
- 19131913
- 19491949
- 19531953
- 19551955
- 19631963
- 19881988
- 19931993
- 19971997
- 20022002
- 20052005
- 20132013
- 20192019
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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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.