Digital investment advisor to donate for every birdie from PGA TOUR star
GLENVIEW, Ill. – The Evans Scholars Foundation and leading digital investment advisor Betterment have announced a new partnership, giving youth caddies nationwide a rooting interest this PGA TOUR season.
Betterment is pledging to donate $50 to the Foundation for every birdie made by rising PGA TOUR star and Betterment ambassador Michael Thorbjornsen (known on the TOUR as Thor), starting at this week's Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches and ending with the 3M Open on July 24-27. The initiative will support the Foundation's mission of awarding full tuition and housing college scholarships to deserving youth caddies.
"At Betterment, we believe in the power of education to change lives," said Sarah Levy, CEO of Betterment. "Through the Evans Scholars Foundation, young men and women can translate their hard work into an opportunity to pursue a college degree. We're thrilled to support this mission by turning Michael Thorbjornsen's success on the course into support for scholarships that will change lives. Let’s go, Thor!"
Established in 1930 by famed amateur golfer Charles "Chick" Evans Jr. and the Western Golf Association, the Evans Scholars Foundation is supporting 1,190 Evans Scholars at 24 leading universities nationwide this year. More than 12,285 men and women have graduated as Evans Scholars since 1930.
Betterment was the presenting sponsor of the Foundation's annual Birdie Ball event in Chicago on Feb. 21 and will sponsor the 2025 Western Amateur at Skokie Country Club in Glencoe, Illinois, on July 28-Aug. 2.
"We're proud to partner with Betterment and with Michael Thorbjornsen on this initiative," said John Kaczkowski, WGA President and CEO. "Caddying is more than a summer job — it's an opportunity. Every birdie made will help us reach more youth caddies and further our mission to develop the next generation of leaders."
Thorbjornsen won the 2021 Western Amateur at Glen View Club in Golf, Illinois, in his debut performance, earning medalist honors as well as the George R. Thorne Trophy. In doing so, he joined Western Amateur champions like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods and forged a deep connection to the WGA and the Foundation.
"I've seen firsthand the incredible work of the Evans Scholars Foundation and the difference it makes not just for youth caddies, but for their families," Thorbjornsen said. "Knowing that every birdie I make will contribute to this cause is incredibly motivating, and I'm grateful to Betterment for supporting such an important effort."