Eleven caddies from Colorado earn full college scholarships

New Scholars will begin school this fall

GLENVIEW, IL – Eleven students from the state of Colorado have been awarded the Evans Scholarship – a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies – following a final selection meeting interview at Cherry Hills Country Club in Cherry Hills, Colorado, on Jan. 18.

They will begin college this fall as Evans Scholars, with most expected to attend the University of Colorado in Boulder. Decisions on awarded schools will be finalized by March 15. The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years. Winners are listed below.

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 nationwide – including 57 at the University of Colorado in Boulder – as Evans Scholars. More than 12,040 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the Program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. in 1930.

“We are thrilled to welcome this new group of student caddies to the Evans Scholars 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.”

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.

Funds for the Scholarship come mostly from contributions by more than 36,000 supporters 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. The 2023 BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club in Olympia Fields, Illinois, raised $5.5 million for caddie scholarships.

This year, the BMW Championship will be held from Aug. 20-25 at Castle Pines Golf Club in the Denver area. Castle Pines members and WGA Directors George and Duffy Solich are leading the effort on this end, and both are Evans Scholars Alumni. In addition to having a more than $30 million economic impact on the Denver metro area, the event will play a vital philanthropic role by introducing more golfers and fans to the ESF and its mission.

The BMW Championship has contributed $50 million to the Foundation since 2007, helping award full tuition and housing college scholarships to more than 3,300 caddies during that time. Nine caddies from Castle Pines have earned the Evans Scholarship, including two current Evans Scholars at CU.

“Castle Pines Golf Club has long been a tremendous supporter of youth caddies and of the Evans Scholars Foundation,” said WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski. “This is an excellent opportunity to showcase this beautiful club and our shared efforts to reach more deserving young caddies.”

A list of winners can be found below.

*Awarded the Evans Scholarship for three years as they are currently a freshman in college.