New Scholars will begin school this fall
GLENVIEW, Ill. – Fifteen students from the state of Colorado have been awarded the Evans Scholarship — a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies — following selection meeting interviews held at Denver Country Club on Jan. 14 and 15.
The students will begin college in the fall of 2026 as Evans Scholars, with most expected to attend the University of Colorado in Boulder. 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.
“These students exemplify the dedication, perseverance and character that define an Evans Scholar,” said Todd Gervasini, a WGA Director and Colorado State Chair. “Colorado’s caddie programs continue to create remarkable opportunities for young people, and we’re proud to support these students as they take this next step toward a college education.”
Currently, a record 1,260 caddies are enrolled at 27 universities across the country as Evans Scholars, including 45 at the University of Colorado. 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.
Selection meeting interviews will continue nationwide through spring. 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.
|
First Name |
Last Name |
Hometown |
Sponsoring Club |
High School |
|
Shalom |
Mathewos |
Aurora |
Sankaty Head GC (MA) |
Grandview HS |
|
Vanessa |
Olivar Solares |
Aurora |
Denver CC |
William Smith HS |
|
Dylan |
Johnston |
Basalt |
Roaring Fork Club |
Basalt HS |
|
Brooke |
Fullerton |
Carbondale |
Roaring Fork Club |
Roaring Fork HS |
|
Javier |
Hernandez |
Carbondale |
Roaring Fork Club |
Basalt HS |
|
Matthew |
Harfert |
Colorado Springs |
Broadmoor GC |
Coronado HS |
|
Aria |
King |
Colorado Springs |
Broadmoor GC |
Cheyenne Mountain HS |
|
Tristan |
King |
Colorado Springs |
Broadmoor GC |
Cheyenne Mountain HS |
|
Vivian |
Garcia |
Denver |
Denver CC |
Forge Christian HS |
|
Lucia |
McCracken |
Denver |
Cherry Hills CC |
Regis Jesuit HS |
|
Levi |
Wooldridge |
Denver |
Castle Pines GC |
Mullen HS |
|
Brandon |
Bustillos Diaz |
Holyoke |
Ballyneal Golf & Hunt Club |
Holyoke Senior HS |
|
Jeffery |
Armstrong |
Parker |
Meridian GC |
Chaparral HS |
|
Krew |
Averett |
Parker |
Colorado GC |
Lutheran HS |
|
Mindzie |
Madsen |
Parker |
Colorado GC |
Lutheran HS |