Students will begin college this fall as Evans Scholars

GLENVIEW, Ill. – Five caddies from Sankaty Head Golf Club in Nantucket, Mass., have been awarded the Evans Scholarship, a prestigious full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies, following an online selection interview held Feb. 9.

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

Participants from across the country are part of a special program called the Sankaty Head Caddie Camp, which is located and operated at Sankaty Head Golf Club. Home to 60 caddies and staff members, the young men live in a structured, disciplined camp environment, spending part of each day caddying for golfers. Through their work, many go on to earn college scholarships, including the Evans Scholarship.

“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 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. In addition to the five new recipients, there are 19 other Sankaty Head caddies who are current Evans Scholars. 

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 men 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 Sankaty Head winners are listed below.

Name

Hometown

High School

Awarded University

Geovanny Benitez-Ramirez

Bronx, NY

Regis HS

Miami University

Daniel Avila

Chicago, IL

The School at Church Farm

Indiana University

Armando Duarte

Denver, CO

Regis Jesuit HS

University of Colorado

Alexander Karhunen

Jenison, MI

Jenison HS

University of Michigan

Kenai Dindia

Scotts Valley, CA

San Lorenzo Valley HS

University of Michigan