Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2015 - 32

(punch shots
)
( The President's Desk
Giving Back for a
Better Tomorrow
By Kip Colwell
O
ne of the great things about the game of golf
is that its participants and fans seem to consistently
give back to the community at large.
Whether it's the $2.4 billion the PGA Tour has raised over
seven decades, the $21 million the 3M Championship has
collected for local charities since 1993 or the annual average
of $52.4 million golf raises for charities in Minnesota,
we all have a chance to participate and give back, and the
figures are proof that we do so wholeheartedly.
I've been lucky to be involved in the
Evans Scholars program, which currently
provides full scholarships and housing
to more than 800 students across
multiple universities. A number of my
close friends have graduated as Evans
Scholars from the University of Minnesota,
one of which is our own Tom Ryan.
The Evans house on the Minneapolis
campus currently has 60 students and
is considered one of the top scholastic
houses across all the chapters. The
scholarship has three requirements:
The applicant must be a caddie in good
standing, he or she must have an excellent
academic record, and his or her family must have a
financial need.
Since its first Evans Scholar-the late Jim Lange, class
I would always recommend
a caddie. The conversation
and opportunity for a new
relationship is an enriching part
of the golf experience.
of 1954-the U of M chapter has graduated more than
600 scholars.
The Minikahda Club recently hosted an Evans Scholarship
fundraising event with the author Oliver Horovitz,
who wrote the book, An American Caddie at St. Andrews.
It's entertaining and certainly a must-read if you've ever
played in or are planning a golf trip to Scotland or Ireland.
Ollie regaled us with many stories about the caddie
shack, players (some ugly Americans) and what a Hawaii
5-0 is (a barely acceptable tip).
His stories and descriptions helped to remind me of
some of the great characters that have looped for me on
a couple of trips. I would always recommend a caddie
when available over riding a golf cart; whether it's an impressionable
13-year-old or a 65-year-old Scotsman, the
conversation and opportunity for a new relationship is an
enriching part of the golf experience.
The MGA has long supported various golf-related
charities with staff time, publicity and, at times, a small
donation. If you're looking for ways to participate or just
play a few more rounds of golf, check out the events listing
on our website (mngolf.org/calendar). If you'd like
a recommendation, the Evans 7-Club is one of the best
events of the summer, and this year it's being hosted at
Edina Country Club. If you'd like more information, you
can contact Anne Colehour at the MGA offices.
-Kip
30
MINNESOTAGOLFER Summer 2015
www.mngolf.org
PHOTO BY PAUL MARKERT
http://www.mngolf.org/calendar http://www.mngolf.org
Minnesota Golfer - Summer 2015

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