GOLF, Ill. – The Evans Scholars Foundation runs the Chick Evans Scholarship Program, one of the nation’s largest privately funded college scholarship programs, providing full tuition and housing to deserving caddies for up to four years. The tuition and housing grants are valued at an estimated $70,000 over four years.

Since the first two Scholars enrolled at Northwestern University in 1930, more than 9,000 young men and women have graduated as Evans Scholars. Currently, more than 850 Scholars, most of who live at one of 14 Foundation-owned Scholarship Houses, attend school at top universities throughout the country.

Charles “Chick” Evans, Jr.
The Chick Evans Scholarship Program was established by and named for Charles “Chick” Evans, Jr., one of golf’s all-time greats. He became famous in 1916 when he won both the U.S. Open and the U.S. Amateur, becoming the first golfer ever to capture both tournaments in the same year.

In his amateur career, which spanned six decades, he won 54 titles, including all the major championships of his day. He remained an amateur his entire life, using his earnings to create a trust fund to benefit deserving caddies.

Selection Criteria
Candidates must meet four primary criteria to qualify for an Evans Scholarship. They must have caddied for at least two years and be nominated by their golf or country club. They must have an excellent high school academic record, with a ‘B’ average or better. They must demonstrate significant financial need. They must demonstrate outstanding character and community leadership.

Program Growth
The Evans Scholars Program grew dramatically after World War II. 1950, only 84 Scholars were enrolled in school. By the end of the decade, that number had increased to 440, and Evans Scholarship Houses were established at Illinois in 1951, Michigan in 1952, Wisconsin in 1953, Marquette and Michigan State in 1955, and Minnesota in 1958.

By 1970, 823 students were enrolled and Houses had been added at Ohio State in 1962, Colorado and Purdue in 1967, Missouri in 1968 and Indiana in 1969. Houses were established at Miami of Ohio in 1974 and Northern Illinois in 1987.

Scholarship House Living
At 14 universities, Evans Scholars live and work together in a Foundation-owned Scholarship House. In this environment, students develop leadership and communication skills. Most houses are co-educational.

The sense of community fostered through group living enables each of the 14 Houses to rank at or near the top in both academic and extracurricular activities compared to other campus organizations. Scholars pay an annual housing fee, and all students take part in House maintenance.

Nearly two-thirds of the Scholars maintain a ‘B’ average or better, and their graduation rate is over 90 percent, compared to a 50 percent national average.

Western Golf Association
The Western Golf Association, founded in 1899 to conduct tournaments and promote the general interests of golf, sponsors the Evans Scholars Program. It is golf’s favorite charity, with more than 100,000 annual contributors.

More than 33,000 golfers from across the country donate $200 or more to the WGA Par Club, which is a primary funding source of the Program. Evans Alumni donate more than $4 million annually to the Foundation, and all proceeds from the BMW Championship, conducted by the WGA, also benefit the Program. Visit www.westerngolfassociation.com for more information.

Contact: Amy Boerema
Communications Manager
Western Golf Association
Evans Scholars Foundation
(847) 724-4600 or boerema@wgaesf.com