Archived News & Events
3/31/09
Ouimet Fund Announces 2009 Annual Banquet Speaker - Tom Watson to be awarded 14th Lifelong Contributions to Golf Award
The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund is pleased to announce that Tom Watson will be awarded the 14th Lifelong Contributions to Golf Award on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at the 60th Annual Banquet at the Boston Marriott Copley Place in Boston, MA.
“It is great to have Mr. Watson follow such golf legends as Gary Player, Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, Greg Norman, and Arnold Palmer” says Ouimet Fund President Rich Barrett, “and we are thrilled to honor Mr. Watson with our highest award.” Mr. Watson is truly one of the biggest legends in the history of the game of golf. A winner of eight major titles, including five British Open Championships, two Masters, and one U.S. Open, his play around the world speaks for itself. Known for epic battles with Jack Nicklaus in the British Open at Turnberry in 1977 and the US Open at Pebble Beach in 1982, he was involved in some of the greatest moments in golf history.
Mr. Watson has continued to excel on the Champions Tour, winning 12 Tournaments, including 5 Senior majors. Mr. Watson was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1988, and the year before that was given the Bob Jones Award by the USGA, their highest honor, given for outstanding sportsmanship. Francis Ouimet was given the same award in 1955 as the inaugural recipient. The Fund is extremely proud and excited to honor Mr. Watson with this award in our 60th year, and we hope you will be able to join us for what should be a wonderful evening.
The Ouimet Fund began the Lifelong Contributions to Golf Award in 1997 by honoring Arnold Palmer as the inaugural recipient. Since then, the Fund has honored such greats as Gene Sarazen, Ben Crenshaw, Curtis Strange, Ken Venturi, Eddie Lowery, Fmr. President George H. W. Bush, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Nancy Lopez, Greg Norman, Peter Jacobsen, Barbara and Jack Nicklaus, and Gary Player. This year, the Fund will award $1.5 Million in scholarships to over 300 students who work in the game of golf. The Annual Banquet is a great source of income for the $1.5 Million. Information on Sponsorship Opportunities and Tickets will be made available shortly.