Four Philadelphia-area student caddies earn full college scholarships

New J. Wood Platt Evans Scholars will begin school this fall

GLENVIEW, Ill. – Four students from the Philadelphia area were recently named recipients of the Platt Evans Scholarship, a full housing and tuition college grant awarded to golf caddies, following a selection meeting held on Feb. 7 at Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware.

The four awarded will begin college this fall as Platt Evans Scholars, with students expected to attend Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Decisions on awarded schools will be finalized by March 15.

The result of a partnership between the Western Golf Association’s Evans Scholars Foundation and the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust, Platt Evans Scholars are chosen based on showing a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character.

Joshua Boll of Lancaster is a senior at Manheim Township High School and intends to study accounting in college. “The summer before eighth grade, I started caddying at Lancaster Country Club, where my father has caddied for 23 years,” he says. “He encouraged me to start caddying at a young age to understand the value of work and to develop a work ethic, to earn and save money for the future, and to possibly earn this scholarship someday. Caddying has been an excellent opportunity for me to meet many interesting and influential people.”

Ronan Donaghy of Media is a senior at Penncrest High School and plans to study business. “My experience caddying and the membership at Rolling Green Golf Club have been sculpting me for the journey of college,” he says. “I look forward to the opportunity to pay it forward.”

Wyatt McCafferty of Folsom graduated from Ridley High School in 2023 and is currently enrolled at Penn State University, where he is studying biology. As a current college freshman, he has been awarded the Platt Evans Scholarship for three years. He caddied at The Springhaven Club. “From the moment I began caddying, I could tell the hardest workers got the most loops. That was daunting at first, but it inspired my work ethic and became one of the reasons I love caddying,” he says. “Each loop, I learn something new, like how to cater to certain members or how to read a specific green.”

Abigail Schmucker of Havertown is a senior at Haverford High School and plans to study nursing or biology. She caddied at Merion Golf Club. “As the first female caddie at my club, this job has helped me grow exponentially, not only as a caddie, but a person,” she says. “My people skills and networking abilities have flourished, and I am able to lead my life with a level of confidence that I previously did not have.”

“As the Chairwoman of J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust, I am thrilled to welcome our 2024 Platt Evans Scholars. Their academic excellence, community engagement, personal character and commitment to caddying reflects our mission and inspires our support,” says Tina Gregor, Chairwoman of J. Wood Platt.

“Our partnership with the Evans Scholars Foundation allows both organizations to combine our resources and empower hardworking youth caddies to earn a college education. Congratulations to the deserving recipients! We look forward to the continued success of our partnership and fulfilling our missions together."

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

Evans Scholars Selection Meeting interviews 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 this new group of student caddies to the family,” said WGA Chairman Steve Colnitis. “Their dedication in the classroom, on the golf course and in their communities represents what our Program has been about since 1930.”