Four seniors to attend leading universities in the fall

Four Pittsburgh-area students have been awarded the Evans Scholarship, a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies, following a final selection interview held at Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Jan. 15.
Each caddie has a unique story to tell, reflecting the scholarship’s four selection criteria: a strong caddie record; excellent academics; demonstrated financial need; and outstanding character. They will begin college in the fall of 2019 as Evans Scholars, with most recipients awarded to Penn State University in University Park. The Evans Scholarship is valued at an estimated $120,000 over four years. Winners are listed below and organized by hometown.

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

The selection meeting at Fox Chapel Golf Club was one of more than 20 such meetings the Evans Scholars Foundation will hold across the country through the spring. When the 2018-19 selection meeting process is completed by April, an estimated 280 caddies are expected to be awarded the Evans Scholarship.

The Western Golf Association, headquartered in Golf, 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 985 caddies are enrolled in 18 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 10,830 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.

“This group has 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 32,000 golfers across the country, who are members of the Evans Scholars Par Club program. Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $10 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.

Name  City High School Sponsoring Golf Club Awarded University
Joseph Drexler Erie McDowell HS The Kahkwa Club Penn State University
 Zachary Brown Fairview Fairview HS The Kahkwa Club Penn State University
 Braddock Lalor Pittsburgh Fox Chapel Area HS Fox Chapel Golf Club University of Michigan
 Victoria Slawinski Pittsburgh Bethel Park HS Oakmont Country Club Penn State University