than 50 young workers to receive more than $300,000 in awards. At our fall golf outing at Kernwood Country Club, The Fund was able to celebrate Glenn’s 38 years of advocacy of our mission, the importance of youth caddies/golf employees at Woods Hole.
OUIMET CHAIR OF THE YEAR
The 2023 recipients are Chip and Rick Goode of Weston Golf Club. Chip has served in this role since 2017, and in 2021 was joined by his son Rick to help continue the fantastic partnership the Ouimet Fund enjoys with the club. Through their leadership, Weston Golf Club has increased their Bag Tag donation level and increased the number of Ouimet Scholarship applicants from the club each of the last three years. The Ouimet Fund is grateful for Chip and Rick’s personal enthusiasm and generosity to help the Scholars more and more each year and recognized their efforts at the Club Leadership golf outing to kick off the 2023 season.
ROBERT P. Mc DONALD ALUMNI AWARD
Rick Spillane was recognized at the annual Investing in Lifetimes Reception as the 2023 recipient of the Robert P. McDonald Alumni Award. Rick is a former Anders caddie from The Country Club who attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on a Ouimet Scholarship and went on to spend 40 years in the investment management business. Rick has supported the Ouimet Fund and the Scholars for the past 30 years in all three categories of “time, talent, and treasure.” The Ouimet Fund is honored to recognize Rick’s incredible contributions and appreciate all he has done to inspire the next generation of Ouimet Scholars.
DENNY GOODRICH AWARD
Robert P. Donovan was recognized with the 2023 Denny Goodrich Honorary Alumnus Award for his countless contributions to the organization over the years. As a leader of this organization for 29 years as Executive Director, Bob guided the organization through many special chapters of growth and innovation. His accomplishments include the development of The Fund’s Endowed Scholarship Program, which now exceeds 190 endowed funds. He also executed and led the expansion of The Fund’s distinctive Annual Banquet.
JIM BLUE PRESIDENT, ALERA GROUP
The John D. Mineck Foundation & Boston Golf Club are proud to honor both:
John Mineck Endowed Scholar
Juli Inkster, LPGA Tour For all her outstanding contributions to the game!
Congratulations to Juli Inkster on receiving the Francis Ouimet Award for Lifelong Contributions to Golf.
