When it comes to giving his time to try to better the game of golf, Jim Bunch is willing and able.
The longtime Denver resident has volunteered countless hours while playing prominent roles with both the USGA and the Western Golf Association in the 21st century.
Over the years, Bunch’s roles have included being chairman of the USGA Rules of Golf Committee, of the WGA and of the Evans Scholars Foundation that awards full tuition and housing college scholarships to high-achieving caddies with limited financial means.
Bunch was a member of the USGA’s Executive Committee, one of the most powerful ruling bodies in golf, from 2003-10. At various times during that span, he chaired the USGA’s Rules of Golf, Finance, Grants and Bob Jones Award Committees. During his time chairing the Rules of Golf Committee, Bunch spent more than 150 nights on the road on USGA-related business—much of it at his own expense.
Two years after leaving the USGA Executive Committee, Bunch became the first chairman of the WGA from Colorado during a time when Western Golf was awarding more Evans Scholarships than ever before. The chairman is the top volunteer leadership position at the association. Then in 2014, he moved on to be chairman of the board of trustees for the Evans Scholars Foundation.
In both cases, it was a labor of love for Bunch, who caddied as a 12-year-old in the Chicago area. The WGA administers the Evans Scholarship for caddies, including the chapter at the University of Colorado, and oversees the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship, which benefits the Evans Scholarship. Bunch first joined the WGA board of directors in 1992, and still serves as an Evans Scholars Foundation trustee.
Bunch, a Denver resident since 1970, well understands the effect the Evans Scholarship can have on those selected, along with their families. Since U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur champion Chick Evans started the Evans Scholarship in 1930, it’s produced more than 11,300
alums.
As chair of the USGA’s Rules Committee, Bunch had the privilege of walking with the final groups at national and international championships.
Bunch is a member at Denver Country Club and The Club at Cordillera in Colorado, as well as at The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews and Prestwick in Scotland.
