Beginner’s Guide to Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship

A charitable organization in Glenview, Illinois, the Evans Scholars Foundation assists golf caddies with full tuition and accommodation college scholarships, called “Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship.” Run by the Western Golf Association, the Evans Scholars Foundation has supported more than 11,050 college graduates since its founding in 1930.

In this guide, we will assist you to walk through the requirements required in winning the scholarship and how you can apply for it.

What is the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship?

Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship is a full tuition and accommodation scholarship available up to four years for seniors from high school who have served as a caddie at a member club of the Western Golf Association for at least two years. Every year over 800 aspiring caddies around the country graduate from college on a four-year Evans Scholars Foundation scholarship. Selected candidates must have good caddie records, outstanding qualifications, exemplary character, and proven financial need.

The Chick Evans Caddies Scholarship was initiated by legendary aspiring golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. He learned how to play as a caddy, won the Western Open in 1910, and achieved an international reputation in 1916 when he became the first to win the U.S. Amateur and U.S. Open in the same year.

Evans focused on maintaining his amateur status, and any money he earned from golf was dedicated to scholarships for caddies. In 1930 the first two Evans Scholars enrolled in Northwestern University. Since then, as Evans Scholars, over 11,050 men and women have graduated from college, and at present 1,010 are in school. Since its formation, the Western Golf Association, founded in 1899, has been supporting Evans Scholarship.

How much is Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship?

Selected students will receive prizes worth at least $100,000 with a total prize pool of up to $27,000,000.

In which universities do these scholarships apply?

Chick Evans Caddie Scholarships are granted to one of the 19 universities mentioned below, depending on the state and/or caddies in which the applicant lives. Living on campus in an Evans Scholars House is an important part of the Evans Scholars Program. Candidates are required to apply to their state identified Evans Scholars University(ies) (Illinois residents may apply to the University of Illinois and 3 additional Evans Scholars Universities). Applicants apply for admission directly to the university(s) and are required to do so by 30 October.

Applicants apply to the Evans Scholars universities below listed for their state:

1. Indiana University, Bloomington
2. Marquette University, Milwaukee, WI
3. Miami University, OH
4. Miami University, Oxford
5. Michigan State University, East Lansing
6. Northwestern University, Evanston
7. Northwestern University, IL
8. Ohio State University, Columbus
9. Ohio State University, Columbus
10. Penn State University, University Park
11. Purdue University, West Lafayette
12. University of Chicago, Chicago
13. University of Chicago, IL
14. University of Colorado, Boulder
15. University of Colorado, Boulder
16. University of Illinois, Champaign
17. University of Kansas, Lawrence
18. University of Kansas, Lawrence
19. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
20. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
21. University of Missouri, Columbia
22. University of Missouri, Columbia
23. The University of Notre Dame, IN
24. The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN
25. University of Oregon, Eugene
26. University of Oregon, Eugene
27. University of Washington, Seattle
28. University of Washington, Seattle
29. University of Wisconsin, Madison
30. And other ES Universities as approved by Scholarship Committee

Who is eligible for the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship?

You qualify as an eligible recipient of the program if you meet the following requirements.

• Must be an undergraduate student enrolled in a four-year college or university, or a high-school student studying full-time at the school being attended
• Must be at least 17 years of age when applying, and must not be older than 19 years
• This scholarship is limited to single students
• This scholarship is limited to students in Wisconsin, Washington, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Ohio, Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan, Kansas, Indiana, Illinois, and Colorado

Apart from meeting the general requirements above, the sponsor also expects candidates to meet the specific requirements below.

• Demonstrated financial need: Evidently, applicants must need financial support.
• Excellent academics: Applicants in college preparatory courses must have finished their junior year of high school with a B grade above. The ACT and SAT will be optional for applicants of 2020, due to COVID-19.
• Outstanding character: Candidates must be remarkable in character, credibility, and leadership.
• Strong caddie record: Applicants must have caddied for a minimum of two years, consistently and effectively, and are required to caddy at their presenting club the year they register for the scholarship. Because of COVID-19, caddie loops for this year’s applicants are expected to be negatively impacted in 2020.

How can I apply for the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship?

Follow these step-by-step instructions to apply.

1. Go to wgaesf.org and click on the “Scholarships” tab. Click on “Apply Now.”
2. Fill out the online portion of the application. You will be required to create an account and upload an applicant photo.
3. Complete the remaining fields required including personal information, family information, academic & extracurricular information, application essay, ACT/SAT scores, and family financial information.
4. To check your application status, log in to your application regularly and click on “Application Status & Required Document Checklist.”
5. Apply directly to the Evans Scholarship university(ies) for admission by October 30.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to make a paper. Prepare a typed essay (two pages, double-spaced) in your own words which will allow the Scholarship Committee to get to know you better. Your essay should include personal background, plans, what you anticipate from a college education, and your Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship credentials. Please provide relevant examples and personal experiences in your paper.

Besides, for the “Family Financial Information” section you must fill in a statement summarizing your family’s current financial condition. This includes any extraordinary expenses or factors that should be considered in determining your family’s financial needs, such as working conditions, medical expenses, and/or support from other dependents. Submit copies of front pages of a parent(s) 2018 and 2019 Federal tax returns (include Form 1040, do not include schedules and W-2 forms) along with parent(s’) most recent pay stub(s).

Applications for a scholarship are approved at the beginning of the senior year of high school for the candidate, as well as from college freshmen.

The completion of the entire application is expected by October 30. This is including supporting documentation such as evaluations, recommendation letters, transcripts, test scores, a CSS Profile and FAFSA details. When the application is complete the Scholarship Committee will begin its assessment. The committee will interview candidates, and the committee will be responsible for the final decision. All decisions are to be made before April 1.

Download all the forms you need to complete your application at the following links.

1. Caddie Evaluation Form
2. FAFSA Application
3. High School Evaluation Form

Who can I contact if I have further questions regarding the scholarship?

Questions regarding the scholarship program can be addressed at applications@wgaesf.org.