WGA-ESF LEADER JIM MOORE PASSES AWAY

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BY: RORY SPEARS ASSISTANT EDITOR AND LEAD WRITER.

WGAlogoColorBESTjpgRGBDSDS3 000_Jim_Moore_Furla_portrait_08_hi_res_cropped DS                                                                 WGAESF.COM      JIM MOORE

Jim Moore a major part of the Western Golf Association and the Evans Scholars Foundation has passed away at age 73.

Moore was a part of the Evans Scholar Program for 47 years, and served the WGA longer than any other employee. Moore held multiple titles during his time with the WGA.

During his time with the program, it grew from 600 scholars in school and 1,000 alumni, to 870 scholars and just under 10,000 alumni.

“Our hearts go out to Jim’s family and all of those whose lives he so deeply touched in his leadership roles in the Western Golf Association, said WGA Chairman Dennis O’Keefe. “Jim was a pillar of our organization and the face of the Evans Scholars Foundation to thousands of young men and women who received the Evans Scholarship over the past five decades. He will be greatly missed.”

Evans Scholar houses now exist on the campus of 14 colleges. When Moore first arrived at the WGA in 1967, he was the assistant educational director. Moore had taught at Rich Central high school in Park Forest, he was also a football and tennis coach.

From 1989 to 2008 he served as the educational director, during that time he improved living conditions at all of the Evans Scholars houses. Homes were replaced, upgraded or rebuilt. He would visit the houses on campus and help mentor kids.

Moore was responsible for increasing standards, and diversity among the Evans Scholars. He introduced Co-ed living at the houses, and making sure each year all of houses had a community service project.

In 2008 he became Sr. VP of foundation advancement. In addition a scholarship in his name was created that year, for his 40 years of service.

“Jim’s legacy also is evident through the lives of the thousands of young people he helped during his many years of service to the Evan Scholars Foundation,” said John Kaczkowski, WGA President and CEO. “We are saddened that he will no longer be here to help us on our mission to educate caddies. But his work laid a foundation for the future. His spirit remains with us in the lives of those thousands of caddies he so greatly impacted.”

His interests included sports, golf, and spending time with his grand children. He remained in contact with many of the ESF Alums, he helped mentor over the years.

A celebration of life service is being planned for later date.

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About Rory Spears

Rory spent over 8 years growing up working at Rob Roy Golf Club in Prospect Hts.IL, then two years at Chevy Chase in Wheeling. He has covered golf in Chicago since 1986. Rory was one of the initial members of WSCR all-sports radio Chicago and covered golf there for 5 seasons, before moving on to work for ESPN/Sportsticker and ESPN Radio. In addition to hosting Golfers on Golf Radio on WCPT AM820 Chicago, he writes for both the Chicago District (CDGA) Magazine, and formerly Chicagoland Golf. Rory has played over 525 courses in 39 states, and rates golf courses. He does golf course management and communications consulting, within the golf industry.