Evans Scholars Foundation Reaches Major Milestone

More than 10,000 golf caddies have now graduated from college through the Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides full tuition and housing scholarships at leading universities nationwide.

December's graduating class of 15 students boosted the number of Evans Scholars Alumni to 10,009, a major milestone for a program that began 85 years ago when the foundation awarded the first two Evans Scholarships to Chicago-area caddies Harold Fink and Jim McGinnis.

The Evans Scholars Foundation is among the nation's largest privately funded scholarship programs and is the largest scholarship program for golf caddies. To qualify for the scholarship, students must show outstanding records of caddying, academics and leadership, as well as financial need.

The Foundation was formed in 1930 by the Western Golf Association and legendary amateur Charles "Chick" Evans Jr., who wanted to offer deserving caddies the opportunity to earn a college education.

"Reaching 10,000 Evans Scholars alumni is a remarkable achievement and a milestone that demonstrates the incredible scope of our Program," said WGA chairman Dennis O'Keefe. "From humble, local beginnings to a strong and growing national presence, the Evans Scholarship continues to be a life-changing opportunity for caddies who might otherwise never have been able to attend college."

Alumnus Tim Mersch was part of the December graduating class, earning a degree in political science from Miami University in Ohio. College wouldn't have been possible without the Evans Scholarship, he says. With four siblings, and one parent unable to work due to health issues, money was tight. Caddying at Evanston Golf Club near Chicago offered a chance to realize his dreams.

"These past four years in college have been the greatest time of my life," says Mersch, who now works for an educational nonprofit in Chicago. "I have learned and grown so much. The Evans Scholarship has given me an opportunity to succeed in the future. I can think of no greater honor than to have been an Evans Scholar."

The Evans Scholarship has produced a group of alumni who currently reside in every U.S. state and in 22 countries worldwide. After graduating with a bachelor's degree, roughly 40 percent go on to earn a graduate degree.

Today, Evans Scholars alumni run major corporations, including Kimberly-Clark and Deere & Company. They're industry leaders in fields including transportation, oil and medicine. They have been appointed by the President of the United States to serve on advisory committees. They work with governments in underdeveloped regions around the world to improve agricultural, economic and educational infrastructures. They lead nonprofits to benefit a myriad of causes. Their work has contributed to innovations in fields ranging from outer space to military aircraft.

"The achievements of our alumni are an incredible testament to the power of a college degree," says WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski. "Their hard work - which begins on the golf course as a caddie - is proof that our unique scholarship provides a solid foundation for young men and women to go on to achieve lifelong success."

Not only are they successful, but alumni stay close to the organization that provided them the opportunity of a lifetime. In 2014, they donated a record $8 million back to the Evans Scholars Foundation; overall; they have given more than $93 million. Their involvement extends beyond financial. They help promote caddies at the club level, organize and participate in Evans Scholars fund-raising events and volunteer at the BMW Championship, which has contributed $19.6 million to the Foundation since 2007.

"After our scholars graduate, they really commit to supporting our program and helping to keep Chick's dream alive," said Evans Scholars Alumni Association president Joel Bergstrom. "Their unwavering dedication shows what a life-changing impact earning the Scholarship has had on us all."

Currently, 870 students are enrolled at 19 universities across the nation, including 14 where the foundation owns and operates a Scholarship House. In recent years, successful fundraising efforts have allowed leaders to grow the program, with a goal of sending 1,000 caddies to college annually by the year 2020. To that end, the foundation is working to build new Scholarship Houses, renovate existing ones, partner with new schools and develop and strengthen caddie programs across the country.

This year, the program is poised to award more scholarships than ever before, at a time when the need for financial assistance is greater than ever and applications are at a record high. The scholarships are funded by more than 26,000 supporters nationwide, Evans Scholars Alumni and proceeds from WGA-conducted tournaments, including the BMW Championship.

The above report is courtesy of the Western Golf Association. For more information, visit www.wgaesf.org.

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