Three students from South Carolina earn Evans Scholarships

Evans Scholars will be part of inaugural class at South Carolina

GLENVIEW, Ill. – Three student caddies from the state of South Carolina have been awarded the Evans Scholarship — a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies — following a selection meeting interview held virtually on Feb. 26.

DJ Bookard of North Augusta, Simon McAlister of Beaufort, and Benton Orr of Aiken, will begin college as Evans Scholars this fall, part of the inaugural Evans Scholars class at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. The Evans 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 newer areas, including Charleston, Aiken and throughout South Carolina, are being introduced to the opportunity to caddie and earn a full college scholarship.

In 2023, WGA Director Nick Schreiber helped launch a youth caddie program at his new club, Old Barnwell. The mission-based club in Aiken quickly saw its participation in the program soar, with more than 150 local youth caddying regularly on weekends. Bookard and Orr are the first caddies from Old Barnwell to be awarded the Evans Scholarship.

“Old Barnwell and our community of members could not be more excited for DJ and Benton,” Schreiber said. “We hope they are just the tip of the iceberg as we continue to develop and enhance our growing youth caddie program with the support of the Western Golf Association and Evans Scholars Foundation.”

Bookard, who is currently studying biology as a college freshman, has been awarded the Evans Scholarship for three years. He hopes to pursue a career in dentistry.

“Caddying has taught me how to communicate with a multitude of people, all at different points in their lives with various careers,” said Bookard. “The beauty of golf is truly the camaraderie and the escape. There is a place for everyone in the game, and I have been beyond blessed to have worked for Old Barnwell, where everybody only wants to uplift and inspire me to do my best work.”

Orr, a senior at Aiken High School, plans to study political science. He was introduced to golf through his local First Tee chapter. “I always enjoyed sports and was the type of kid who wanted to be outside, so caddying was a perfect job for me,” said Orr. “I want to go to college to provide a stable and comfortable life for me and my future family.”

McAlister, who currently attends a local community college, has also been awarded the Evans Scholarship for three years. He is a first-generation college student studying business. He caddied at Secession Golf Club in Beaufort, the second caddie from his club to be awarded the Evans Scholarship.

“In addition to improved communication skills, caddying has taught me life lessons in accountability, appreciation and dependability,” said McAlister. “As the youngest caddie at Secession by around 10 years, many of my fellow caddies and golfers were able to share advice that ultimately helped shape my future.”

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.

When the 2024-25 Evans Scholars selection meeting process is complete, an estimated 360 caddies from across the country are expected to be awarded the Evans Scholarship.

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.

“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 DJ, Simon and Benton to the Evans Scholars family.”

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.