Six students who caddied at Sankaty Head Golf Club in Nantucket, Mass., have been awarded the Evans Scholarship, a prestigious full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies, following online selection interviews held in December and January.
Each caddie has a unique story that reflects the scholarship’s four selection criteria: a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character. The Evans Scholarship is valued at an estimated $120,000 over four years.
Troy Sanchez of Woodbury, New York, will begin college this fall as an Evans Scholar, with plans to study mechanical engineering. He is currently a senior at Syosset Senior High School.
Antonio Vasquez of Littleton, Colorado will begin college this fall as an Evans Scholar at the University of Colorado in Boulder, where he plans to study computer science. He is currently a senior at Chatfield Senior High School.
Saul Galvan of Berwyn, Illinois. will begin college this fall as an Evans Scholar, with plans to study business. He is currently a senior at Nazareth Academy.
Ian McArdle of Manchester Center, Vermont will begin college this fall as an Evans Scholar, with plans to study political science. He is currently a senior at Burr and Burton Academy.
Nomar Pena Urena of Lawrence, Mass., will begin college this fall as an Evans Scholar, with plans to study engineering. He is currently a senior at Notre Dame High School.
Gustavo Silva Gonzalez of Bronx, New York will begin college this fall as an Evans Scholar, with plans to study biology. He is currently a senior at Xavier High School.
“These caddies are part of an exceptional incoming class of New Scholar caddies from around the nation,” said WGA Chairman Joe Desch. “They represent what the Evans Scholars Program has been about since 1930.”
The Evans Scholars selection interviews will continue to be held with applicants nationwide through spring. When the 2021-22 selection meeting process is complete, an estimated 315 caddies are expected to be awarded the Evans Scholarship.
The Western Golf Association, headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, has supported the Chick Evans Scholarship Program through the Evans Scholars Foundation since 1930. Known as one of golf’s favorite charities, it is the nation’s largest scholarship program for caddies.
Currently, a record 1,070 caddies are enrolled at 21 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 11,500 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.
“These young students have each shown excellence in the classroom, in their communities and on the golf course,” said WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski. “We are proud to welcome them to the Evans Scholars family.”
Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by nearly 35,000 supporters across the country, who are members of the Evans Scholars Par Club program. Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $17 million annually, and all proceeds from the BMW Championship, the penultimate PGA TOUR Playoff event in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup competition, are donated to the Evans Scholars Foundation. In 2022, the BMW Championship will be held at Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware, from Aug. 16-21.
To learn more about the WGA and ESF, visit www.wgaesf.org.
