New class of Evans Scholars will begin school this fall
GLENVIEW, IL – More than one hundred and thirty students from the state of Illinois have been awarded the Evans Scholarship – a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies.
They will begin college this fall as Evans Scholars, attending one of the Program’s 24 partner universities nationwide. The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years. A full list of winners can be found 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.
“We are thrilled to welcome this newest class of student caddies from Illinois to the Evans Scholars family,” said WGA Chairman Steve Colnitis. “Their dedication in the classroom, on the golf course and in their community represents what our Program has been about since 1930.”
Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled at 24 universities nationwide as Evans Scholars – including 41 at Northwestern University, five at University of Chicago, 125 at the University of Illinois and 45 at the University of Illinois Chicago. 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. This year, the WGA celebrates the 125th anniversary of its founding in 1899.
Following the most recent selection meeting season, a record 340 caddies from across the country have been awarded the Evans Scholarship.
Some of the newly awarded Evans Scholars participated in the WGA Caddie Academy, a special summer program that provides caddie opportunities to promising high school students. With six chapters nationwide — including two in the Chicago area — the program offers students a chance to caddie each day, earn money, meet role models and learn valuable life lessons on the golf course. After completing three summers, participants are eligible to apply for the Evans Scholarship.
Funds for the Scholarship come mostly from contributions by more than 38,500 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.
|
First Name |
Last Name |
Hometown |
Sponsoring Club |
High School |
University |
|
Scott |
Roser |
Arlington Heights |
Twin Orchard CC |
Buffalo Grove HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Annika |
Johnson |
Aurora |
Cantigny Golf |
Illinois Math& Science Academy |
University of Minnesota |
|
Trayvonn |
Foster |
Beach Park |
Glen Flora CC |
Zion Benton Township HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Maxymilian |
Bis |
Bensenville |
Medinah CC |
Fenton HS |
University of Notre Dame |
|
Fernando |
Garnica |
Blue Island |
Midlothian CC |
Dwight D. Eisenhower HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Megan |
Lee |
Buffalo Grove |
Sunset Ridge CC |
Adlai E Stevenson HS |
Northwestern University |
|
David |
Sulnius * |
Buffalo Grove |
Royal Melbourne CC |
Adlai E Stevenson HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Caleb |
Ramirez |
Cary |
Crystal Lake CC |
Cary-Grove Community HS |
University of Iowa |
|
Brett |
Widlowski |
Channahon |
Ruth Lake CC |
Minooka Community HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Andres |
Andrade |
Chicago |
Sunset Ridge CC |
Brother Rice HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Sandin |
Avdic |
Chicago |
Bryn Mawr CC |
Chicago Waldorf School |
University of Chicago |
|
Sergel |
Berhane |
Chicago |
Lake Shore CC |
Saint Ignatius College Prep |
Northwestern University |
|
Brian |
Campoverde |
Chicago |
Ridgemoor CC |
Francis W. Parker School |
University of Michigan |
|
Amir |
Davis |
Chicago |
Knollwood Club |
Mount Carmel HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Anthony |
Garcia |
Chicago |
Beverly CC |
Jones College Prep HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Mauricio |
Garcia-Perez |
Chicago |
Briarwood CC |
Fenwick HS |
Marquette University |
|
Miles |
Gerster |
Chicago |
Oak Park CC |
Lane Tech College Prep HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Ava |
Gonzalez |
Chicago |
Park Ridge CC |
Illinois Math & Science Academy |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Noah |
Green ** |
Chicago |
Knollwood Club |
De La Salle Institute |
Howard University |
|
Ella |
Grillo |
Chicago |
Ridgemoor CC |
Regina Dominican HS |
Michigan State University |
|
Lily |
Grillo |
Chicago |
Ridgemoor CC |
Regina Dominican HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Geoffrey |
Heard |
Chicago |
Midlothian CC |
Urban Prep Charter Academy |
Howard University |
|
Gilbert |
Jacobi |
Chicago |
Ridgemoor CC |
Saint Ignatius College Prep |
Northwestern University |
|
Paul |
Kaczor |
Chicago |
Bryn Mawr CC |
Lane Tech College Prep HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Hannah |
Koker |
Chicago |
Evanston Golf Club |
The Culver Academies |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Jose |
Lemus |
Chicago |
Briarwood CC |
Marist HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Xitlally |
Llamas Estanquero |
Chicago |
Ridgemoor CC |
Pritzker College Prep |
University of Michigan |
|
Samson |
Madariso |
Chicago |
Evanston Golf Club |
Loyola Academy |
Northwestern University |
|
Emerson |
McGuire |
Chicago |
Beverly CC |
Marist HS |
Marquette University |
|
Isabella |
Molina ** |
Chicago |
Glen Club |
Lincoln Park HS |
University of Colorado |
|
Deana |
Oraz |
Chicago |
Oak Park CC |
Ogden International School |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Bella |
Ramirez |
Chicago |
Indian Hill Club |
Nazareth Academy |
Miami University |
|
Jessica |
Reardon |
Chicago |
Beverly CC |
Saint Ignatius College Prep |
University of Iowa |
|
Dylan |
Richard |
Chicago |
Oak Park CC |
Saint Patrick HS |
University of Kansas |
|
Volodymyr |
Sobko |
Chicago |
Ridgemoor CC |
Saint Ignatius College Prep |
Northwestern University |
|
Michael |
Sosna |
Chicago |
Ridgemoor CC |
Fenwick HS |
University of Chicago |
|
Isaac |
Soto ** |
Chicago |
Sunset Ridge CC |
Marist HS |
University of Wisconsin |
|
Ryan |
Walsh |
Chicago |
Beverly CC |
Mount Carmel HS |
University of Kansas |
|
Yahmani |
Dorsey |
Chicago Heights |
Olympia Fields CC |
Bloom HS |
University TBD |
|
Diego |
Morales |
Chicago Heights |
Olympia Fields CC |
Marian Catholic HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Armando |
Castro |
Cicero |
Onwentsia Club |
Fenwick HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Salome |
Diaz-Rojas |
Cicero |
River Forest CC |
Woodlands Academy |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Valery |
Espinoza |
Cicero |
Riverside Golf Club |
J Sterling Morton East HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Stefani |
Mejia-Gonzalez |
Cicero |
Riverside Golf Club |
J Sterling Morton East HS |
University of Notre Dame |
|
Jose Alan |
Sotelo * |
Cicero |
Skokie CC |
The School at Church Farm |
University of Kansas |
|
Alex |
Taboada |
Cicero |
La Grange CC |
J Sterling Morton East HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Jonathan |
Guyton |
CC Hills |
Flossmoor CC |
Hillcrest HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Destiny |
Ndubuisi-Obi |
CC Hills |
Jackson Park Golf Course |
Culver Academies |
Northwestern University |
|
Sean |
Raadsen |
Crystal Lake |
Crystal Lake CC |
Crystal Lake South HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Joseph |
Vanderwiel |
Crystal Lake |
Bull Valley Golf Club |
Prairie Ridge HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Thomas |
Remi |
Darien |
Edgewood Valley CC |
Hinsdale South HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Alexander |
Agalliu |
Des Plaines |
North Shore CC |
Loyola Academy |
Marquette University |
|
Gavin |
Dougherty * |
East Dundee |
Elgin CC |
Dundee-Crown HS |
Miami University |
|
Mercedes |
Erdemsoyol |
Elgin |
Skokie CC |
Central HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Nicholas |
Martinez |
Elgin |
Elgin CC |
South Elgin HS |
Marquette University |
|
Camila |
Arredondo |
Elmhurst |
River Forest CC |
York Community HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Abraham |
Caballero |
Elmhurst |
River Forest CC |
York Community HS |
University of Kansas |
|
Samuel |
Hemmersmeier |
Elmhurst |
Butterfield CC |
Montini Catholic HS |
University of Notre Dame |
|
Joseph |
Rinchiuso |
Elmhurst |
Butterfield CC |
York Community HS |
University of Chicago |
|
Camden |
Ey |
Evanston |
Evanston Golf Club |
Evanston Township HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Graham |
McKee |
Evanston |
Westmoreland CC |
Evanston Township HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Colin |
Kelly |
Evergreen Park |
Ridge CC |
Evergreen Park HS |
University of Kansas |
|
Jalen |
Allred-Coleman |
Flossmoor |
Olympia Fields CC |
Homewood-Flossmoor HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Steven |
Smith |
Frankfort |
Olympia Fields CC |
Lincoln-Way East HS |
Indiana University |
|
Lissette |
Garcia |
Glenview |
Evanston Golf Club |
Glenbrook South HS |
University TBD |
|
Samuel |
Zelinsky |
Glenview |
Sunset Ridge CC |
Glenbrook South HS |
University of Iowa |
|
Kamila |
Borek |
Harwood Heights |
Ridgemoor CC |
Ridgewood Community HS |
Indiana University |
|
Luis |
Solorio |
Hazel Crest |
Olympia Fields CC |
Thornwood HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Zachary |
Coren |
Highland Park |
Lake Shore CC |
Highland Park HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Marko |
Ivanisevic |
Hinsdale |
Ruth Lake CC |
Hinsdale Central HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Melanie |
Dunaway * |
Homer Glen |
Hinsdale Golf Club |
Lockport HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Kate |
Flemming |
Homer Glen |
Crystal Tree Golf & CC |
Lockport Township HS East |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
John |
Collins |
Huntley |
Crystal Lake CC |
Huntley HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Zachary |
Worwa |
Itasca |
Medinah CC |
Lake Park HS |
University of Wisconsin |
|
Gabriela |
Zych |
Itasca |
Medinah CC |
Lake Park HS |
Indiana University |
|
Lukas |
Phillips |
LaGrange Highlands |
Edgewood Valley CC |
Lyons Township HS North |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Scott |
Weston |
Lake Bluff |
Knollwood Club |
Lake Forest HS |
University of Colorado |
|
Hailey |
Baffico |
Libertyville |
Knollwood Club |
Libertyville HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Izrael |
Lopez |
Libertyville |
Merit Club |
Libertyville HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Gabrielle |
Walton |
Lombard |
Glen Oak CC |
Glenbard East HS |
University of Iowa |
|
Anthony |
Davis |
Maywood |
River Forest CC |
Lane Tech College Prep HS |
University of Michigan |
|
Caroline |
Leavy |
Maywood |
Oak Park CC |
Saint Ignatius College Prep |
Marquette University |
|
Gavin |
Cueto |
McHenry |
McHenry CC |
McHenry West HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Jacob |
Jensen |
McHenry |
Bull Valley Golf Club |
McHenry HS |
Northwestern University |
|
Joseph |
Colella |
Medinah |
Medinah CC |
Lake Park HS |
University of Iowa |
|
Kayla |
Gorski |
Melrose Park |
River Forest CC |
West Leyden HS |
University of Iowa |
|
Ricardo |
Avila |
Midlothian |
Midlothian CC |
Bremen HS |
University of Kansas |
|
Eli |
Avalos |
Minooka |
Midlothian CC |
Minooka Community HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Alexander |
Huscher |
Mokena |
Olympia Fields CC |
Lincoln-Way Central HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Adam |
Adaska |
Mundelein |
Ivanhoe Club |
Mundelein HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Sergio |
Rodriguez |
Mundelein |
Knollwood Club |
Mundelein HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Madison |
Nestoras |
Naperville |
Naperville CC |
Naperville Central HS |
University of Iowa |
|
Nicholas |
Oblazny |
Naperville |
Cantigny Golf |
Naperville North HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Karol |
Chmielewski |
Niles |
Bryn Mawr CC |
Niles West HS |
University of Michigan |
|
Matthew |
Vertucio |
Niles |
North Shore CC |
Maine East HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Stephanie |
Martinez |
Norridge |
Bryn Mawr CC |
Lane Tech College Prep HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Ethan |
Waldman * |
North Chicago |
Northmoor CC |
North Shore Country Day School |
Marquette University |
|
Nolan |
Lach |
North Riverside |
Riverside Golf Club |
Riverside Brookfield HS |
Purdue University |
|
Gianina |
Montoro |
North Riverside |
Chicago Highlands Club |
Nazareth Academy |
Purdue University |
|
Mark |
Genkin |
Northbrook |
Briarwood CC |
Glenbrook North HS |
University of Wisconsin |
|
Adam |
Lipnickas |
Northbrook |
Ravinia Green CC |
Glenbrook North HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Hugo |
Lechuga |
Northlake |
River Forest CC |
West Leyden HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Trenton |
Parker |
Oak Brook |
Chicago Highlands Club |
York Community HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Caden |
Culver |
Oak Forest |
Olympia Fields CC |
Victor J Andrew HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Timothy |
Farrell |
Oak Forest |
Midlothian CC |
Oak Forest HS |
University of Iowa |
|
Delaney |
Lim |
Oak Forest |
Midlothian CC |
Victor J Andrew HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Eoin |
Burke |
Oak Lawn |
Beverly CC |
Oak Lawn Community HS |
University TBD |
|
Delia |
McKirdie |
Oak Lawn |
Beverly CC |
Harold L Richards HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Hannah |
Stepek |
Oak Lawn |
Ridge CC |
Mother McAuley HS |
University of Kansas |
|
Emma |
Gudenau |
Orland Park |
Prestwick CC |
Mother McAuley HS |
University of Minnesota |
|
Savanna |
Manning |
Orland Park |
Crystal Tree Golf & CC |
Carl Sandburg HS |
Ohio State University |
|
Robert |
Rutledge |
Orland Park |
Midlothian CC |
Brother Rice HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Daniel |
Gallagher |
Palos Park |
Midlothian CC |
Marist HS |
University of Iowa |
|
Oscar |
Aponte |
Park city |
Skokie CC |
Warren Township HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Jack |
Conway |
Park Ridge |
Park Ridge CC |
Maine South HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Beatrice |
Poindexter |
Park Ridge |
Park Ridge CC |
Maine South HS |
Indiana University |
|
Andrea |
Orozco |
Posen |
Edgewood Valley CC |
Bremen HS |
Northwestern University |
|
Owen |
Uppinghouse |
Quincy |
Quincy CC |
Quincy Senior HS |
University of Missouri |
|
Holden |
Sullivan |
River Forest |
Oak Park CC |
Oak Park & River Forest HS |
University of Minnesota |
|
Julia |
Kamysz |
Roselle |
Medinah CC |
Lake Park HS |
University of Notre Dame |
|
Matthew |
O'Brien |
Roselle |
Medinah CC |
James B. Conant HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Joseph |
O'Brien |
Roselle |
Medinah CC |
James B. Conant HS |
University of Illinois Champaign |
|
Mason |
Morawski * |
Sleepy Hollow |
Biltmore CC |
Dundee-Crown HS |
University of Iowa |
|
Aranzazu |
Munoz |
South Holland |
Olympia Fields CC |
Thornwood HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Christopher |
Munoz |
South Holland |
Olympia Fields CC |
Thornwood HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Jonathan |
Vandermeir |
Streamwood |
Inverness Golf Club |
Schaumburg Christian HS |
University of Missouri |
|
Ingrid |
Quinteros |
Vernon Hills |
Ravinia Green CC |
Adlai E Stevenson HS |
Marquette University |
|
Alexandra |
Manrriquez ** |
Waukegan |
Ivanhoe Club |
Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep |
Marquette University |
|
Mya |
Weatherspoon ** |
Waukegan |
Ivanhoe Club |
Cristo Rey St. Martin College Prep |
Howard University |
|
Charles |
McKerr |
Western Springs |
La Grange CC |
Lyons Township HS North |
University of Kansas |
|
Salvador |
Rodriguez |
Westmont |
Hinsdale Golf Club |
Westmont HS |
University of Illinois Chicago |
|
Colin |
Ryan |
Wheeling |
Rolling Green CC |
Prospect HS |
University of Notre Dame |
|
John |
Pope |
Willowbrook |
Butterfield CC |
Hinsdale Central HS |
University of Iowa |
|
Logan |
Dubansky |
Wilmette |
Westmoreland CC |
New Trier HS |
University of Minnesota |
|
* Awarded the Evans Scholarship for three years as they are currently a freshman in college. |
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** WGA Caddie Academy participant. |
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