Seven-week summer program kicks off June 21

GLENVIEW, Ill. – The Western Golf Association’s Caddie Academy is returning for its tenth summer, providing a select group of under-resourced students from across the nation the opportunity to caddie at golf clubs along Chicago’s North Shore.

Beginning June 21, 50 female high school students will caddie daily for seven weeks at one of 13 participating clubs, while living at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, Illinois. In addition, 27 female students will participate in the summer program virtually.

Through the Caddie Academy, students have the chance to earn money, meet role models and learn valuable life lessons on the golf course. After successfully completing three summers of the program, they become eligible to apply for the Evans Scholarship, a full tuition and housing college scholarship. Participants come from economically under-resourced backgrounds, and more than 90 percent are minorities.

A separate Chicago-area chapter, the Boys Caddie Academy, is returning for its fifth summer, with 17 high school students planning to caddie daily at one of four participating clubs while living at the Northwestern Evans Scholarship House in Evanston, Illinois. Eight young men will participate virtually.

In addition to caddying at local clubs, students take part in team-building activities such as leadership development, standardized test prep, health and wellness activities and social outings.

“The Caddie Academy provides a unique opportunity for hardworking young women and men to be introduced to the game of golf through caddying. Along the way, they learn plenty of important life lessons, including perseverance, dedication and communication and money management skills,” says WGA Chairman Kevin Buggy. “The ultimate reward is a chance to earn a full housing and tuition Evans Scholarship to college." To date, more than 90 graduates of the Caddie Academy have been awarded Evans Scholarships since the Program began in 2012.

Caddie Academy participants are chosen during their freshman year of high school, based on showing outstanding academics, demonstrated financial need, and promising leadership and character. This summer’s participants come from California, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Washington D.C.

Last year’s program was held completely virtually. As leaders adjust to changing capacity and travel restrictions and guidelines due to COVID, they have decided that for this year, rising juniors and rising high school seniors will return in-person, while rising sophomores will participate virtually.

Participating golf clubs include Conway Farms Golf Club, Evanston Golf Club, Exmoor Country Club, The Glen Club, Glen View Club, Indian Hill Club, Knollwood Club, Lake Shore Country Club, Northmoor Country Club, North Shore Country Club, Old Elm Club, Onwentsia Club, Park Ridge Country Club, Skokie Country Club, Sunset Ridge Country Club, Briarwood Country Club and Westmoreland Country Club.

The Caddie Academy is funded by the Souder family. Proceeds from the Women’s Invitational golf event also benefit the Program.

For more information on the WGA Caddie Academy, please visit wgacaddieacademy.org.