NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation, Evans Scholars Foundation announce New Scholarship Program
The New Jersey State Golf Association Caddie Scholarship Foundation, one of the foremost caddie scholarships programs in the country, is pleased to announce a partnership with the Evans Scholars Foundation to award full tuition and housing college scholarships to deserving caddies from New Jersey.
The partnership will increase the number of college scholarships awarded to caddies from New Jersey while promoting youth caddying in the state.
These NJSGA Evans Scholarships will be awarded based on applicants demonstrating a strong caddie record, excellent academics, financial need and outstanding character. Candidates must meet the qualifications of both the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation and the Evans Scholars Foundation to earn the Scholarship. Awardees will be part of the nationally acclaimed Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship Program in which caddie scholars receive full tuition and housing at 18 leading universities primarily located in the mid-western United States.
Caddies cannot receive grants from both foundations at the same time. Although as more caddies receive NJSGA Evans Scholarships, others will be able to benefit from NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation grants.
“This partnership represents a fantastic opportunity for youth caddies in New Jersey,” said Bill Frese, president of the New Jersey State Golf Association. “We’re proud to be partnering with the Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation to co-sponsor these full tuition and housing college scholarships.”
Benjamin M. Del Vento, chairman of the NJSGA CSF, who was also a Caddie Scholarship recipient in 1957 and past president of the NJSGA, confirmed the continued growth and success of the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship program which last year raised more than $950,000 for New Jersey caddie scholars.
“The NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation is proud to join with the Evans Scholars Foundation in recognizing that ‘Education is the most precious gift.’ “
“I believe this partnership is a benefit for all New Jersey caddies,” said Bill King, director of the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation. “Two great organizations like these working side by side can only greatly benefit caddies in New Jersey with the potential for full scholarships and housing at these great universities.”
The annual New Jersey Evans Scholars Classic, supported by both the Evans Scholars Foundation and the NJSGA, was held July 15 at Hawk Pointe Golf Club in Washington, N.J., with proceeds going towards the NJSGA Evans Scholarship program.
NJSGA representatives at the event included current board members Bill Frese (president), Eric Houseknecht (vice president), Brian Hunt (secretary), Steve Hennessey, Carol Graybeal and Dan Meehan, and past board members Dr. Donald Brief and David Epstein. NJSGA executive director Kevin Purcell also participated.
Next year’s New Jersey Evans Scholars Classic is scheduled for Monday, July 27, 2020, once again at Hawk Pointe Golf Club.
Applications for the Scholarship will be accepted at the beginning of the student’s senior year of high school. The application period opened on Aug. 1, and preference will be given to those who complete their application by Oct. 30. Those interested can apply online, inquire with their club caddie manager or golf professional, or contact the NJSGA at (908) 241-4653.
“As the Evans Scholars Program grows, our partnership with the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation will help us continue to create opportunities for hardworking caddies from New Jersey,” said Jeff Harrison, senior vice president of education for the Evans Scholars Foundation. “The NJSGA Evans Scholarship will provide a path to a world-class college education for deserving young men and women.”
Harrison continued, “New Jersey is a state with some outstanding (private club) caddie programs with some really, really impressive young men and women. I think it builds on itself as more and more people learn about the full tuition and housing scholarships as we work so closely with the NJSGA. Now, it’s at 10 caddie scholars and we think it’s going to grow even more. We need to be so proud of these 10 young men and women who are NJSGA Evans Scholars caddie scholars from New Jersey.”
Since 1947, the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation has awarded nearly $15 million in college scholarships to caddies from its member clubs. In 2018-19, $644,000 was presented in tuition funds to 155 caddie scholars, representing 88 colleges and 42 golf clubs.
The Evans Scholars Foundation had 985 Evans Scholars in school last year. Since 1930, the Foundation has awarded more than $385 million in scholarships, and 10,830 young men and women have graduated as Evans Scholars. A total of 12 caddies from New Jersey have earned Evans Scholarships.
