Finalists interviewed at Sunset Country Club

GLENVIEW, Ill. – Three students from St. Louis have been awarded the Evans Scholarship – a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies – following a final selection meeting interview held at Sunset Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, on Jan. 26.

Each caddie has a unique story that reflects the scholarship’s four selection criteria: a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character.

All three will begin college this fall as Evans Scholars, attending the University of Missouri in Colombia. The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years.

“Each student has demonstrated excellence in the classroom, on the golf course and in their communities,” said Western Golf Association Chairman Joe Desch. “We are thrilled for them to join an exceptional class of newly awarded Evans Scholars from across the nation.”

Grant Bader caddied at Sunset Country Club and is currently a senior at Oakville Senior High School. In college, he plans to study civil engineering.

“The game of golf has taught me important life lessons. It requires a good work ethic, strong drive to succeed and the value of sportsmanship,” he says. “As a caddie, I have been able to observe others play the game and how they manage the course. I have also learned how the game is much more than just the fun of playing 18 holes.”

Samuel Bahr caddied at Algonquin Golf Club and attended Affton High School. He was awarded the Evans Scholarship for three years, as he is currently a freshman at Missouri studying business.

“When I started caddying at age 13, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I soon realized not only did I love it, but I could achieve things I never thought I would,” he says. “I formed relationships with the members and my fellow caddies, who are still some of my biggest mentors and closest friends today.”

Anthony Hessee caddied at Greenbriar Hills Country Club and is currently a senior at Lindbergh Senior High School. In college, he plans to study finance.

“When I started caddying at 14, I did not possess a lot of knowledge about golf, but I became fascinated by it immediately,” he says. “Throughout my time on the course, I have learned a lot about the game but plenty more about people. I have learned a great deal about manners, eye contact and proper communication. Caddying has helped me step out of my comfort zone.”

Evans Scholars selection meeting interviews will continue nationwide through the spring. When the 2022-23 selection meeting process is complete, an estimated 325 caddies are expected to be awarded the Evans Scholarship.

The Western Golf Association, headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, has supported the Chick Evans Scholarship Program through the Evans Scholars Foundation since 1930. Known as one of golf’s favorite charities, it is the nation’s largest scholarship program for caddies.

Currently, a record 1,100 caddies are enrolled at 22 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 11,800 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.

“These young students represent what our Program has been about since 1930,” said WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski. “We are proud to welcome them to the Evans Scholars family.”

Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by nearly 36,000 supporters 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 penultimate PGA TOUR Playoff event in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup competition, are donated to the Evans Scholars Foundation. In 2023, the BMW Championship will be held at Olympia Fields Country Club in Illinois, from Aug. 17-20.