Annual campaign fuels Evans Scholars growth nationwide
GLENVIEW, IL – The Evans Scholars Foundation has officially launched the 2026 Match Play Challenge, the major gifts initiative of its annual Par Club campaign. Now in its 16th year, the Match Play Challenge is off to a strong start thanks to the generosity of 61 Match Play Partners who have made leadership gifts of $50,000 or more.
In 2025, the Match Play Challenge raised more than $29 million, helping offset the Foundation’s growing annual program costs. Now totaling $41 million, those costs include funding caddie scholarships, providing community living opportunities for all Evans Scholars and developing career services resources to prepare students for their professional careers.
“As we continue advancing our long-range plan and pursuing the 2030 Ambitions, we’re focused on creating more opportunities for deserving youth caddies across the country,” WGA Chairman Andy Langan said. “The Match Play Challenge plays a critical role in that effort, helping us expand access to the Evans Scholarship and support more young men and women on their path to college and successful careers.”
The Match Play Challenge works by pooling gifts from Match Play Partners to create a fund that is used to match all contributions of $2,500 or greater made to the Foundation during the year. Since its inception in 2011, Match Play Challenge participants have given more than $258 million to support youth caddies and the Evans Scholars Program.
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 2026, while supporting the initiative as a Match Play Partner. Sustained support through this initiative allows the Foundation to grow the number of Evans Scholars, launch new chapters and expand youth caddie programs across the country.
“Our Match Play Partners are true champions for our Scholars, guiding them on their journey from caddie to college to career,” said Executive Vice President Bill Kingore. “We’re incredibly grateful for their leadership and the meaningful difference they make in the lives of youth caddies and our Evans Scholars.”
For more information about the Match Play Challenge, please contact Bill Kingore at (224) 260-3712 or
2026 Match Play Partners
as of June 17, 2026
Anonymous (2)
Richard Alonzo
John H. Barrow
Matthew Bayer & Irene Yaung
M/M Steven Beauchamp
Jean Berglund
M/M Greg Brown
Caldwell Tanks & Preload
Glenda & Fritz Corrigan
M/M Curt S. Culver
Curcio Family Foundation
David & Maura DePrisco
Armond & Kitty Dinverno
Ehlert Family Foundation
Thomas J. & Karen A. Falk
Dr/M Eugene F. Fama
M/M Blake Fisher
The Foglia Family Foundation
M/M Robert Foss
Jim & Karen Frank
John E. & Barbara C. Gallina
Arthur F. Garcia, M.D.
John & Carolyn Gehring
M/M Christopher Glass
M/M Robert L. Hamilton
Dan & Pam Hay
Frank G. Heitker
Jack Holland
Martin P. & Julie Hughes
Mike & Lindy Keiser
Dennis & Maureen Kerber
Jason & Peggy Kinander
Bill & Sharon Kozek
Dan & Jessica Krems
J Andrew & Susan Langan
Josh Lesnik
M/M Michael A. Lueck
Ronald & Lucille Matricaria
Gary & Carol Matula
M/M Kevin J. Meehan
Dennis & Margaret Mickey
Jordan Milanowski
Bill & Lorna Miller
Tom & Susan Moran
Jim & Molly Perry
Mary Petrovich
Bruce & Deborah Pfaff
John & Merry Ann Pratt
Craig Russell
Schreiber Philanthropy
George & Mary Sissel
M/M Yancey Spruill
Joe & Margie Stigler
The Stroiman Family
Mike Thaman
Daniel & Clea Van Voorhis
John P. Ver Bockel & Kathleen Carbonara
Jon-Micheal & Stephanie Wheat
The Wilf Family Foundation
Lou Woodworth & Heidi Charleson