A sellout crowd attended the 2026 Ouimet Annual Banquet at the Omni Boston Seaport in April to honor 7-time major champion Karrie Webb.
America's Largest Golf Dinner
2026 Ouimet Annual Banquet
A sold out crowd of 1,400 guests packed the ballroom at the Omni Boston Seaport on April 27 as the Ouimet Fund honored World Golf Hall of Famer Karrie Webb with the 2026 Francis Ouimet Award for Lifelong Contributions to Golf.
Guests enjoyed a fireside chat with Webb, moderated by her Australian friend Ian Baker-Finch, a former Open champion and one of the most respected voices in the game. Student Speaker Kevin Padron ’27 received a standing ovation following his speech about the impact of The Fund and Wellesley Country Club in making college a reality for his family.
Thank you to our many generous sponsors and donors for another incredible evening at America’s Largest Golf Dinner!
Banquet Honoree Karrie Webb
One of the most accomplished and respected players in the history of the sport, Karrie Webb is the only individual to complete the Career Super Grand Slam by winning all five majors in women’s professional golf.
Webb ranks top-10 in LPGA history in both career victories (41) and majors (7), including back-to-back U.S. Open titles in 2000 and 2001. She was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2005 at the age of 30, the youngest player ever to earn induction at the time.
Born in Queensland, Australia, Webb burst onto the scene in 1996 by winning the LPGA Rookie of the Year Award and becoming the first LPGA player to surpass $1 million in single-season earnings. She would top the LPGA Tour’s money list on two other occasions (1999 and 2000), earning LPGA Tour Player of the Year honors following both seasons.
Webb now focuses on golf course architecture and a range of charitable endeavors. Her philanthropic work includes support of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which advances initiatives for individuals impacted by paralysis, the Karrie Webb Scholarship Series, created to grow the game for Australian women and girls, and she serves as an official Ambassador for the Special Olympics and its 2026 USA Games.
She was also honored as an Officer of the Order of Australia for her distinguished service as a player, role model, and mentor.
Student Speaker Kevin Padron ’27
Kevin Padron was born in Mexico and spent his early childhood with his grandparents while his parents worked tirelessly in the United States to build a better life for their family. The distance was a sacrifice made out of hope that their hard work would lead to opportunities for Kevin that they never had.
When Kevin eventually reunited with his parents in the U.S., his father Roberto had started from the ground up, working as a dishwasher at Wellesley Country Club. It was Roberto who introduced his son to the idea of becoming a caddie, a chance not only to earn money, but to enter a world that could shape his future.
With no prior knowledge of golf, Kevin embraced the responsibility with maturity beyond his years. What began as a way to help support his family became a pathway to growth, mentorship, and possibility. On the course, he learned valuable lessons in discipline and resilience, while gaining the confidence to come out of his shell.
Kevin was honored as Wellesley’s 2025 Caddie of the Year and is the first member of his family to attend college. He is a junior studying criminal justice and business at Worcester State University.
He was surprised by Ouimet Fund President Kevin MacLaughlan with an additional Ouimet Scholarship that covers his remaining unmet financial need for the academic year.
Richard F. Connolly, Jr. Award Recipient Brendan Walsh
This year’s Connolly Award recipient is Brendan Walsh, a familiar and highly respected presence in the Ouimet community and across the country. Brendan spent nearly three decades supporting young people as the Director of Golf at The Country Club.
Known for his kindness, integrity, and deep love of the game, Brendan has long been a champion of the Ouimet Fund and the opportunities it provides to young people working in golf. He has dedicated countless hours to mentoring the next generation, offering not only career guidance but life wisdom that extends far beyond the golf course.
Over the 28 years of his tenure, nearly 100 Ouimet Scholars have benefited from his mentorship at The Country Club. We thank Brendan for his tireless and longstanding efforts!
Colin McGuire
Ouimet Fund Executive Director
Kevin MacLaughlan
Ouimet Fund President
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