Group of 13 student caddies from Minnesota earn full college scholarships

New Scholars will begin school this fall

GLENVIEW, Ill. – Thirteen students from the state of Minnesota have been awarded the Evans Scholarship — a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies — following selection meeting interviews held at Interlachen Country Club in Edina, Minnesota, on Jan. 13.

The students will begin college in the fall of 2026 as Evans Scholars, with most expected to attend the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. Final university placements will be determined this spring. The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years. A full list of recipients is included below.

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.

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.

Currently, a record 1,260 caddies are enrolled at 27 universities across the country as Evans Scholars, including 49 at Minnesota. More than 12,575 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the Program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. in 1930.

“Minnesota’s caddie community continues to produce exceptional young leaders, and these students exemplify the dedication and perseverance the Evans Scholarship was built to reward,” said John Hallberg, a WGA Director and Minnesota State Chair. “Their dedication and resilience give us great confidence in the impact they will make long after graduation.”

Selection meeting interviews will continue nationwide through spring, and additional caddies from the state of Minnesota could be awarded. By the end of the 2025-26 selection process, an estimated 380 caddies from across the country are expected to receive 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 96 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 43,500 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 2026, the BMW Championship will be held at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, from Aug. 18-23.

Below is a full list of recent winners with awarded universities to be finalized by spring.