First student caddie from the Golf Club of Purchase earns full scholarship to college

New Evans Scholar will begin school this fall

GLENVIEW, Ill. – A student caddie from The Golf Club of Purchase in Harrison, N.Y., has been awarded the Evans Scholarship – a full housing and tuition college scholarship for deserving caddies – following selection interviews held virtually on Dec. 13.

Miguel Mena of New York City will begin college this fall as an Evans Scholar, attending one of the Program’s 24 partner universities across the nation. His awarded school will be finalized this spring. The scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years.

To qualify, students must meet the Program’s four selection criteria and show a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character.

The Western Golf Association (WGA), headquartered in Glenview, Ill., oversees the Evans Scholars Program. Recently recognized as the Scholarship Provider of the Year by the National Scholarship Providers Association, the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF) is one of golf’s favorite charities and the nation’s largest scholarship program for caddies.

As the Evans Scholars Program continues to grow nationwide, more students from the East Coast, including throughout New York, are being offered an opportunity to caddie and potentially earn a full college scholarship.

“The Golf Club of Purchase is proud of Miguel’s growth and leadership on the golf course and in our community,” said WGA Director and Golf Club of Purchase member Steve Molo. “We look forward to watching him flourish as an Evans Scholar and hope his journey inspires even more students to pursue this life-changing path.”

Mena, who is a senior at Cristo Rey New York High School, is the first caddie from The Golf Club of Purchase to be awarded the Evans Scholarship. He is a first-generation college student and plans to study business.

He initially started caddying to help his family financially and continued the job for the networking opportunities it provided. “Caddying taught me incredible life skills that are rare to develop at a young age – my favorite being conversations with the members,” he said. “Hearing their stories taught me how to network and build my communication skills.”

“Miguel’s success shows the power of this program,” said Golf Club of Purchase Director of Golf Carl Alexander. “With support from our membership, fellow caddies and professional staff, Miguel learned not only how to caddie, but how to engage with members and enhance their rounds. Miguel learned important hospitality and communication skills and has become an inspiration to everyone at our Club. We are excited to be part of Miguels future growth and success.”

Currently, a record 1,190 caddies are enrolled at 24 universities across the country as Evans Scholars. More than 12,285 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the Program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. in 1930.

Evans Scholar selection meeting interviews will continue nationwide through the winter. When the 2024-25 selection meeting process is complete, an estimated 360 caddies from across the country are expected to be awarded the Evans Scholarship.

“Since our founding, our Program has changed the lives of young caddies who have proven their dedication in the classroom, on the golf course and in their communities,” said WGA Chairman Steve Colnitis. “We are proud to welcome Miguel to the Evans Scholars family.”

Evans Scholars have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 and a 98 percent graduation rate. An estimated 40 percent are first-generation college students, and 95 percent are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduating.

Funds for the Evans Scholarship come mostly from contributions by more than 36,000 supporters across the country, who are members of 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 Evans Scholars Foundation. In 2025, the BMW Championship will be held at Caves Valley Golf Club near Baltimore, Md., from Aug. 12-17.