Success of campaign will help send more caddies to college
Generous donors have helped the Match Play Challenge achieve an eighth consecutive record-breaking year, as the Evans Scholars Foundation’s major gifts initiative raised more than $15 million in 2018.
The 77 Match Play Partners who each made commitments of $50,000 or greater in 2018 led the way. 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 the Foundation, accounting for more than $91 million in total commitments since it launched in 2011.
This tremendous support comes at a time when families across the country are struggling to meet the cost of college tuition. Young men and women nationwide are applying for the Evans Scholarship in record numbers each year, with more than 810 applying last year alone.
Annual program costs will reach $23 million for the 985 Scholars in school this year, and that figure is projected to rise by at least $1.5 million each year as the Foundation pursues a goal of having 1,000 Scholars in school, living in community, by 2020.
WGA Director Mike Keiser, who led the development of the Match Play Challenge in 2011, served as the campaign’s Honorary Chair again in 2018. The sustained success of this initiative will help the Foundation achieve the promising goals it has set for the future.
These goals include establishing the Evans Scholars Program at additional universities, providing community living opportunities for all Scholars and developing a full continuum of support that will include everything from caddie training programs to career mentorship.
“For our goals to be reached, it is essential to continue to raise more tuition dollars through these major gift efforts,” said Bill Kingore, Senior Vice President, Development & Strategy. “Our Evans Scholars are succeeding in the classroom and achieving at the highest level. It is our privilege to help these deserving young men and women, and we are determined to work to help more caddies receive a college education. It’s an exciting time for us and we are looking forward to building on this success in 2019.”
For more information on the Match Play Challenge, please contact Bill Kingore at 224-260-3712 or
2018 Match Play Partners
Anonymous (4)
Sam & Marsha Allen
Mary Ann & Looe Baker III
Mike & Diane Beemer
The Binzer Family
Ed & Peggy Bonach
Kenneth & Jacqueline Brody
Steve & Karis Colnitis
Glenda & Fritz Corrigan
Mr. & Mrs. Dominic Curcio
Matthew J. Desch
Kathy & Bill Doyle
Dresner Foundation
Craig J. Duchossois
Thomas J. & Karen A. Falk
Dr. & Mrs. Eugene F. Fama
Robert E. & Georganne Foss
Jim & Karen Frank
John E. & Barbara C. Gallina
James L. & Mary Garard
John & Carolyn Gehring
Tom & Taylor Gleitsman
Dan & Kathy Harmon
Peter & Pat Haug
Susan & Jack Hogge
Jack & Karen Holland
Martin P. & Julie Hughes
Dave & Kathy Kammerer in memory of Matt Kammerer
Susan & Thomas Kearney
Mike & Lindy Keiser
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Kilrea
Jason & Peggy Kinander
King Family Foundation
J. Andrew & Susan Langan
Mr. & Mrs. Don Law
Jack & Jama Lintol
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel F. Lisowski
Thomas L. Mallman
Scott Malpass
John & Jean Matovina
Alan & Vrissiis Matula
Patrick & Meredith McCormack
Thomas & Jae Miske
Dr. David & Lola Monson
Thomas & Susan Moran
Francis W. & Susan B. Morley
George & Vicki Muellner
Frank & Janet Nessinger
One8 Foundation
Hewitt Pate
Dan & Vicki Pawlowski
Jim & Molly Perry
Rita & Leroy “Pete” Peterson
Mary Petrovich
Bruce & Deborah Pfaff
Dr. James E. Piereson
John & Cynthia Ply
The Frank Polizzi Family
Quest Fund
Jerry & Keith Rich
Therese & John Rigas
Roger W. Sandstrom
Marge & Charles J. Schott Foundation
Elizabeth, Allen & Warren Shelden Fund
Kathleen & Jim Skinner
Martin Snitzer
The Solich Fund
The Stroiman Family
Larry & Monica Thuet
Reed & Rosemary Tupper
Daniel & Clea Van Voorhis
John P. Ver Bockel & Kathleen Carbonara
Jerry Warner
Bill & Tracy Wheeler