Full college scholarship awarded to Kansas City area caddie

Finalist interviewed at Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills, Kansas

GLENVIEW, IL – Kansas City-area student Colby Unruh has been awarded the Evans Scholarship, a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies, following a final selection interview held at Indian Hills Country Club in Mission Hills, Kansas, on Feb. 6.

He has a unique story, which reflects the scholarship’s four selection criteria: a strong caddie record; excellent academics; demonstrated financial need; and outstanding character.

He will begin college in the fall of 2020 as an Evans Scholar at the University of Kansas. The Evans Scholarship is valued at an estimated $120,000 over four years.

Colby, who lives in Overland Park, caddied at Indian Hills Country Club and has been homeschooled. “I enjoyed caddying so much that I have chosen to continue doing it throughout high school and have met many great people while doing so,” he said. “Being a part of the Evans Scholars community, I’ll have the unique opportunity to learn to know myself and others better as we live and work together.”

“Colby epitomizes what our Program has been about since its creation in 1930,” said WGA Chairman Kevin Buggy. “His dedication, hard work and sacrifice is humbling, and we are honored to be able to help him pursue his dreams.”

The selection meeting in Kansas City was one of more than 20 such meetings the Evans Scholars Foundation will hold across the country through the spring. When the 2019-20 selection meeting process is completed by April, an estimated 285 caddies are expected to be awarded the Evans Scholarship.

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

Currently, a record 1,010 caddies are enrolled in 18 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 11,050 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.

“These young students have shown excellence in the classroom and in their communities, as well as on the golf course,” said John Kaczkowski, WGA President and CEO.

Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by 32,500 golfers across the country, who are members of the Evans Scholars Par Club program. Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $14 million annually, and all proceeds from the BMW Championship, the third of four PGA TOUR Playoff events in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup competition, are donated to the Evans Scholars Foundation.