Campaign elevates opportunities for deserving caddies nationwide
GLENVIEW, IL – As the Evans Scholars Foundation works to transform the lives of more promising young caddies, the 2024 Match Play Challenge campaign has reached a pivotal phase.
The major gifts initiative is gaining momentum with the end of the year approaching, fueled by the generous contributions of 88 Match Play Partners who have made leadership gifts of $50,000 and greater. These gifts will be used to match every gift of $2,500 or greater the Foundation receives in 2024.
The campaign is a critical component of the Foundation’s annual fundraising campaign, helping cover program costs that are expected to reach $37 million this year. Funds raised through the campaign go toward housing, tuition and programmatic support – including community living and career services resources – for the record 1,190 Evans Scholars enrolled in 24 leading universities across the country for the 2024-25 academic year.
“As we pursue our 2030 Ambitions and long-range plan, we are facing today’s challenges head-on and creating more youth caddie opportunities for young men and women,” WGA Chairman Steve Colnitis said. “We are determined to award more Evans Scholarships every year, and contributions to the Match Play Challenge are a vital part of supporting more caddies in their pursuit of a high-quality college degree.”
Since its inception in 2011, supporters have contributed more than $208 million through the Match Play Challenge, strengthening youth caddie initiatives and the Evans Scholars Program. In addition to offsetting annual program costs, the sustained success of this initiative will enable the Foundation to pursue an ambitious long-range plan, increasing the number of Evans Scholars in school, establishing new partner universities and creating new youth caddie programs from coast to coast.
WGA Director Mike Keiser, who helped lead the development of the Match Play Challenge in 2011, once again is serving as the campaign’s Honorary Chairman in 2024. Keiser is also supporting the initiative as a Match Play Partner.
“We are so thankful to our Match Play Partners for their leadership and the lasting impact they have on our students on every step of their journey — from caddie to college to career,” Executive Vice President Bill Kingore said. “Their generous support truly makes a difference.”
For more information on the Match Play Challenge, please contact Bill Kingore at (224) 260-3712 or
2024 Match Play Partners
as of Oct. 10, 2024
Anonymous (4)
Victor L. Andrews
Libby Anschutz Foundation
Mary Ann & Looe Baker III
John H. Barrow
Jean Berglund
The Binzer Family
Paul Broder
Kenneth and Jacqueline Brody
The A. James and Alice B. Clark Foundation
Glenda and Fritz Corrigan
David & Kristen Cunningham
Curcio Family Foundation
Armond and Kitty Dinverno
Mr. and Mrs. Mark R. Dodson
The Edelweiss Foundation
Thomas J. and Karen A. Falk
Dr. and Mrs. Eugene F. Fama
Mr. and Mrs. Eugene T. Faut
Mr. and Mrs. Blake Fisher
Foglia Family Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Foss
Mike Gallagher
John E. and Barbara C. Gallina
Arthur F. Garcia, M.D.
John and Carolyn Gehring
Francis Gesualdo
Ralph and Mary Gesualdo
Regina Griffus Memorial Fund
Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Hamilton
Dan and Kathy Harmon
Dan and Pam Hay
Frank G. Heitker
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel G. Helle
Jack Holland
Martin P. and Julie Hughes
Douglas and Brittney Hurt
Mark and Mary Ann Kaufman
Mike and Lindy Keiser
Catherine Surgenor Kepley
Dennis and Maureen Kerber
Jason and Peggy Kinander
Robert E. and Graham O. King
Eric and Jennifer Klein
Jerry and Ann Kulig
James R. Kuse Family Foundation
J Andrew and Susan Langan
Desmond R. LaPlace
Josh Lesnik
Maybelle Clark Macdonald Fund
Ronald and Lucille Matricaria
Gary and Carol Matula
Jack and Susan McCabe
McCausland Foundation
Patrick and Meredith McCormack
Robert R. McCormick Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. David McGrath
Dennis and Margaret Mickey
Jordan Milanowski
Eric and Allison Miller
Mr. and Mrs. W. Vaughn Moore
Tom and Susan Moran
Francis W. and Susan B. Morley
Mr. and Mrs. James W. O’Neill
Hew and Lindsey Pate
Jim and Molly Perry
Bruce and Deborah Pfaff
The Frank Polizzi Family
John and Merry Ann Pratt
Quest Fund
Roger W. Sandstrom
Sankaty Head Foundation, Inc.
Schreiber Philanthropy
James and Kathleen Skinner
W. Fritz and Tracy Souder
Mr. and Mrs. Yancey Spruill
Joe and Margie Stigler
George M. Stout
The Stroiman Family
Mike Thaman
Larry and Monica Thuet
The Unnewehr Foundation
Dan and Clea Van Voorhis
Jerry Warner
The Wilf Family Foundation