MARBLEHEAD — Tedesco Country Club pro Bob Green not only has a strong professional connection with the Francis Ouimet Scholarship Fund, but a personal one as well.
“All four of my children are Ouimet scholars,” said Green, who found out last week that he will be the first-ever recipient of the Ouimet Golf Professional of the Year award.
Not only that, said Green, but in his 39 years as Tedesco’s pro, 140 boys and girls who have worked at the club in various capacities have received scholarships.
Ouimet, raised in Brookline, won the 1913 U.S. Open as a 20-year-old in a one-day playoff at The Country Club. He is often referred to as the father of American golf. A scholarship fund was established in his name in 1949, to be awarded to young men and women who work at golf courses throughout Massachusetts.
The award will annually recognize New England PGA professionals not only for their efforts and achievements in guiding people who work for them to the scholarship, but also their ongoing mentoring.
Green will receive the award Oct. 2 during the Ouimet Pro-Am at the Wellesley Country Club.
Green is one of the strongest promoters of the scholarship, said Bob Donovan, the fund’s executive director.
“I’m humbled, believe me,” Green said. “I’m speechless. When Bob called me last week, I just assumed it was about some other matter. But when he ever told me that I won this award — and that it’s the first of its kind — I was blown away.”
Green and Michael Zmetrovich, who is Tedesco’s Ouimet chairman, work together to ensure that all club caddies and golf employees take advantage of the scholarship opportunity. They also make sure the rest of the members are active in the mentoring process and in supporting the fund’s critical fundraising programs.
“Bob Green demonstrates how integral a role the golf professional plays in the Ouimet programs and the future of those young Ouimet scholars,” Donovan said.
“I’ve been so fortunate to be associated with Ouimet for long in my position as a pro here,” Green said. “All of our winners have been caddies, or worked in the golf shop, or on the grounds crew. They’ve all earned it. And I think it’s such an honor to be named an Ouimet scholar.
“I’ll tell you one thing,” he said. “That award carries a lot of weight in the business community. People see that on a resumé, and they’re very impressed because of what you have to do to earn it.
“These are kids who, most of them, come to the club at an early age, fall in love with it, and commit to being here. They go to school five days a week, and then get up at 6 a.m. on weekends to caddie. And they like being here. We’re very fortunate in that regard.”
In turn, Green said, the club enthusiastically supports the fund.
“It’s always held a special place here,” Green said, “and it’s been supported. There’s nothing better than getting to know a young man or woman, watching them mature, watching them grow, and then, when they’re ready for college, be able to write them a recommendation.”
Green also is gratified by the number of scholars from Tedesco who come back to the club as members.
“Golf draws that type of person,” he said. “We have several former Ouimet scholars who are members here. It’s so gratifying. We really value the people who have grown up here.”
