Success of campaign helps send more deserving caddies to college

GLENVIEW, IL – Generous donors contributed major gifts totaling over $17 million in 2019 as the Match Play Challenge set a fundraising record for the ninth consecutive year.

Eighty-two Match Play Partners helped lead the way with commitments of $50,000 or greater to the Evans Scholars Foundation in 2019. Their leadership gifts were pooled and used to match the gifts of $2,500 and greater the Foundation received last year.

The Match Play Challenge has been a game-changer for young caddies nationwide, generating more than $108 million in total commitments since its launch in 2011. The initiative plays a significant role in the Foundation’s plans for growth, helping it reach a milestone last fall as a record 1,010 Evans Scholars enrolled at 18 universities across the country.

“At a time when more families than ever are struggling to send their children to school, we’re meeting the need of providing Evans Scholarships to young caddies who show strong records of academics, leadership and financial need,” said WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski. “Our Program continues to grow from coast to coast, thanks to our generous supporters.”

WGA Director Mike Keiser, who led the development of the Match Play Challenge over nine years ago, served as the campaign’s Honorary Chair again in 2019.

With families everywhere struggling to meet the rising cost of college tuition, the success of the Match Play Challenge was more important than ever in 2019. Annual programs costs for the Evans Scholars Program have increased to $25 million and are projected to rise by at least $1.5 million each year moving forward.

In addition to increasing the number of Scholars in school, the Foundation is working to establish Scholarship Houses at additional universities, provide community living opportunities for all Evans Scholars and develop a full continuum of support that includes everything from caddie training programs to career mentorship.

“As we continue to grow and expand our Program, we are so grateful for the contributions of our supporters who have led by example in support of young caddies,” said Bill Kingore, Senior Vice President, Development & Strategy. “The Match Play Challenge has been a catalyst for change and these major gifts couldn’t have come at a better time. We are determined to continue to help these deserving young men and women from caddie to college to career.”

For more information on the Match Play Challenge, please contact Bill Kingore at 224-260-3712 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

2019 Match Play Partners

Anonymous (6)
Sam & Marsha Allen
Tom & Diane Allison
Mary Ann & Looe Baker III
John H. Barrow
Mike & Diane Beemer
The Binzer Family
Ed & Peggy Bonach
Kenneth & Jacqueline Brody
Steve & Karis Colnitis
Glenda & Fritz Corrigan
Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Curcio
Tom & Lucy Danis/T. Danis Charitable Trust
Matthew J. Desch
Armond & Kitty Dinverno
Dresner Foundation
Janet and Craig Duchossois
Thomas J. & Karen A. Falk
Dr. & Mrs. Eugene F. Fama
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Foss
Jim and Karen Frank
John E. & Barbara C. Gallina
James L. Garard, Jr.
Mrs. Mary H. Garard
Mr. & Mrs. John Gart
John & Carolyn Gehring
Tom & Taylor Gleitsman
Josef & Rachel Guzowski
Dan & Kathy Harmon
Jack & Karen Holland
Martin P. & Julie Hughes
Jerry & Regina Jurkiewicz
Mark & Mary Ann Kaufman
Susan & Thomas Kearney
Mike & Lindy Keiser
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Kilrea
King Family Foundation
Stephen & Kathryn Kneeley
J. Andrew & Susan Langan
Jack & Jama Lintol
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel F. Lisowski
Thomas L. Mallman
Scott Malpass
John & Jean Matovina
Alan & Vrissiis Matula
Patrick & Meredith McCormack
Ronald M. Miniat
Mr. & Mrs. Kevin Mize
Thomas & Susan Moran
Francis W. & Susan B. Morley
George & Vicki Muellner
Frank & Janet Nessinger
One8Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. James W. O’Neill
Dan & Vicki Pawlowski
Hewitt Pate
Mr. & Mrs. David L. Pemberton
Jim & Molly Perry
Leroy “Pete” Peterson
Mary Petrovich
Bruce & Deborah Pfaff
Gary Planos
John & Cynthia Ply
The Frank Polizzi Family
Quest Fund
Roger W. Sandstrom
Tim Schwertfeger & Gail Waller/Best Portion Foundation
Kathleen & Jim Skinner
The Solich Fund
Joe & Margie Stigler
The Stroiman Family
Larry & Monica Thuet
Mr. & Mrs. Martin Tierney
Reed & Rosemary Tupper
Daniel & Clea Van Voorhis
John P. Ver Bockel & Kathleen Carbonara
Jerry Warner