Colorado Celebrates Caddie Scholarships at Evans Scholars Cup

Gary Holaway

CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE, COLO. (Sept. 1, 2014) – The Western Golf Association's Evans Scholars Program took center stage Monday at Cherry Hills Country Club, site of the 2014 BMW Championship, with 108 golfers participating in the Evans Scholars Cup. The Evans Scholars Cup raised more than $500,000 for the Evans Scholars and put the spotlight on the Evans Scholarships for caddies. Highlights at a reception following golf included:

• Naming of the 2014 PGA TOUR Chip Beck Evans Scholars.


 • A $51,700 contribution from the Colorado Golf Association.


• The contribution of more than $5,000 in fees and tips from the more than 40 Colorado Evans Scholars who caddied in the event.

BMW Championship General Chairman George Solich thanked all who participated in the Evans Scholars Cup. “Your participation today supports a great cause — the Evans Scholarships for golf caddies. You met some of the Evans Scholars on the course today,” said Solich, a WGA Director at Cherry Hills Country Club. “And, for me, there's a personal connection, as I am a proud Alumnus of the Evans Scholars Program. It's a life-changing opportunity for hundreds of young caddies, so I thank you for joining us today to support the Evans Scholars Foundation.”

Special guest Gary McCord, well known CBS Sports golf analyst and golf professional, noted the importance of caddies to the game of golf. “I remember playing the Western Open at Butler National, and that was then they had all of these kids – Evans Scholars – as caddies,” McCord said. “Some years later, I got a letter from the kid that caddied for me. He talked about how much it meant for him to caddie for me. Then he told me he was now a judge. I mean, are you kidding me? That's incredible.”

The WGA leadership thanked all 108 golfers who participated in the event. “We appreciate everyone's support today – the golfers, the Colorado Golf Association and the Colorado Evans Scholars, who came out on Labor Day to help raise money for our the Evans Scholars Program,” noted WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski following the event. “And we're looking forward to more good news here in Colorado this week as Cherry Hills hosts the 2014 BMW Championship.”

Chip Beck Evans Scholar Peter Evans, a freshman at the University of Colorado, was named the recipient of the 2014 PGA TOUR Chip Beck Evans Scholars Award. Evans, from North Little Rock, Arkansas, is studying biology at Colorado. He caddied at The Alotian Club in Roland, Arkansas, and graduated from Central Arkansas Christian High School. “As an Evans Scholar, I feel I will become a part of an extended family of diverse people who are united by their bond of having caddied,” Evans said. “This is a very proud accomplishment for me and my family.”

Each year, outstanding freshmen Evans Scholars are chosen as Chip Beck Scholars, based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, caddie record and interest in golf. The Scholarships were established in 1992 by Beck, along with PGA TOUR Charities, the PGA of America, the Evans Scholars Foundation and Hilton Hotels. A director of the Western Golf Association, which sponsors the Evans Scholars Program, Beck said it is “gratifying” that he has had a role to in helping deserving students from across the country continue their higher educations. “The Chip Beck Evans Scholarship is something I'm going to be proud of long after my playing days are over,” he said. “Golf has been good to me, and I welcome the opportunity to give something back to the game.”

The scholarship was established in Beck’s name in 1992 after the PGA TOUR star earned a $1 million bonus from Hilton Hotels for shooting a round of 59 at the 1991 Las Vegas Invitational. The Evans Scholars Foundation was charged with administering $250,000 of the donation. CGA Donation to Evans Scholars Colorado Golf Association President Phil Lane and CGA Executive Director Ed Mate presented a check for $51,700 to WGA Vice Chairman David Robinson at the Evans Scholars Cup reception.

“The Colorado Golf Association is honored to be able to present this check to the Western Golf Association's Evans Scholars Foundation,” Lane said. “The 50-year partnership of our two organizations is founded in the belief that caddying is a valuable instrument for instilling life skills in young people. Many organizations talk about this, but caddying delivers.”

The CGA raised the money by conducting a raffle for a spot in the BMW Championship's Wednesday Pro-Am, selling 517 raffle tickets for $100 each. The Pro-Am spot was donated by George Solich. Evans Scholars Donate Also contributing to Monday's success were more than 40 current Evans Scholars from the University of Colorado who caddied for Evans Scholars Cup players. The Scholars' fees and tips totaled more than $5,000, all of which was donated by the caddies to the scholarship program that is funding their education.

Solich, who graduated from Colorado in 1983, is one of 420 Colorado Evans Scholars Alumni. Currently, 42 Evans Scholars are enrolled at Colorado. More than 10,000 deserving caddies from across the nation have been awarded Evans Scholarships, earning a full housing and tuition scholarship to top universities around the nation. Scholarships are based on caddie record, academic achievement, financial need and character. For more information, visit www.wgaesf.org.

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