2025 PRESIDENT’S REPORT

McDonough Supporters, Clubs, and Scholars,

I am honored to be the president of McDonough and am pleased to report on my second year.

Thanks to the hard work of the entire board, this past year has been the Foundation’s most successful. I also want to thank all of you for your continued financial support without which we could not have awarded a record $225,010 in scholarships to 98 scholars from courses around the state.

Before reviewing the past year, I want to thank our outgoing board member, Jeff Rounsaville, for his outstanding service to McDonough. Jeff has served the Foundation for many years, representing Eastman Golf Links as well as the Upper Valley. His greatest contribution to the Foundation came when, as chair of the scholarship committee, he developed an analytical method for awarding scholarships to those most deserving. He will be sorely missed as a full-time board member, but we are hoping, as an emeritus director, Jeff will continue his support of the Foundation.

On that note I am pleased to announce that Glenn Walton was invited to serve as an emeritus director. Glenn retired from the Board at the end of 2024 after many years of active service to McDonough, including being chair of the scholarship committee and president.

The new year started off with the integration of a new scholarship application platform designed to improve the process for both the Board and McDonough applicants. This new portal exceeded expectations in ease of use for our scholars and streamlined the process for the Foundation. The application deadline for scholarships is May 15.

In late 2023 McDonough established a new endowment fund within its Permanent Fund. The McDonough General Endowment Fund was created with the intent of providing a solid financial basis for our annual giving. Thanks to the generosity of the board, private foundations and donors, various grants received, and charitable gaming proceeds, in just two years the Foundation has raised over $343,000 in donations and pledges toward our $650,000 goal. The money is permanently invested, and the earnings will be utilized toward sustaining the Foundation’s scholarship efforts for all eligible applicants for generations to come. A big part of our success of this campaign is the continued support of The Brook and the $94,912 we received from them this year from five days of charitable gaming proceeds.

This year the Walker Fund was established as a named scholarship as part of our Permanent Fund in the memory of Erwin “Butch” Walker and is designated toward a Stonebridge, Derryfield, or other Hillsborough County scholar.

For the past three years we have run an online auction of donated rounds of golf from golf courses from all over the state. In 2025 this auction generated $28,000 from 59 donated rounds. New this year were exclusive rounds from four clubs outside New Hampshire: Rhode Island, Congressional, Salem, and Wannamoisett country clubs. Next year’s auction will be held from May 15-23. Solicitations are presently being made from clubs and courses. Watch the New Hampshire Golf (NHG) revision emails for the link and follow us on Instagram and Facebook.

We have made great strides in our ongoing club relations efforts in educating New Hampshire clubs and courses on the importance of their support for the benefit of their employees and scholars.

With the new application process in place the Foundation received 98 completed applications. At our July meeting at Portsmouth Country Club, the Board voted to award $225,010 in scholarships. This represents the largest scholarship total awarded to date, bringing McDonough’s historical giving to more than $3,700,000 in support of 3,409 scholarships. Our goal for 2026 is to provide at least $250,000 in scholarships.

We were once again blessed with beautiful weather for our 41st annual golf tournament fundraiser at Bald Peak Colony Club. With a full field, and two of our scholars speaking at the awards ceremony, we raised over $35,000, all thanks to the support of our many sponsors, donors, players, and Bald Peak. A couple of weeks later, Laconia Country Club held their very successful annual DiFonzo Golf Tournament, raising $25,000 toward the Thomas L. DiFonzo Scholarship Fund, which is part of our Permanent Fund. Laconia generously donates the course and carts for this annual fundraiser, which helps maximize the significant profit realized from this event.

McDonough’s year was capped off at the NHG Hall of Fame Induction Dinner, with the presentation of the Stan Lencki Distinguished Service Award to former McDonough treasurer Dave Wilson.

Over the course of the year, we welcomed five new members to the Board of Directors: Rick Senatore from Intervale Country Club, Joe Henley from Lake Sunapee Country Club, Mike Blair from Bretwood Golf Course, Sam Garland from Concord Country Club, and Tina Lyon from Lake Winnipesaukee Golf Club. I am pleased to have all five “on board” for 2026 and look forward to them helping to advance the Foundation’s goal of increased scholarship giving.

In closing, my heartfelt thanks go to all who make McDonough’s success possible—individual donors, creators and supporters of named scholarships, club members who give through their clubs, and the scholars we are proud to support. I particularly want to thank all Board members and emeritus board members for their continued efforts in volunteering countless hours and resources year-round to ensure the Foundation can continue its mission. We could not do what we do without your support. And as I mentioned earlier, our scholarship award goal this year is $250,000, so we are counting on your continued support.

Thank you,

Bill Krueger

President

McDonough Scholarship Foundation