Evans Scholarships Awarded To Two New Jersey Caddies
Contact: Amy Fuller
Evans Scholars Foundation
847-724-4600 fuller@wgaesf.org
March 3, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EVANS SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO TWO NEW JERSEY CADDIES
GOLF, Ill. – Two high school caddies from the East Coast have been awarded the Evans Scholarship, a full, four-year housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies, following a final selection meeting held at The Union League Club in New York City on Feb. 23.
Each caddie (listed below) has a unique story to tell, reflecting the scholarship’s four selection criteria: a strong caddie record; excellent academics; demonstrated financial need; and outstanding character. They will begin college in the fall of 2017. The scholarship is valued at more than $100,000 over four years.
Samantha Boehmcke, from Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey, caddied at Spring Lake Golf Club. A St. Rose High School student, she was awarded the Evans Scholarship to Ohio State University, where she plans to study marine biology. She was the first female caddie at her club. Samantha says, “Caddying it turns out came very natural to me. I have met so many successful people and love going to work every day, because every loop is a new experience. These experiences have helped teach me how to act calm, composed and under control in all situations, not just on the golf course, but in every aspect of life.”
Caitlin Marcus, from Tenafly, New Jersey, caddied at Knickerbocker Country Club. A Tenafly High School student, she was awarded the Evans Scholarship to the University of Michigan, where she plans to study social work. Caitlin’s older brother is an Evans Scholar at the University of Michigan. Caitlin says, “The Evans Scholarship will allow me to fully immerse myself in a rigorous academic environment without the crushing pressure of financial obligation. Beyond the obvious financial benefit, the Scholarship will connect me with a community of like-minded peers who will challenge me intellectually and enrich me socially.”
“Each of these deserving Evans Scholars epitomizes what our Program has been about since its creation in 1930,” said WGA Chairman David Robinson. “Their dedication, hard work and sacrifice is humbling, and we are honored to be able to help them pursue their dreams.”
The Western Golf Association, headquartered in Golf, Illinois, has supported the Chick Evans Scholarship Program through the Evans Scholars Foundation since 1930. One of golf’s favorite charities, it is the nation’s largest scholarship program for caddies.
Currently, a record 935 caddies are enrolled in 20 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 10,400 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.
With ESF leaders seeing record numbers of scholarship applicants in recent years, they are working toward ensuring that no deserving caddies is left without a chance to receive a college education. The Evans Scholars Program is expanding from coast to coast, with a plan in place to send 1,000 caddies to college annually by the year 2020. Awarding the scholarship to more caddies from the East Coast is an integral part of this plan.
“Based on their excellence in the classroom and their service to their schools and communities, there is little doubt that these young women have worked hard to earn this life-changing opportunity,” said John Kaczkowski, WGA President and CEO. “We welcome them to the Evans Scholars family.”
Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by 30,000 golfers across the country, who are members of the Evans Scholars Par Club program. Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $10 million annually, and all proceeds from the BMW Championship, the third of four PGA TOUR Playoff events in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup competition, are donated to the Evans Scholars Foundation.
To learn more about the WGA and ESF, visit www.wgaesf.org
