The legacy of Francis Ouimet
History
About The Fund
The Ouimet Fund’s purpose is to help deserving young men and women, who have worked at golf courses in Massachusetts, obtain a college education. We provide need-based college scholarships, which are renewable and worth an average of $30,000 over the course of four years, with some students receiving as much as $80,000.
Since 1949, The Fund has awarded $53.4 million in need-based scholarships to nearly 7,000 deserving men and women across the state. Ouimet Scholars excel in the classroom, graduating at a 91% rate and achieving a 3.4 collective GPA.
The Ouimet Fund is the largest independent scholarship fund in New England, and works to enhance the legacy of Mr. Ouimet by growing the scholarship fund he loved so dearly.
About Francis Ouimet
Francis Ouimet was a relatively unknown 20-year-old amateur and former caddie when he defeated Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in a playoff at the 1913 U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. Ouimet grew up in a modest home across the street from the 17th hole at TCC and was self-taught, learning to play in his backyard.
Prior to his victory, golf was dominated by the British. There were very few players in America, virtually no public courses, and the game was confined mostly to the wealthy or elite. Ouimet’s victory changed all of that. His victory and unlikely background combined to create an inspirational moment. Within 10 years, the number of American players had tripled and many new courses were built, including public courses.
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Another seminal moment in golf occurred just before the start of the 1913 U.S. Open playoff. Ouimet turned down the offer of an experienced TCC member who wished to caddie for him, deciding instead to stick with 10-year-old Eddie Lowery. The photo of Ouimet and Lowery walking down the fairway together is one of the most famous in golf history, and symbolizes Ouimet’s great victory and kindness to young people. As one of golf’s most enduring images, it was selected by the United States Golf Association as the logo for its own Centennial celebration.
Ouimet went on to enjoy a distinguished amateur golf career, winning the U.S. Amateur in 1914 and 1931. He also played on the first eight Walker Cup teams and was Captain of the next four, compiling an 11-1 team record. Revered as a golfing goodwill ambassador, he became the first American elected Captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in 1951.
Francis Ouimet is one of the most celebrated players in golf history. He has been named to every golf Hall of Fame, has a room named after him in the USGA Museum, and is also one of only four golfers to have a USPS commemorative stamp issued in his name. The 1963 and 1988 U.S. Opens at The Country Club celebrated the 50th and 75th anniversaries of his dramatic victory. The U.S. Senior Open Trophy is also named after him, as are several others around the country.
Beginning in 1997 with inaugural recipient Arnold Palmer, the Ouimet Fund began recognizing golf’s greats with the Francis Ouimet Award for Lifelong Contributions to Golf at its Annual Banquet.
Ouimet Timeline
1913
1913
1913 | In a stunning play-off upset over Harry Vardon & Ted Ray, considered the top two players in the world, Ouimet’s U.S. Open victory at The Country Club propels golf into a mainstream American sport.
1949
1949
1949 | The Ouimet Fund is founded by friends of Francis Ouimet and the Massachusetts Golf Association, and 13 Scholars receive $4,600 in tuition assistance.
1953
1953
1953 | President Dwight Eisenhower paints a “Red Jacket” portrait of Francis Ouimet, which is placed in a cottage at Augusta National Golf Club and later goes to the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
1955
1955
1955 | Massachusetts golfers begin buying Ouimet Fund “Bag Tags” to support the fundraising and scholarship efforts of the Ouimet Fund, and the first tag is presented to President Dwight Eisenhower. Also, Francis Ouimet is awarded the USGA’s first Bobby Jones Award in recognition of “Distinguished Sportsmanship in Golf.”
1963
1963
1963 | The 15th anniversary of The Fund is recognized in a few ways, mainly at the U.S. Open, held at The Country Club honoring the 50th anniversary of Ouimet’s legendary 1913 U.S. Open victory.
1988
1988
1988 | The 40th anniversary of the founding of The Fund also marks the 75th anniversary of Francis Ouimet’s 1913 U.S. Open victory. The two events are commemorated in several ways, mainly during that year’s U.S. Open, held at The Country Club. The U.S.P.S. issues a commemorative Francis Ouimet Stamp, a unique honor that few have received.
1993
1993
1993 | The first Ouimet Golf Marathon is held at Stow Acres Country Club, raising $120,000 in its first year. This event remains critical to The Fund’s ability to award scholarships, and more than $7 million has been raised since its inception. The Ouimet Golf Marathon continues to be the leading fundraising Golf Marathon in the United States.
1997
1997
1997 | Ouimet Alum Richard F. Connolly, Jr. arranges for Arnold Palmer to be the guest speaker and recipient of the first Francis Ouimet Award for Lifelong Contributions to Golf at the Annual Banquet. A total of 1,400 guests attend the function, proving to be a resounding success and marked the creation of the most impactful annual event on The Fund’s calendar.
2002
2002
2002 | Mark Frost’s book The Greatest Game Ever Played is released and brings renewed interest to Ouimet’s incredible story nationwide. The Fund moves its offices to the William F. Connell Golf House at TPC Boston.
2005
2005
2005 | The Ouimet Fund sets scholarship records, awarding $1 million to 362 Scholars. Mark Frost’s book The Greatest Game Ever Played is turned into a Disney movie, and the premiere is held in North Attleboro, MA with receptions at the nearby TPC Boston clubhouse and William F. Connell Golf House.
2013
2013
2013 | A yearlong celebration commemorating the 100th anniversary of Ouimet’s legendary U.S. Open victory begins. The Centennial Celebration including many special events, including special recognition of “Ouimet Day” in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a Boston Harbor photo shoot featuring Arnold Palmer, and the largest Annual Banquet ever. The Centennial Banquet honored Francis Ouimet and featured Arnold Palmer, Peter Jacobsen, Mark Frost, Bill Paxton, and Rich Lerner.
2019
2019
2019 | The Fund celebrates its 70th anniversary and sets new scholarship records with $2.5 million awarded to 468 Scholars. The Fund also launched its newest program, the Ouimet Career Fair, which drew more than 30 companies and corporate partners and was open to all Ouimet Scholars & Alumni to assist with career development.
