Scholarships awarded to more than 100 Chicago-area caddies

Will begin college this fall as Evans Scholars

GLENVIEW, Ill. – More than 100 students from the Chicago area have been awarded the Evans Scholarship, a prestigious full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies, this year.

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. The full list of Illinois winners can be found in the accompanying document.

They are part of a record group of 300 students across the country who have been awarded the Evans Scholarship this year. Recipients were interviewed at one of more than 20 virtual selection meetings held nationwide from November through March. Winners will begin college as Evans Scholars this fall, attending one of 19 leading universities nationwide that is an Evans Scholars partner school.

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

The Western Golf Association, headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, has supported the Evans Scholars Program since 1930. One of golf’s favorite charities, it is the nation’s largest scholarship program for caddies.

Currently, a record 1,045 students are enrolled in 19 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 11,300 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.

“These young men and women have shown excellence in the classroom, in their communities, and on the golf course,” said John Kaczkowski, WGA President and CEO. “We welcome them to the Evans Scholars family.”

The support of local golf and country clubs throughout the state has been an integral part of the success of the Evans Scholars Program.

Scholarship funds come largely through contributions by more than 33,000 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, benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation. In 2021, the BMW Championship will be held at Caves Valley Golf Club outside Baltimore from Aug. 23-29.