15th OUIMET GOLF MARATHON ONE OF BEST EVER
STOW, MA. -The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund’s celebrated its 15th Golf Marathon on Wednesday with one of its top fundraising totals, a spectacular “repeat” hole-in-one, an amazing performance by an 11 year old, and the event cracked the $3 Million cumulative total in fundraising in 15 years. The Marathon was played, as always, at Stow Acres Country Club’s South Course.
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click photo for larger image Marathoners gather at 6:30 AM during the opening ceremony. |
The event raised a total of $285,900 and the 2007 Ouimet Marathon, which is believed to be the highest fundraising Marathon in the US this year, brought to $3.1 Million raised since the event’s inception in 1993.
“We’re thrilled with the great day and celebration of 15 years of The Marathon. We
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| TV4 shoots the action as another player tees off for The Ouimet Fund. |
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| 11 year old Cam Giles takes a break from 130 holes with his mom and dad, Karen and Mike Giles. |
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| Two golfers hit together to speed things up. |
started honoring Walt Lankau, our Stow Acres host, and saw great efforts and fundraising. I congratulate and thank all the players, fundraisers and donors who made this possible,” said Ted Highberger, Ouimet Fund President.
Assistant Pro Tim Watroba of the Oyster Harbors Club completed 110 holes with $22,000 in fundraising to lead all of the 42 clubs, organizations and individuals participating. Oyster Harbors has been the leading club for the past five years and in the top two clubs since the inception of the event. John Buddenhagen, an assistant pro, at The Country Club, was close behind in second at $18,000. Doug Snow of Kittansett won the total holes competition with 201 holes played.
Chris Pawlyk, a 28 year old assistant pro at Kerwood, established one of the great rarities in golf. The Haverhill resident aced the 292 yard par four 13th hole, the same hole he aced in last ‘year’s event. The successive year double eagles are the only double eagles in the 15 year history of the event. Cam Giles, an 11 year old, played 131 holes which included 48 pars and four birdies. Giles is the grandson of Stow Acres owner Walt Lankau and son of Stow Acres Director of Golf Mike Giles.
Sixty-seven year old Oscar Goings of Winchester broke his own record as the oldest man to complete the Marathon. Mr. Goings is the long-time Winchester Country Club caddie master. This is his fifth time in the Ouimet Marathon. Mr. Goings was inducted in the Caddie Hall of Fame in 2005.
Jim Noris of Dedham was low pro at 18 under par. The golf scoring is based on 100 holes of play. He went on to play 152 holes. Ouimet Scholar Kris Hart, representing Bass River and Bayberry Hills, was low amateur at two over par. Greg Simeone of The Harmon Club won low net at 26 under par.
The men’s longest drive winner was Dave McAdams of Framingham.
The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund was founded in 1949 and since that time has awarded $17.4 Million to students who have worked at least two years in service to golf in Massachusetts. Ouimet Scholars work as caddies or in the pro shop or course superintendent operations. The scholarship is a four year renewable award and is need and merit based. In 2007-2008, The Fund will award at least $1.3 Million to approximately 320 students. Over 4,400 students have received Ouimet Scholarships since the 1949 founding, with many going onto outstanding positions of leadership in business and professional careers. The Ouimet Fund is the largest independent scholarship in New England and the 2nd largest “caddie fund” in the U.S. It is a 501 ( c) (3) organization and is considered the Golf Charity of Massachusetts.
2007 TOP TEN FUNDRAISING CLUBS |
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| CLUB | PLAYER | TOTAL HOLES |
FUNDRAISER |
TOTAL |
| Oyster Harbors | Tim Watroba | 110 |
Rick Stimets |
$22,550 |
| The Country Club | Jon Buddenhagan | 153 |
Jon Buddenhagan |
$20,107 |
| New Seabury | Mike Carroll | 150 |
Mike Carroll | $17,000 |
| Brae Burn | Phil Psaros | 162 |
Phil Psaros |
$16,295 |
| Oakley | Ed McMellen | 125 |
Dan Doyle |
$14,838 |
| Cape Cod Natl. | Jim Campbell/ Matt Walsh | 192 |
Bill Storff |
$14,096 |
| Tedesco | Mike Zmetrovich | 139 |
Mike Zmetrovich |
$14,080 |
| Salem | Lauren/Megan McCarthy | 101 |
Brian McCarthy |
$14,040 |
| Belmont | John Fields | 100 |
Milt Yanofsky |
$13,000 |
| Dedham | Jim Noris | 152 |
Jim Noris |
$13,000 |
GOLF PRIZES
LOW PRO
Jim Noris, Dedham -18
Low Gross Amateur
Kris Hart, Bass River / Bayberry Hills +2
Low Net Amateur
Greg Simeone, Harmon Club -26
Long Drive Men
Dave McAdams, Framingham -30