Five Caddies Earn Long Island Evans Scholarships

GLENVIEW, Ill. – Five students from New York have been awarded the Long Island Evans Scholarship – a full housing and tuition college scholarship for deserving caddies – following selection interviews held Feb. 4 at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, N.J.

The result of a partnership between the Western Golf Association’s (WGA) Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF) and the Long Island Caddie Scholarship Fund (LICSF), Long Island Evans Scholars are selected based on showing a strong caddie record, excellent academics, financial need, and outstanding character. Candidates must meet the qualifications of both organizations to earn the scholarship.

The students, whose names are listed below, will begin college this fall as Long Island Evans Scholars, attending one of the Program’s 24 partner universities across the nation. Their awarded schools will be finalized this spring. The scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years.

“Among many other benefits, having the opportunity to pursue an education through college scholarship is unmatched for youth caddies,” said LICSF President Michael Sullivan. “We are proud of the LICSF Evans Scholars and this recognition of their hard work.”

The WGA, headquartered in Glenview, Ill., oversees the Evans Scholars Program. Recently recognized as the Scholarship Provider of the Year by the National Scholarship Providers Association, the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF) is one of golf’s favorite charities and the nation’s largest scholarship program for caddies.

Currently, a record 1,190 caddies are enrolled at 24 universities across the country as Evans Scholars – including 10 Long Island Evans Scholars. More than 12,285 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the Program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. in 1930.

As the Evans Scholars Program continues to grow nationwide, more students from the East Coast are being offered an opportunity to caddie and potentially earn a full college scholarship. Through the WGA’s Caddie Scholar Prep initiative, Program leaders are intentionally recruiting and mentoring local qualified students and introducing them to caddying at nearby clubs. 

Evans Scholar selection meeting interviews will continue nationwide through the winter. When the 2024-25 selection meeting process is complete, an estimated 360 caddies from across the country are expected to be awarded the Evans Scholarship.

“Our partnership continues to change the lives of young caddies who have proven their dedication in the classroom, on the golf course and in their communities,” said WGA Chairman Steve Colnitis. “We are proud to welcome this exceptional group to the Evans Scholars family.”

Evans Scholars have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 and a 98 percent graduation rate. An estimated 40 percent are first-generation college students, and 95 percent are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduating.

Funds for the Evans Scholarship come mostly from contributions by more than 36,000 supporters 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 penultimate PGA TOUR Playoff event in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup competition, benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation. In 2025, the BMW Championship will be held at Caves Valley Golf Club near Baltimore, Md., from Aug. 12-17.

To learn more about the Long Island Caddie Scholarship Fund, visit longislandcaddiescholarship.org.

Listed below are the newly awarded Long Island Evans Scholars.