WGA Adds New University for Evans Scholars as Part of Ongoing Expansion

Two Maryland caddies to attend UMD on full tuition and housing Evans Scholarships; ESF purchases property to serve as future Caves Valley Evans Scholars Scholarship House 

(GLENVIEW, IL) — The Western Golf Association’s (WGA) acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF) today announced its inaugural class of Evans Scholars who will begin attending the University of Maryland, College Park, as incoming freshmen this fall. The ESF also has purchased a building near campus, which will serve as the future home of the Caves Valley Evans Scholars Scholarship House.

The addition of Maryland is part of an ongoing expansion plan in the East for the Evans Scholars Program, which provides full tuition and housing college scholarships to high-achieving golf caddies across the nation who come from limited financial means. To qualify, students must display outstanding records of caddying, academics and character and leadership. Currently, 1,045 students nationwide are attending 19 top universities on Evans Scholarships. 

The newly awarded Evans Scholars who will attend the University of Maryland, College Park, this fall are incoming freshmen Varada Maulkhan and Rebecca Lannon. 

Varada, from Baltimore, graduated from Catonsville High School as an honor roll student, Diversity Club Vice President, peer tutor and a Varsity golfer. Her parents are immigrants from Guyana, and she was introduced to the game of golf through First Tee-Greater Baltimore at the age of 8. She displayed her strong work ethic as a caddie at Baltimore Country Club and Caves Valley Golf Club. She plans to major in history and secondary education at UMD in the fall.

Rebecca, from Timonium, graduated from Dulaney High School as a member of student government and Future Business Leaders of America, as well as a three-sport athlete in soccer, lacrosse and track and field. She caddied for three years at Baltimore Country Club and has an older sister who also earned the Evans Scholarship. Rebecca plans to study music technology at UMD.

“We are thrilled to send our first Evans Scholars to Maryland, as well as to complete the purchase of the future Caves Valley Evans Scholars Scholarship House,” said WGA Chairman Kevin Buggy. “This is a critical next step as we expand the reach of the Evans Scholars Program and its life-changing impact on the East Coast.”

A unique component of the Evans Scholars Program is the positive community living experience provided to students in the scholarship houses. Scholarship house living teaches students valuable life skills in communication, leadership, mentoring, and provides a strong sense of community. The buildings provide a substance-free setting where students become confident leaders on and off campus, while studying in a safe, state-of-the-art living and learning environment.

Work will begin soon on renovating the future Caves Valley Evans Scholars Scholarship House, which is located three blocks from the University of Maryland campus on College Avenue in the historic Old Town neighborhood. The Scholarship House is expected to open in 2024 and will be the Program’s 18th Evans Scholarship House. The two Evans Scholars will live together in a university residence hall until the renovation is complete. 

The purchase of the property was made possible by a commitment of a lead gift of $2 million by the Caves Valley Golf Club Foundation. The significant investment also helped secure several additional major commitments toward the cost and future renovation of the house. 

“We are proud to have partnered in creating the Caves Valley Evans Scholars Scholarship House at the University of Maryland,” said Steven Fader, Chairman of the Caves Valley Golf Club and Trustee of the Caves Valley Golf Club Foundation. “The unique scholarship house living environment that the Evans Scholars will all share during their four years at the University of Maryland will provide a positive experience that will forever shape their lives as successful students and leaders.  We eagerly await the first group of remarkable and deserving students to move into their new home. This will begin a proud new tradition of Evans Scholars at the University of Maryland.”

ESF leaders will work closely with architects, local and state officials and university leaders to renovate the existing structure to meet Evans Scholars housing standards while also adhering to historic preservation guidelines. Upon renovation and project completion, the building will provide housing for scholarship recipients who will live and learn together for the duration of their college career. 

In addition, the 2021 BMW Championship, a PGA TOUR FedExCup Playoff event that is run by the WGA will be held Aug. 23-29 at Caves Valley Golf Club outside Baltimore, raising awareness and funds to support the work and positive impact of the ESF.

To learn more about the WGA and ESF, visit www.wgaesf.org.