Francis Ouimet was the son of poor immigrants who grew up across the street from The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was a caddie, and largely self-taught. In 1913, he recorded what many consider the most important upset in sports history. As an unknown 20-year-old amateur, he beat the best two professionals in the world- Britons Harry Vardon and Ted Ray, in an 18-hole playoff to win the U.S. Open.
The upset became worldwide news and helped kickoff a tremendous period of growth and change in golf which, in many ways, continues today. Ouimet is considered one of golf’s great pioneers, has been called the ‘father of American golf,’ is one of the original four members of the Golf Hall of Fame, and has been honored and revered for his play, as well as his sportsmanship and gentlemanly and humble personality.
One hundred years after Ouimet’s upset, it is looked back upon as the moment American golf was, in many ways, born. Mr. Ouimet went on to a great record in amateur golf.
The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund was founded in 1949 is a 501 (c) (3) organization. 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. They provide need based undergraduate scholarships which are renewable and can be worth up to $10,000-$40,000 (or more) for four years. The Ouimet Fund is the largest independent scholarship fund in New England.
The Francis ouimet Scholarship Fund is committed to providing need and merit-based scholarship aid to students who have demonstrated a strong work ethic by having completed at least two years of service to golf. The Ouimet Fund rewards accomplishment through the competitive, renewable award. The Fund is dedicated to providing the golfing community with an opportunity to “give back to golf” and society by assisting youth in furthering their education. The Fund also seeks to preserve the historu of Francis Ouimet’s contributions to American golf.
The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund promotes the character building aspects of golf in the tradition of Francis Ouimet. The Fund is unique among golf charities with great potential for growth through support from alumni, volunteer leadership and the golfing community. The Fund is dedicated to fostering growth of the caddie programs throughout the region thereby , broadening the scope of scholars to create a more diverse group of scholars and alumni. Opportunities are plentiful for Trustees, Board members and volunteer leaders to participate and become involved in activities that will move the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund to a greater level of financial assistance for Ouimet Scholars.
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