Student caddie from Tucson Country Club awarded full college scholarship

New Evans Scholar will begin school this fall

GLENVIEW, Ill. – A youth caddie from Tucson Country Club in Tucson, Arizona, has been awarded the Evans Scholarship — a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies — following a selection meeting interview on Thursday, Dec. 21.

James Labukas of Tucson will begin college this fall as an Evans Scholar. He’ll attend one of the Program’s 24 partner universities nationwide, with a decision on his awarded school to be finalized by March 15. The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years.

The Western Golf Association (WGA), 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.

To qualify for the Evans Scholarship, each student must meet the Program’s four selection criteria and show a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character.

Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled at 24 universities as Evans Scholars, and more than 12,040 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the Program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.

Labukas, a senior at The Gregory School in Tucson, is the first youth caddie from Tucson Country Club to earn an Evans Scholarship in decades. Nine other caddies from the club have been awarded Evans Scholarships, back in the 1970s and 1980s. Several years ago, the club re-established its youth caddie efforts, with Labukas being the first scholarship recipient of the new program. Other students from local schools, including San Miguel High School, are currently caddying at the club and expected to apply for the Evans Scholarship over the next few years.

As the Evans Scholars Program continues to grow nationwide, more students from areas including Tucson and Phoenix are being introduced to the opportunity to caddie and potentially earn a full college scholarship. Currently, three caddies from Arizona – all who worked at Desert Forest Golf Club – are current Evans Scholars.

“We’re so excited to have our very first Evans Scholar in decades from Tucson Country Club,” said Steven Pearl, a WGA Director and former club President. “The momentum and excitement around youth caddying continues to build in this area, and we hope this can be an inspiration for other clubs to establish youth caddie programs.”

Labukas, who plans to major in business, was first introduced to the game of golf at age 10 by his grandfather. He became a participant of the First Tee of Tucson, which provided a second family as he experienced turmoil in his home and family life. 

“The golf course became a place where I could learn new life skills and be surrounded by people who cared about my future,” he says. “My involvement in caddying and golf - while watching my mom tackle the world with three kids - significantly shaped my desire to better myself and pursue my dreams.”

“James has not had the easiest life, but you would never know what he has gone through, because he is such a success story,” said Judy McDermott, Executive Director of the First Tee of Tucson. “He’s had to grow up very fast, and he is a wonderful kid, a very talented golfer and the first to come and help whenever we need anything. He makes a positive impression on absolutely everyone.”

Selection meeting interviews for Evans Scholar finalists will continue nationwide through spring. When the 2023-24 selection meeting process is complete, an estimated 340 caddies from across the country are expected to be awarded the Evans Scholarship.

“We are thrilled to welcome James to the Evans Scholars family,” said WGA Chairman Steve Colnitis. “His dedication in the classroom, on the golf course and in his community represents what our Program has been about since 1930.”

Funds for the Scholarship come mostly from contributions by more than 36,000 golfers across the country, who belong to 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, benefit the Program. In 2024, the BMW Championship will be held from Aug. 20-25 at Castle Pines Golf Club in the Denver area.