Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We recognize that diversity, equity and inclusion are essential values that make us stronger as an organization. By continuing to build and embrace a more diverse, equitable and inclusive WGA and Evans Scholars community — where everyone feels a sense of belonging — we strive to be a model platform that positively impacts the game of golf.

What does Diversity, Equity and Inclusion mean at WGA/ESF?

Diversity: Our individual identities and experiences are valued and make us unique.

Equity: Everyone within the WGA/ ESF community will have the resources they need to reach their full potential.

Inclusion: Every individual is welcomed, respected and feels a sense of belonging within the WGA/ESF community.

Lindsay Dresser serves as the Senior Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at WGA/ESF. In this role, she leads the integration of DEI principles across the organization, extending from staff to Evans Scholars, youth caddies, volunteer leaders, partnerships and golf championships. For more information, contact Lindsay at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Our Progress

In 2020, WGA/ESF leaders unveiled a long-range plan for organizational growth, announcing a set of goals they called the 2030 Ambitions, with a focus on expanding and diversifying youth caddie opportunities and increasing diversity among staff and volunteer leadership.

The WGA Board of Governors has established a DEI Committee to help reach its goals. Led by Derek Douglas — who served as a special assistant to President Barack Obama and works on initiatives to bolster economic opportunity and social mobility — this committee is building on the work of the DEI Council, which was formed in 2017.

In addition to adding a dedicated staff member to oversee DEI efforts, the WGA/ESF partnered with The Kaleidoscope Group, a national DEI consulting firm, to help create the organizational values statement and operational inclusion strategic plan in 2021.

Goals within this plan include efforts with Evans Scholars; WGA/ESF staff; youth caddies; and partnerships, volunteer leadership and championships.

Evans Scholars in school

Case for Investment

To reach our 2030 Ambitions, we need to attract new audiences — including youth caddies, staff, Evans Scholars, WGA Directors and donors.

Broadening the diversity of our organization and building a more inclusive environment will help us better support and serve our Evans Scholars and Alumni along their journey from caddie to college to career.

Establishing relationships with new partners — including schools, golf and country clubs and community organizations — strengthens our mission, expands our network and allows us to identify as a leader in the game of golf.

Representation and impact will be directly related to the organization’s relevancy and growth, both now and in the future.

Our Journey

We're a work in progress, but we remain committed to transparency and accountability as we drive toward the future.

Milestones Through the Years

2024: WGA/ESF launches its second workplace inclusion survey. DEI education sessions are provided for staff.

2024: WGA/ESF expands its partnership with Ed Oliver Golf Club, offering a youth caddie program at the municipal golf course in Wilmington, Delaware.

2023: The WGA Caddie Academy for Young Women grows with the addition of a chapter in Columbus, Ohio.

2023: Howard University becomes the ESF's first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) partner university.

2023: WGA/ESF launches lunch-and-learn series to encourage staff to celebrate and acknowledge heritage months.

2023: WGA/ESF forms a partnership with the Underrated Golf Tour to grant exemptions for the boys and girls Curry Cup champions to the Western Junior and Women's Western Junior championships

2022: WGA/ESF expands partnership with Charleston Municipal Golf Course, establishing a youth caddie program for the golf course in Charleston, South Carolina.

2022: WGA/ESF launches a bi-annual workplace inclusion survey. DEI education sessions are provided to staff, and all-staff quarterly meetings begin.

2022: The WGA Caddie Academy for Young Women grows with the addition of a chapter in Minnesota.

2021: WGA/ESF partners with The Kaleidoscope Group to form a DEI strategic plan and hires its first Director, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Senior Director, Human Resources. Manager trainings for staff begin.

2021: The first DEI Committee, led by Committee Chair and Board of Governors member Derek Douglas, is established.

2021: An E-Board position for VP, DEI is added at Evans Scholarship chapters. The University of Illinois Chicago becomes the first ESF partner university that is also a Hispanic Serving Institution.

2021: WGA Caddie Academy for Young Women grows by adding a chapter in Seattle. The WGA expands its partnerships with UMD Golf Course in Maryland and Langston Golf Course in DC to establish youth caddie programs.

2018: The WGA Caddie Academy for Young Women grows with the addition of a chapter on the East Coast.

2017: WGA/ESF and Jackson Park Golf Course formalize a partnership that makes the municipal golf course on Chicago's south side the first in the city to have a WGA-subsidized youth caddie program, creating caddying opportunities for kids from the community.

2017: DEI Council is established, with two Evans Scholars Alumni taking leadership roles.

2016: The WGA Caddie Academy for Young Men (IL) is established.

2012: The WWGA & WGA announce partnership to co-host the Women’s Western Amateur and Women’s Western Junior championships.

2012: The WGA Caddie Academy for Young Women (Illinois) is established to address inequities in geographic and gender barriers to youth caddying.