Three Cristo Rey Philadelphia caddies earn full scholarships

Finalists interviewed at Llanerch Country Club in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA – Three students from Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School been awarded the Evans Scholarship, a prestigious full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies, following a selection interview held at Llanerch Country Club in Philadelphia on Feb. 12.

Each caddie has a unique story, which reflects the scholarship’s four criteria: a strong caddie record; excellent academics; demonstrated financial need; and outstanding character. They’ll begin college this fall as Evans Scholars at Penn State University. The Evans Scholarship is valued at an estimated $120,000 over four years.

Kayla Marrero and Treasure Owens, both of Philadelphia, and Enaura-Celia Aka, of Lansdowne, were all participants of the Caddie Academy, a special summer program of the Western Golf Association that provides caddie opportunities to students from underprivileged areas. They participated in the seven-week program, held in the Chicago area each summer, for the past three years, all caddying at Skokie Country Club.

“Each of these deserving young women epitomizes what our Program has been about since its creation in 1930,” said WGA Chairman Kevin Buggy. “Their dedication, hard work and sacrifice is humbling, and we are honored to be able to help them pursue their dreams.”

The selection meeting in Philadelphia 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 women all 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.