Youth caddie programs in Texas expand opportunities for young people

Youth caddie momentum grows across Texas

GLENVIEW, Ill. – The Western Golf Association (WGA) is working to expand youth caddie opportunities across the state of Texas, partnering with golf clubs, alumni and community organizations to introduce more young people to the game and to the opportunity to earn a life-changing Evans Scholarship.

The WGA oversees the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF), which awards full housing and tuition college scholarships to promising caddies with financial need. As momentum builds across Texas, organization leaders are working to create more opportunities for young people to caddie, gain valuable work experience and develop skills that can help lead them toward the Evans Scholarship.

“Texas has been an area of focus for years, and we are now seeing real momentum at clubs throughout the state,” said Mike Costello, a WGA Director and Evans Scholar Alum. “With strong backing from club leaders and partners like The First Tee, we are creating meaningful opportunities for young people to work hard, grow in confidence and see all the benefits of caddying.”

Among the fastest-growing program efforts is at BraeBurn Country Club in Houston, where 10 young people are currently participating in the club’s youth caddie program. BraeBurn’s effort has been spearheaded by club member Art Ensley, a WGA Director and Evans Scholar Alum, with support from a member ambassador group that helps promote the program, mentor students and assist with logistics.

Initial training has been provided by local Alumni and the WGA’s Brandon Rogers, with instruction taking place both online and on the course. BraeBurn’s golf staff also has provided additional hands-on training, while the club’s membership, staff and management have played an important role in supporting the program’s early growth.

“For me, the Evans Scholarship was life-changing, and helping grow youth caddie programs is an opportunity to give back,” Ensley said. “We want these young people to have the same kind of opportunity to learn, work and build toward something bigger. It has also been rewarding to see our members, staff and club leadership step up to support the program and help these students succeed.”

BraeBurn will host a caddie and parent meeting on Sunday, May 3, to further engage families and strengthen the commitment of participating caddies. Ensley, Costello, BraeBurn golf staff and club management will help lead the meeting, underscoring the important role parents can play in supporting young people as they begin caddying.

The growing momentum also was highlighted recently during The Chevron Championship, played at Memorial Park Golf Course in Houston, where the ESF served as a community partner. The event helped raise funds and awareness in support of youth caddie opportunities in Texas, with strong backing from Chevron and local supporters.

Other clubs in the Houston area are also making significant progress. Pine Forest Country Club in northwest Houston launched its program just two months ago and already has nine young people participating. Like BraeBurn, the students were sourced through The First Tee and trained with support from Rogers and local Alumni. Club member John Ranslem is also helping build awareness and support for the program through a planned Caddie Highlight Day.

Lakeside Country Club in west Houston is also gaining momentum, with seven young people already participating, while Austin Golf Club continues to build its youth caddie program. In Fort Worth, Colonial Country Club is in its second season with caddies and is continuing to build momentum with a growing group of participants. The WGA also is exploring additional opportunities to launch youth caddie programs at other clubs across Texas.

The momentum in Texas comes on the heels of the state’s first Evans Scholar in recent history being awarded two years ago. Ashley Garcia was the first youth caddie from Dallas to earn an Evans Scholarship and the third overall from the state, with the last recipient earning an Evans Scholarship in the 1960s.

In addition to club-based growth, the WGA will host three Alumni golf events this fall in Austin, Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth. Proceeds will support both general scholarship funding and local youth caddie efforts across Texas. The WGA is also exploring potential university partnerships in Texas so future Evans Scholars from the state may one day have the opportunity to attend college closer to home.