Timeline :: 1989 - 1998
1989
The Ouimet Fund tops $5 Million in scholarships as it awards $206,500 to 207 scholars.
The American Junior Golf Association’s new trophy for low scoring average is named, “The Francis Ouimet Trophy.” The first winners are David Duval and Vickie Goetze.
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1990
The Par Club adds a “Husband and Wife” Division.
Long-time chairman Richard F. Connolly, Jr. donates the unique Francis Ouimet Memorial Tournament Trophy (above) which is named after his father, Richard F. Connolly, Sr., who died in 1991.
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1991
The Ouimet Fund adopts a new logo and changes its name to the “Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund” to emphasize that the scholarships are for all young people who work in golf, not just caddies.
The Ouimet Fund expands its alumni program including hosting the first of several annual alumni outings.
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1992
The Ouimet Fund tops $6 Million in scholarships as it awards $330,000 to 213 scholars.
The Par Club is renamed “The Francis Ouimet Society.” Ouimet Fund President Denny Goodrich presents the first honorary membership to The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in a ceremony at the R&A Clubhouse. The presentation plaque is hung beneath the portrait of Ouimet in the Red Jacket. The new Ouimet Society offers a broad range of membership programs .
The Guy Tedesco Scholarship joins The Ouimet Fund.
Jack Kearney wins the 25th Ouimet Memorial Tournament enroute to earning the MGA “Player of the Year” Trophy.
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1993
The Ouimet Fund celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Francis Ouimet in several ways:
The Fund sets a new record with $370,000 in scholarships for 239 scholars.
The Fund develops a special brochure celebrating the life of Francis Ouimet.
The anniversary year is kicked off with a cake cutting ceremony at the Annual Banquet featuring Mr. Ouimet’s daughters, the Ouimet Fund President and the student speaker. Famed golf writer Herbert Warren Wind also speaks about Ouimet at a Ouimet Society outing.
The Duxbury/Ouimet Invitational Tournament is first held on Saturday, May 9, exactly 100 years after Ouimet’s birth. Players are limited to using just eight clubs and many dress in knickers. The event was held for 13 years.
The Ouimet Marathon is first held at Stow Acres Country Club. The unique event raises $120,000 in its first year and John Gralton of Concord is the first total-holes champ with 212 holes. The Ouimet Marathon is the leading fundraising Golf Marathon in the U.S .
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1994
The Ouimet Fund develops a new bag tag called “The Booster Tag” for public golf courses.
The Ouimet Fund develops a 30 second television public service announcement which shows all the jobs Ouimet scholars perform.
The Ouimet Marathon raises $125,000 and Mark Robinson of Pine Brook participates for the first time and starts a stretch of years as leading fundraiser.
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1995
The USGA selects the image of Francis Ouimet and Eddie Lowery as its Centennial Logo. Ouimet President Dick Stimets presents USGA Executive Director David Fay with a special plaque and poem about Ouimet to commemorate the event.
Ouimet Alumnus Peter Lynch is the guest speaker at the Annual Banquet.
The Ouimet Fund starts a two year experiment with a “Booster Tag Tournament” to help sell tags at public courses. The first tournament is held at Winchester Country Club.
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1996
The Fund develops a special caddie training video and brochure.
The Ouimet Fund enters into a unique collaboration with the Black & White on Green Foundation, the City of Boston, and other groups to develop Inner-City Ouimet Scholars through a special Franklin Park Caddie Scholars Program at Boston golf courses.
Two new Endowed Scholarships are established.
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1997
Ouimet Alum Richard F. Connolly, Jr. arranges for his client and friend Arnold Palmer to be the guest speaker and recipient of the first “Francis Ouimet Award for Lifelong Contributions to Golf” award at the Ouimet Annual Banquet. A total of 1,400 guests attended the function which sets New England attendance and fundraising records. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino is Honorary Chairman. Mr. Connolly and his company Paine Webber were presenting sponsors, and his companies have continued to be presenting sponsors at subsequent banquets. A Permanent scholarship is created in the name of Deacon Palmer, Arnold Palmer’s father, from the proceeds of the event.
Perennial contender Joe Keller of Oyster Harbors wins the 30th Francis Ouimet Memorial Tournament.
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1998
The Ouimet Fund adopts the image of Messrs. Ouimet and Lowery in its new logo.
The Ouimet Fund has sixth straight record year as it awards $650,000 in scholarships to 282 students.
The Fund awards its second “Francis Ouimet Award for Lifelong Contributions to Golf” to Gene Sarazen at Annual Banquet and former Sports Illustrated publisher Mark Mulvoy is guest speaker.
The Fund starts a major new endowed scholarship campaign. o Nine new endowed scholarships are established, including The Eddie Lowery Award for top caddie.
Frank Vana, Jr. wins the Francis Ouimet Memorial after finishing runner-up three times. Richard F. Connolly, Jr. is honored for 20 years of service as Tournament Chairman and the tournament adds a junior division.
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1949-1958 | 1959-1968 | 1969-1978 | 1979-1988 | 1989-1998 | 1999-2008