Record Number of Student Caddies Awarded Full College Scholarships

(Glenview, IL) – A record 300 students from across the country have been awarded the Evans Scholarship, a prestigious full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies, this year.

Each caddie has a unique story, reflecting the scholarship’s four selection criteria: a strong caddie record; excellent academics; demonstrated financial need; and outstanding character. A full list of winners can be found in the accompanying document.

Recipients were interviewed at one of more than 20 selection meetings held virtually across the country from this past November through March. Winners will begin college as Evans Scholars this fall, attending one of 19 leading universities nationwide that is an Evans Scholars partner school.

“These deserving young students epitomize what our Program has been about since its creation in 1930,” said WGA Chairman Kevin Buggy. “Their dedication, hard work and sacrifice is inspiring, and we are honored to be able to help them pursue their dreams.”

The Western Golf Association, headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, has overseen the Evans Scholars Program since1930. One of golf’s favorite charities, it is the nation’s largest scholarship program for caddies.

Currently, a record 1,045 students are enrolled in 19 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 11,300 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. 

“These young men and women have shown excellence in the classroom, in their communities, and on the golf course,” said John Kaczkowski, WGA/ESF President and CEO. “We welcome them to the Evans Scholars family.”

The support of local golf and country clubs and partnering golf associations nationwide has been an integral part of the success of the Evans Scholars Program. 

Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by more than 33,000 golfers across the country, who are members of the Evans Scholars Par Club program. Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $15 million annually, and all proceeds from the BMW Championship, the third of four PGA TOUR Playoff events in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup competition, are donated to the Evans Scholars Foundation. In 2021, the BMW Championship will be held at Caves Valley Golf Club outside Baltimore from Aug. 23-29.

To learn more about the WGA and ESF, visit https://wgaesf.org/.