Finalists interviewed at Union League Club in New York City

Long Island, NY – Three caddies from Long Island have been awarded the Long Island Evans Scholarship, a prestigious full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies, following a final selection interview held at Union League Club in New York City on Feb. 11.

The result of a partnership between the Western Golf Association’s Evans Scholars Foundation and the Long Island Caddie Scholarship Fund, Long Island Evans Scholars are chosen based on showing a strong caddie record, excellent academics, financial need and outstanding character. Candidates must meet the qualifications of both organizations in order to earn the scholarship. 

Each caddie will begin college this fall as Long Island Evans Scholars at leading universities nationwide. The Evans Scholarship is valued at an estimated $120,000 over four years.

Brigham Hancock of Southampton caddied at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton and is a senior at Southampton High School. He plans to attend the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. “Caddying has helped me to obtain a larger perspective of the world around me and has contributed to building of my identity,” he said.

David Ouellette of Baldwin caddied at Garden City Golf Club in Garden City and is a senior at Long Island Lutheran High School in Brookville. He was awarded the scholarship to The Ohio State University. “My time caddying has allowed me to meet and work with people from all walks of life,” he said. “This unique perspective has educated me to life experiences that I would not have been exposed without the golf club. Golf and caddying have been an integral part of my family’s life.”

Camden Sisler of Wading River caddied at Friar’s Head in Riverhead and is a senior at Shoreham-Wading River High School. He plans to attend Northwestern University in Illinois. “Ever since I started caddying, more doors have opened for me than I thought possible. I have learned what it truly means to work hard. I know it will pay off in my future, and I will adjust to any situation and continue to make my own path in life,” he said.

“These deserving students have shown dedication, hard work and sacrifice, and we are honored to help them pursue their dreams of a college education,” said WGA Chairman Kevin Buggy.

The selection meeting in New York 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. “We welcome them to the Evans Scholars family.”

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.