Students will begin college this fall as Evans Scholars
GLENVIEW, Ill. – Thirty students from the state of Michigan have been awarded the Evans Scholarship, a prestigious full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies, following an online selection interview held Jan. 7.
Each caddie has a unique story, 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 2021 as Evans Scholars, attending either Michigan State University or University of Michigan, where they will live in the Evans Scholarship House. The Evans Scholarship is valued at an estimated $120,000 over four years. Below is a complete list of winners.
“Each of these deserving young students 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 held via Zoom was one of more than 20 such meetings the Evans Scholars Foundation is holding virtually across the country through the spring. When the 2020-21 selection meeting process is completed by April, an estimated 300 caddies nationwide 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 1,045 caddies are enrolled in 19 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 11,320 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.
“These young students 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 $15 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. In 2021, the BMW Championship will be held at Caves Valley Golf Club from Aug. 23-29.
This year’s Michigan winners are listed below.
|
Name |
City |
High School |
Sponsoring Club |
Awarded University |
|
Michael McGrath |
Beverly Hills |
Everest Academy |
Birmingham CC |
Michigan State University |
|
Timothy Nelson |
Bloomfield Hills |
Brother Rice High School |
Oakland Hills CC |
University of Michigan |
|
John Nelson |
Bloomfield Hills |
Brother Rice High School |
Oakland Hills CC |
University of Michigan |
|
Donna Proctor* |
Bloomfield Township |
West Bloomfield High School |
Forest Lake CC |
Michigan State University |
|
Jordan Fansler |
Chelsea |
Chelsea High School |
Barton Hills CC |
University of Michigan |
|
Billy Morris |
Commerce Township |
Walled Lake Northern HS |
Edgewood CC |
University of Michigan |
|
Jacob Bush |
Davisburg |
Holly High School |
Franklin Hills CC |
Michigan State University |
|
Christyanna Griffin |
Detroit |
Cass Technical High School |
CC of Detroit |
Michigan State University |
|
Cameron Henry |
Detroit |
Detroit Cristo Rey High School |
Detroit Golf Club |
University of Michigan |
|
Bianca Holsey |
Detroit |
Cass Technical High School |
CC of Detroit |
Michigan State University |
|
Melvin Thomas* |
Farmington Hills |
North Farmington High School |
Plum Hollow CC |
Michigan State University |
|
Daniel Newbold |
Frankfort |
Frankfort High School |
Crystal Downs CC |
Michigan State University |
|
Charles Klatt |
Grosse Pointe Woods |
Grosse Pointe North HS |
CC of Detroit |
University of Michigan |
|
Jeremiah Bethke |
Harbor Springs |
Concord Academy |
Wequetonsing GC |
Michigan State University |
|
Brendan Blood |
Jackson |
Jackson High School |
CC of Jackson |
Michigan State University |
|
Joseph McComb |
Livonia |
Catholic Central High School |
Western G & CC |
Michigan State University |
|
Conner Wilczewski |
Novi |
Walled Lake Northern HS |
Red Run GC |
Michigan State University |
|
Mario Migaldi |
Okemos |
Okemos High School |
CC of Lansing |
University of Michigan |
|
Jacob Patterson* |
Redford |
Clarenceville High School |
Western G & CC |
Michigan State University |
|
Olivia Howell-Hummel |
Rockford |
Rockford High School |
Blythefield CC |
University of Michigan |
|
Briggs Maloney |
Rockford |
Rockford High School |
Blythefield CC |
Michigan State University |
|
Lawrence Stanley |
Romulus |
Huron High School |
Grosse Ile G & CC |
University of Michigan |
|
Jillian Gaddie |
Saint Clair Shores |
Regina Catholic High School |
Lochmoor Club |
Michigan State University |
|
Steven Jarecki |
Saint Clair Shores |
Grosse Pointe North HS |
Lochmoor Club |
Michigan State University |
|
Jacob Melvin |
Saint Clair Shores |
Lakeview High School |
Lochmoor Club |
Michigan State University |
|
Aiden Bettig |
Sawyer |
River Valley High School |
Dunes Club |
Michigan State University |
|
Joseph Sorgi III* |
Shelby Township |
Henry Ford II High School |
Red Run GC |
Michigan State University |
|
Natalie Dobbs |
Southgate |
Trenton High School |
Western G & CC |
University of Michigan |
|
Brock Strebeck |
Stevensville |
Lakeshore High School |
Point O' Woods G & CC |
Michigan State University |
|
Kacey Ellis |
Waterford |
Waterford Kettering HS |
Plum Hollow CC |
University of Michigan |
*Awarded the Evans Scholarship for three years as they are currently a freshman in college.