More than 135 Chicago-area caddies earn Evans Scholarship

Students will begin school as Evans Scholars this fall

GLENVIEW, Ill. – More than 135 students from the Chicago area have been awarded the Evans Scholarship — a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies.

This fall, they will begin college as Evans Scholars, attending one of the program’s 28 leading universities nationwide. The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years. 

The Western Golf Association (WGA), headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, has supported the Chick Evans Scholarship Program through the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF) since 1930. Known as one of golf’s favorite charities, it is the nation’s largest scholarship program for caddies.

To qualify for the Evans Scholarship, students must meet the Program’s four selection criteria, demonstrating a strong caddie record, outstanding academics, financial need and exceptional character.

“Each year, it is inspiring to see so many deserving young caddies from the Chicago area earn the Evans Scholarship through their hard work on the golf course, in the classroom and in their communities,” said WGA Chairman J. Andrew Langan. “This record class reflects the strength of the caddie programs at clubs across Chicagoland and the life-changing opportunities the Evans Scholarship makes possible.”

Currently, a record 1,260 caddies are enrolled at 27 universities across the country as Evans Scholars. 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.

The Chicago group is part of a record class of 380 caddies from across the country who have been awarded the Evans Scholarship.

Some of the newly awarded Evans Scholars participated in the WGA Caddie Academy, a special summer program that provides caddie opportunities to promising high school students. With seven chapters nationwide — including two in the Chicago area — the program offers students a chance to caddie each day, earn money, meet role models and learn valuable life lessons on the golf course. After completing three summers, participants are eligible to apply for 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.