Campaign elevates opportunities for deserving caddies nationwide
GLENVIEW, IL – The Match Play Challenge – the major gifts initiative of the Evans Scholars Foundation’s annual Par Club campaign – is underway for a 13th year. More than 60 Match Play Partners are leading the way, making significant gifts to help send promising youth caddies to college.
Foundation leaders launched the 2023 campaign during the 12th annual ESF Golf Retreat at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon on May 16-18. The unique fundraising effort uses Match Play Partner gifts of $50,000 and greater to match every gift of $2,500 or more the Foundation receives. Par Club members have generously donated more than $178 million through the Match Play Challenge since its first year in 2011.
Those critical funds have enabled the Foundation to be a driving force on behalf of youth caddies at a time when young men and women are applying for the Evans Scholarship in record numbers. During the 2022-23 academic year, the Foundation sent a record 1,100 Evans Scholars to 22 leading universities nationwide.
In addition to increasing the number of Evans Scholars, the Foundation is setting ambitious goals for the future while building and developing new youth caddie programs and reimagining the way it prepares Evans Scholars for their professional lives.
“After the incredible success of The Promise Campaign, we’ve set our eyes on new initiatives to bring caddying and the Evans Scholarship to more students, clubs and communities across the country," said Western Golf Association Chairman Joe Desch. "Our generous Match Play Partners play a critical role in helping youth caddies realize their dreams, and we're immensely grateful for their support."
The Foundation raised nearly $22 million through the Match Play Challenge in 2022, helping to offset the Evans Scholars Program’s annual costs of more than $27 million. With those costs projected to rise by $1.5 million each year moving forward, the continued success of the Match Play Challenge will ensure that the Foundation is able to make a lasting impact by sending exceptional young people to college.
WGA Director Mike Keiser, who helped lead the development of the Match Play Challenge in 2011, is again serving as the campaign’s Honorary Chairman while supporting the initiative as a Match Play Partner.
“Every year we are humbled by the kindness of our supporters and their gifts to the Match Play Challenge,” said Executive Vice President Bill Kingore. “Our goals in growing our program and investing in the leaders of tomorrow are lofty, and our Match Play Partners are a driving force in the lives of our Evans Scholars. Their generous support truly makes all the difference.”
For more information on the Match Play Challenge, please contact Bill Kingore at (224) 260-3712 or
2023 Match Play Partners
as of May 19, 2023
Anonymous (2)
John H. Barrow
The Binzer Family
James E. and Mary M. Bishop
Paul Broder
Kenneth and Jacqueline Brody
The A. James and Alice B. Clark Foundation
Glenda and Fritz Corrigan
Curcio Family Foundation
Armond and Kitty Dinverno
Mr. and Mrs. Mark R. Dodson
Dresner Foundation
Janet and Craig Duchossois
The Edelweiss Foundation
Electri-Flex Co./Jason Kinander
Thomas J. and Karen A. Falk
Dr. and Mrs. Eugene F. Fama
Foglia Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Foss
John E. and Barbara C. Gallina
John and Carolyn Gehring
Josef and Rachel Guzowski
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Hamilton
Dan and Kathy Harmon
Dan and Pam Hay
Frank G. Heitker
Jack Holland
Douglas & Brittney Hurt
Jerry and Regina Jurkiewicz
Mark and Mary Ann Kaufman
Mike and Lindy Keiser
Josh Lesnik
Jack & Jama Lintol
John and Jean Matovina
Ronald and Lucille Matricaria
Gary and Carol Matula
Jack and Susan McCabe
Patrick and Meredith McCormack
Mr. and Mrs. W. Vaughn Moore
Tom and Susan Moran
Mr. and Mrs. James W. O’Neill
One8 Foundation
Hew and Lindsey Pate
Jim and Molly Perry
Bruce and Deborah Pfaff
The Frank Polizzi Family
John and Merry Ann Pratt
Quest Fund
Richard A. Sachs
Tim Schwertfeger and Gail Waller/Best Portion Foundation
Elizabeth, Allan and Warren Shelden Fund
James and Kathleen Skinner
W. Fritz and Tracy Souder
Joe and Margie Stigler
The Stroiman Family
Reed and Rosemary Tupper
The Unnewehr Foundation
Dan and Clea Van Voorhis
Michael J. Wallace
Jerry Warner