Evans Scholars Foundation receives a $225,000 contribution from Chevron
MEDINAH, IL – The Evans Scholars Foundation is proud to announce that it has received a $225,000 contribution from Chevron, the result of the Chevron Challenge that took place during the Gardner Heidrick Pro-Am on Wednesday, Aug. 15, during the 2019 BMW Championship week at Medinah Country Club.
The Chevron Challenge awarded $1,000 for each amateur who hit the green on the par-3 13th hole at Medinah during the Pro-Am. Sixty-four players hit the green, resulting in a contribution of $64,000 to the Evans Scholars Foundation, which Chevron generously rounded up to $100,000.
When an amateur player on the tee asked what Chevron would do if a player recorded a hole-in-one on 13, Evans Scholars representative Jerry Dudek suggested sponsorship of an Endowed Named Evans Scholarship. Chevron Vice President and General Counsel Hewitt Pate, who was representing the company at the event, happily agreed and the two shook hands on the deal.
Just over an hour later, PGA TOUR player Charles Howell III completed the story, holing out from the 245-yard professional tees. Howell III’s hole-in-one, and the resulting contribution from Chevron, will enable the Evans Scholars Foundation to award a full tuition and housing college scholarship to a young caddie who is interested in entering an STEM field after graduation.
“Chevron strives to make quick decisions when we see an opportunity, and this was obviously a great one,” said Pate. “We want to congratulate Charles Howell III on his incredible shot, and also thank all the amateur partners who helped us support the Evans Scholars Foundation. Because of their great performance on the course, a hardworking student will now have an opportunity to excel in the classroom and prepare for a successful career.” Combined with its initial commitment in the Chevron Challenge, the Chevron STEM Scholarship resulting from Howell’s ace brought Chevron’s total contribution in support of Evans Scholars to $225,000.
The Evans Scholars Foundation provides full college scholarships to young caddies with strong academic records. Many Evans Scholars are first-generation college students, and all have significant financial need. As a group, Evans Scholars maintain a cumulative 3.3 GPA and graduate at a rate of 95 percent. This fall, a record 1,010 Evans Scholars are attending 18 leading universities nationwide. The Evans Scholars Program has helped more than 11,500 young men and women earn degrees and start successful careers since it was founded in 1930.
“We are extremely grateful for the support Chevron has shown the Evans Scholars Program,” said John Kaczkowski, President and CEO of the Western Golf Association and Evans Scholars Foundation. “The Chevron Endowed Named Evans Scholarship will give a deserving young caddie the life-changing opportunity of a college education. Chevron’s generosity is helping us continue the important work we’re doing nationwide.”