Former caddies and Ouimet Alumni gathered at The Country Club in Brookline on October 8 for the 45th Annual Fred Anders Memorial Golf Tournament, which raised funds supporting the Anders Fund, a named endowed scholarship at the Ouimet Fund.
Fred Anders was the beloved caddie manager at TCC for 30 years until his retirement in 1970. From the words of several former caddies from that era, Fred was a tough task master who insisted on very high standards of work ethic and conduct for his charges. Many went on to become Ouimet Scholars and were successful in their lives and careers building on the strong values Fred instilled in “his lads”. Fred’s retirement celebration in 1970 drew legions of TCC members and former caddies who wanted to celebrate his long and successful service to both groups.
In 1979, David Cavalier, a former TCC caddie and Ouimet Scholar, approached TCC members J. Louis Newell and Charles M. Pyle, III about initiating a fundraising tournament to acknowledge the 10th anniversary of Fred’s retirement. Along with TCC caddie alumnus Robert McAlear, who was the Ouimet Fund Treasurer, the group teamed up to create one of the first named endowed scholarships at the Ouimet Fund. It would be funded with the proceeds of an annual tournament at TCC, and the beneficiaries would be Ouimet Scholars who had caddied or worked at TCC.
Since 2000 alone, the Anders Fund has provided $275,000 to Ouimet Scholars from The Country Club. This year, The Fund will be awarding $45,000 in scholarship support, bringing the total to $320,000 over the last 24 years. The current investment balance in the Fund is roughly $275,000, ensuring that the future of this unique endeavor looks bright in another 45 years.
In addition to the proceeds of the tournament, the Anders Fund also receives generous gifts from TCC caddie alumni and other supporters, including many members. Past and present club members such as John Sears, Patrick Grant and many others also provided additional critical support over the years. Members play in the event every year, ensuring continued awareness of this unique TCC tradition.
Anders Alumni caddied in the 1963 U.S. Open, the 1973 Walker Cup and the 1982 U.S. Amateur at TCC. The group has also had the honor of being assigned as Marshals on a hole at the 1988 U.S. Open, the 1999 Ryder Cup, the 2013 U.S. Amateur and the 2022 U.S. Open.
The Ouimet Fund would like to thank Anders Alumni Chair Bernie McTernan and his committee (which still includes Cavalier and McAlear) for continuing this wonderful tradition that supports college education for TCC’s Ouimet Scholars. The Anders Fund could not have been as successful as it is without the unwavering support of TCC members and staff, particularly legendary Golf Professionals Don Callahan and Brendan Walsh and General Managers David Chag and Kristen LaCount, who have been stalwart supporters.
At the conclusion of this year’s event, special recognition was made to McAlear with the Founder’s Award from the committee for his important efforts. The Ouimet Fund’s Executive Director Colin McGuire was on hand to thank the group for their longtime generosity to help so many young men and women. He concluded by pointing out that the Anders Alumni should feel proud that since the establishment of this named endowed scholarship, Ouimet has seen the program grow to nearly 200 funds.
