Illinois Jaycee Charitable Foundation, Inc. - Larry Olsen Memorial Golf Tournament Page

Larry Olsen was born July 1, 1904. He was the first person inducted into the Illinois Jaycees Hall of Fame in February 1985. Larry joined the Chicago Jaycees in 1925. Later, moving from Chicago, he joined the Moline Jaycees in 1933. Larry served as a local officer until 1935. In 1940, he was editor of the Jaycees newsletter where he developed many communicative skills for the Moline chapter. Her later served as secretary and newsletter editor for the Illinois JCI Senate for a period of eight years. In 1974-75, Larry served as President of the Illinois JCI Senate and in 1975-76 followed up as Vice President of the United Stated JCI Senate. A friend of Henry Giessenbier, John Armbruster and Bill Brownfield, Larry was a definite forefather of the Illinois Jaycees. He was a very familiar face at the local – region – state and national level of Jaycees. He was awarded JCI Senator #4563. Larry passed away on March 31, 1990 at the age of 85.

The Illinois Jaycee Charitable Foundation established a scholarship program in 1986 on behalf of the Illinois Jaycees. Like any other project, financial means became a necessity for its survival. Members of the Foundation Board began searching for a means in which to finance the scholarship program without utilizing general funds. A member of the Board at that time was responsible for the scholarship program and also happened to be a member of the Moline Jaycees. It was at that time when the Moline Jaycees were interested in establishing a statewide project that would recognize Larry Olsen.

While working together, the Illinois Jaycee Charitable Foundation and the Moline Jaycees developed the idea which would serve the needs of both organizations. The Moline Jaycees decided to conduct a golf tournament in Larry’s name with the proceeds going to the Foundation scholarship fund. In 1992, the First Annual Larry Olsen Memorial Golf Tournament was held in October in Moline. Since this was late in the year and on short notice, participation was sparse. Something had to be done to make this a special project. Timing, manpower and participants seemed to be the biggest needs to conduct a successful event.

In 1993, a mutual agreement was made between the Illinois Jaycee Charitable Foundation, Moline Jaycees and Illinois JCI Senate. The Senate would be the main provider of manpower and participants. Since the Senate did not conduct a business meeting at the Summer GA, it was determined to hold the event annually on the Saturday of the Summer GA. Two Senators from the area hosting the Summer GA would serve as co-chairmen for that year’s tournament. This pattern was followed until 1999, when the Illinois Jaycees eliminated the Summer GA. Thus the tournament is now a stand-alone event being held at various locations throughout Illinois on a volunteer basis by interested parties willing to host and co-chair the event.

Since the inception of this tournament, which is the sole means providing funds for the scholarships, the amount of money raised for the scholarship fund has increased annually. Due to the improving financial success, the Illinois Jaycee Charitable Foundation has been able to increase the number of scholarships awarded and increase the scholarship amount from $500 to $1000 per recipient. There are several ways in which local Jaycee chapters, region organizations, JCI Senate organizations, local businesses or individuals can contribute to the success of this worthwhile event. Naturally, participation in the golf tournament is one but the main source of revenue is through hole sponsorships and individual donations. Any donation of $100 will qualify the donor as a hole sponsor and a $20 donation as an individual sponsor. All donations are made through the Foundation which is credited towards qualifying the donor as a Contributing Member of the Illinois Jaycee Charitable Foundation. Contact the Executive Director for details.

As the result of the successful Larry Olsen Memorial Golf Tournament, a total of 38 scholarships have been awarded in the amount of over $28,000 on behalf of the Illinois Jaycees. Scholarship competition is conducted for any high school student in Illinois who will be attending their first year of higher education the following year. The Scholarship Application is available for download from this web site on Scholarship page (Scholarship Application Form). Submission deadline is December 1^st each year with the scholarship recipients being announced and introduced at the noon luncheon of the Illinois Jaycees Winter GA meeting in February. There is no cost involved for any applicant of the scholarship. The scholarship winners from Illinois are then submitted for further scholarship competition conducted by the U.S. JCI Senate Foundation.