College Scholarships for Kids Who Work in Golf
Ouimet Fund Newsletter
Spring 2019
Student Speaker Anna Hurley ‘20 Leaves Crowd Speechless at Ouimet Banquet On April 11, the Ouimet Fund was thrilled to honor Johnny Miller with the 2019 Francis Ouimet Award for Lifelong Contributions to Golf. Johnny is a two-time major champion & 25-time PGA TOUR winner who also famously spent 25 years in the golf broadcast booth for NBC. It was an energetic and impactful event, which saw a sold-out crowd of over 1,200 celebrate the Ouimet mission and the beginning of the golf season in Boston. Perhaps no one had a better evening than Student Speaker Anna Hurley ‘20, a junior at St. Michael’s College. Hurley’s speech was the first time she had spoken about her battle with epilepsy to such a large audience, and attendees left the room in awe of her story, and Anna later received a fantastic surprise of her own. OVERCOMING A MAJOR OBSTACLE Anna is an impressive young woman who has juggled a Psychology Major, a Business Minor, and playing goalie for the St. Michael’s field hockey team – not to mention being involved in various other organizations at St. Michael’s. One organization of great importance to Anna is called Hope Happens Here, which promotes productive discussion about mental health. Anna understands this on a personal level and hopes to continue helping others who may face similar challenges. Anna has not let her epilepsy define her, despite having seizures disrupt her daily life since age 12. Through a terrific support system and team of doctors, she is committed to ensuring this condition does not dictate her future. A longtime employee of The Ridge Club, Anna spoke about how she loved working there and how everyone treated her equally as a caddie and in the cart barn. She effusively thanked her boss at The Ridge Club, Bob Travers, for always seeing her for her work ethic and dependability, not her gender or medical history. Anna proudly stated, “I can do anything the boys can do.” REACTION TO SURPRISE ANNOUNCEMENT Following Anna’s speech, Ouimet President Jim Blue announced that because of the donations received during the Banquet, Anna’s senior year Ouimet Scholarship would cover 100% of her financial need - which left Anna, her family, and the entire crowd extremely emotional. This had never been done before and The Fund was proud to be able to support the 2019 Student Speaker this way. The night-of generosity was incredible, and we hope to be able to establish this as a new tradition. Congratulations on a great speech and all your achievements, Anna!
Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund
Spring 2019
Fund Focuses on Networking Opportunities for Scholars, Alumni Beginning in the fall of 2018 the Ouimet Fund has expanded its focus on Scholar and Alumni networking events, and with the help of Ouimet Alumnus Joe O’Malley ’04 (General Manager of Faneuil Hall Marketplace) a great location was reserved right in the city to host our first Ouimet Networking Reception. The turnout was even better than expected, as dozens of Ouimet Scholars, Alumni & donors showed up to meet their fellow members of the Ouimet community. A SUCCESSFUL CONNECTION One of the highlights of the evening came to light a few weeks after the event. Senior Ouimet Scholar, Matt Brazel ‘19, met Ouimet Alumnus Heinz Brinkhaus ’13, and the two connected over their mutual Babson College connection and love of hockey. “You can’t make this stuff up,” Brazel described, “but I almost didn’t go that night. I was exhausted from hockey practice, but I told myself ‘Just go, you never know what will happen.’” As it turns out, he was right. They introduced themselves while in the buffet line and started to chat. Brinkhaus, a graduate of UMass-Amherst and Babson College graduate school, made an immediate connection with Matt. “I realized we work in the same industry, and I wanted to help him out. Being a Ouimet Scholar is an honor, but I have always thought that with the Heinz Brinkhaus ’13 (left) and Matt Brazel ’19 honor comes a responsibility to pay it forward to younger Scholars.” Heinz made a few calls on Matt’s behalf, and within a week Brazel had an interview for a position with Dell-EMC. “Shortly after, when Matt called to let me know he was hired full-time, I think I was just as excited as him. It really feels good to be able to help someone out like that, especially someone with whom you have this special connection. That’s what being a Ouimet Alumnus is all about.” MORE EVENTS COMING After the success of the first event, Ouimet Alumni Committee members hosted a second evening in Boston in January 2019, as well as an event at UMass Lowell in February. Two more are in the works, one at UMass Amherst in late April, and one in Providence in early May. Ouimet staff is working to explore ways to tap into the strong Alumni pride to benefit the current Scholars. Plans are underway to hold the first annual Ouimet Career Fair in the Fall of 2019, specifically for Ouimet Scholars and Alumni. With the Ouimet Fund’s broad base of Alumni, donors and supporters, The Fund could create networking opportunities that could give Scholars a real leg up in the competitive job market. Stay tuned!
$1,500,000
$1,600,000
$1,700,000
$1,850,000
$2,000,000
$2,200,000
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
314
333
394
452
490
457
Total Scholars
Total Scholars
Total Scholars
Total Scholars
Total Scholars
Total Scholars
Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund
Spring 2019
Johnny Miller and New Scholarship Announcements Kickoff 2019 On April 11th, Johnny Miller was the guest speaker and honored with the 22nd Francis Ouimet Award at the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund’s 69th Annual Banquet, which remains the largest annual golf dinner in America. MILLER, HURLEY & RIORDAN HIGHLIGHT RECORD NIGHT “We were so excited to have this year’s honoree be the legendary Johnny Miller,” said Jim Blue, Ouimet Fund President. “Johnny has been a champion in the golf world for nearly 60 years, and to be able to honor him with the Ouimet Award just two months following his booth retirement was a night our crowd won’t soon forget.” As the central event in the Ouimet Fund’s fundraising calendar, the dinner set the stage for another dramatic increase in need-based awards for 2019-20. Mr. Blue announced that the goal for the fall is $2.5 Million in scholarship assistance – which would relieve approximately 50% of the total unmet financial need of the 400+ Ouimet Scholars! ANOTHER SCHOLARSHIP SURPRISE Banquet attendees were treated to an emotional conversation between Johnny and his longtime broadcast partner at NBC, Dan Hicks, during the “fireside” chat portion of the Banquet covering family, golf and giving back. Events preceding this segment of the evening were nearly as exciting, as the crowd was treated to a rousing standing ovation for both Anna Hurley ’20, (see pg. 1), and 2019 Connolly Award winner Tom Riordan ’70. Tom, a Ouimet Alumnus, Board member and lifelong supporter of The Fund, received this prestigious award with nearly 200 of his closest family, friends and business associates cheering him on. He spoke movingly about what the award, and a lifetime of connection to the Ouimet Fund, has meant to him. Mr. Blue also added a surprise announcement for Tom, letting him know that the board plans to create a permanently endowed scholarship in his name using a portion of the proceeds from the Banquet. An incredibly deserving honor for such a committed advocate for the Ouimet Fund.
Ouimet Fund Transitions to Ouimet Committees at Clubs
Video Launch of Committee Program
For many years, the responsibility of promoting Ouimet programs, along with promoting the scholarship opportunities to potential Scholars, fell on the shoulders of just one volunteer “Ouimet Chair” at each supporting club. These dedicated volunteers take on many responsibilities annually, mainly in terms of communication with their fellow members and Ouimet Scholars. In response to increased scholarship applications and requests from individuals looking to become more involved, the Ouimet Fund has begun rolling out a program to support our Ouimet Chairs by transitioning to a “Ouimet Committee” at each club. This will expand the group of committed volunteers with the goal of increasing engagement and participation at each of our clubs.
MANY WAYS TO HELP The Ouimet Fund and its more than 6,000 Scholars and Alumni are grateful for our many supporting clubs across Massachusetts. Over 80 clubs annually support our Bag Tag Program, which serves as the cornerstone for Ouimet fundraising. Along with this tremendous support, many clubs choose to become involved with other Ouimet programs including the Golf Marathon, Annual Banquet, Lifetime Membership, Golf Outings and the Endowed Scholarship Program. “Ouimet Committee members can share the duties of Scholar Recruitment, Bag Tag/Marathon fundraising, introduction of individual donors and ongoing Club Communications.” said Duncan Gratton, Ouimet Director and Club Relations Chair. “The Ouimet Fund’s volunteer Club Relations Committee, along with the staff, will work with clubs on an individual level to ensure seamless transition into the new committee model.” For more information on how you can join the Ouimet Committee at your club or support their efforts, please contact a member of the Ouimet Fund staff.
300 Arnold Palmer Boulevard Norton, MA 02766
Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund
Spring 2019
Senior Class Highlights Record 2019 Giving for Alumni Fund The Fund is thrilled to announce a record year of Alumni Fund donations, which featured the Class of 2019 participating in the Green & White Society in record numbers. The Green & White Society, the ALUMNI Ouimet Fund’s Senior Class Giving Program, offers Scholars the opportunity to begin paying it forward with their first Alumni donation. They were asked this past winter to consider donating in celebration of their graduation and begin giving back to an organization which supported them during their college years. “I’ve been a Ouimet Scholar for my whole college career, and the opportunities that this Fund has given me are incredible,” said Nick Eliopolous, a 2019 Westfield State University graduate and former employee of Essex County Club. “Between scholarships, networking, and building my intellectual character around the game of golf, I am happy to donate and become a member of the Green and White Society.” Nick is not alone in that opinion, as more than 62 Scholars in this year’s graduating class have already made their gift, accounting for over 50% of senior Scholars. “The Ouimet Scholarship has had such a great impact on me as a person, golfer and student,” described Nicholas Morgan ‘19 of Bentley University and Wayland Country Club. “As a member of the Ouimet Fund, I’m more than happy to donate back and hope it helps future Scholars achieve their goals. With the help of The Fund, I’ve been able to achieve major milestones both on and off the golf course. ” The Ouimet Alumni Fund had another record year for donations in 2019, and total annual Alumni gifts have more than doubled in the last three years. Donations from Ouimet Alumni are a huge part of our ability to increase scholarships, and we couldn’t be more grateful for our Alumni community. We are thrilled to include the senior class into our Alumni family soon!