Barbara and Jack Nicklaus Honored at Ouimet Banquet

NORTON, MA ---- Barbara and Jack Nicklaus, long considered golf's greatest couple, were the guest speakers and honored with the 12th Francis Ouimet Award for Lifelong Contributions to Golf at the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund's 58th Annual Banquet. The banquet was held Monday, May 14, 2007 at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. A record audience of 2,000 attended. Morgan Stanley was presenting sponsor.

"We are thrilled that Jack and Barbara Nicklaus accepted our invitation. This is the first time we have honored a couple. Jack is regarded as the greatest golfer ever, and Barbara Nicklaus is considered to be one of the most gracious, kind and charitable women in the history of the game. They have been the model of family life in the world of mega sports. We're also delighted that LPGA Commissioner Emeritus Charlie Mechem has graced us again as Master of Ceremonies. This is, with 2,000 attendees, the biggest event in Ouimet Fund history, and probably the biggest golf dinner in the US this year" said Ted Highberger, Ouimet Fund President. He explained that it is felt that this is the biggest golf dinner ever in New England and one of the largest sports dinners of any kind in Boston.

Honorable Thomas M. Menino, Mayor of Boston served as Honorary Chairperson for the Banquet. This is the tenth time Mr. Menino has served in this capacity. The dinner also featured a video of Barbara and Jack Nicklaus and highlights of past dinners and honorees.

Jack Nicklaus has been considered "Golfer of the Century" by almost every major publication. His competitive career spanned five decades in which he won 105 professional tournaments and 18 professional majors along with two US Amateur Championships. He was PGA Tour leading money winner eight times and Player of the Year five times. He played on six Ryder Cup Teams, captained two others, and was Captain three times for the President's Cup team and will serve in that role again in 2007. He has designed 250 courses worldwide, and his courses have hosted 500 professional events. Mr. Nicklaus is widely admired as a leading "golf businessman," and been ranked for the last three years as "The Most Powerful Person in Golf" by Golf Magazine.

Barbara Nicklaus has been though of as, "First Lady of Golf." A true philanthropist, she has raised over $12 Million for various charities. Included is the Barbara and Jack Nicklaus Junior Golf Endowment Fund. She has also been involved in Stop! Children's Cancer of Palm Beach County and a member of the Center for Family Services Board. She is Chair of the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation. Mrs. Nicklaus was honored with the Ambassador of Golf Award in 1990, and was the inaugural First Lady of Golf Award winner as selected by the PGA of America in 1998. The Metropolitan Golf Writers Association in 2000 presented her with the inaugural Winnie Palmer Award.

Mr. and Mrs. Nicklaus met when they were students at Ohio State, and were married in 1960. They have raised five children and have 20 grandchildren. The Nicklaus family lives in North Palm Beach, FL. They have twice been named "Golf Family of the Year," once by the National Golf Foundation (1985) and then by the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association (1992).

Charlie Mechem first served as Ouimet Banquet Master of Ceremonies in 2004 when Nancy Lopez was the honoree. Mr. Mechem is one of the most respected people in golf, and has been deeply involved with Mr. Nicklaus in many business and civic activities. He is an attorney and former Chairman of Taft Broadcasting and the Great American Broadcasting Company. He is a member of the Captain's Club of the Memorial Tournament and the longtime MC of its Honoree Ceremony.

In a special presentation, a permanently endowed scholarship was created in the name of Boston native Ellen Hines, who died of cancer in April of 2005. Mrs. Hines was a Regis College graduate and former Boston area teacher who lived for many years in the Columbus, Ohio and Jupiter Island, Florida areas. She and her husband John Hines were long time friends of Mr. and Mrs. Nicklaus. The Regis College Chamber Singers performed the National Anthem in tribute to Mrs. Hines.

The Ouimet Fund also announced it would increase its annual scholarships to $1.3 Million in 2007-2008. It was an increase of $150,000, or 13%, from the $1.15 Million awarded to 329 students in 2006-2007.

Tom Martin, a Ouimet Director and President of Cramer Productions, was presented with the Richard F. Connolly, Jr. Distinguished Service Award. Mr. Martin's company produces the videos and presentations for these banquets along with many Ouimet video projects. Andrew Bartlett of Woodland Golf Club, The Franklin Park Caddie Scholars Program and Providence College was the Student Speaker.

The Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund was founded in 1949. The $1.3 Million in planned award in 2007-2008 will bring The Fund to over $17.6 Million in merit and need-based college tuition assistance to 4,300 young people. It is the second largest "caddie fund" in the US behind the Evans Fund, and largest in any one state. Ouimet Scholars have served at least two years as caddies or helpers in pro shop and course superintendent operations in Massachusetts, and many of who have gone on to outstanding positions of leadership in business and professional careers. The Ouimet Fund is a 501 (c) (3) organization and is considered, "The Golf Charity of Massachusetts."