NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation, Evans Scholars Foundation Announce Partnership
KENILWORTH, N.J. – The New Jersey State Golf Association’s esteemed Caddie Scholarship Foundation and the Western Golf Association’s (WGA) acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation have built a partnership that will serve the youth in New Jersey with added opportunities and college scholarships, the two organizations announced today.
As part of the collaboration, the CSF and ESF will work together to bolster New Jersey caddie scholarship funding, as well as expand caddie opportunities for youth in the state.
“We are thrilled to take our partnership with the Evans Scholars Foundation to new heights,” said Michael McFadden, president of the NJSGA and former NJSGA Caddie Scholarship recipient and Rutgers graduate. “This long-term collaboration will give both organizations the opportunity to transform the lives of more young men and women in New Jersey for many years to come.”
“Establishing and strengthening relationships with local golf associations is critical to maximizing the opportunities for youth caddies across the country,” said WGA Chairman Joe Desch. “We have had a relationship with the NJSGA for the past 20 years, and now, our organizations are committed to working together even more closely in this new partnership to support deserving young men and women in their pursuit of a college education.”
NJSGA Evans Scholarship recipients are awarded full tuition and housing scholarships, which are co-sponsored by the ESF and the NJSGA CSF. For the 2021-22 academic year, there are 15 NJSGA Evans Scholars enrolled in school.
The CSF and ESF partnership allows the two organizations to lead fundraising efforts to benefit current and future co-sponsored NJSGA Evans Scholars, and eventually, establish a Scholarship House at Rutgers University.
As part of the partnership, the CSF and ESF will continue to exist independently, but will collaborate on several initiatives. Two such projects include advancing caddie programs at clubs throughout New Jersey and partnering with schools, youth organizations and other organizations to identify academically-strong students from under-resourced backgrounds to become caddies.
About the New Jersey State Golf Association
Founded in 1900, the New Jersey State Golf Association promotes and preserves the traditions of the game of golf in the State of New Jersey. Today, more than 250 member clubs, courses, and organizations represent nearly 65,000 members of the NJSGA. Most importantly, due to the variety and quality of services provided to its member clubs, courses, and golfers, the Association continues to grow. The NJSGA is proud of its diverse tournament schedule, which includes 24 State Championships for golfers of varying backgrounds and skill levels. To learn more, visit www.njsga.org
About the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation
The NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation has been a paramount piece of the NJSGA since 1947. As it enters its 75th year, the CSF provides financial assistance to deserving New Jersey club caddies pursuing higher education. Most notably, since its inception, the CSF has provided more than $16 million in college scholarship awards to over 3,100 caddies. For the 2020-21 academic year, the Foundation has provided 157 caddies with over $667,000 in scholarships. Caddie scholars are selected based on their academic performance, financial need, and length and quality of service as a caddie. The 157 Caddie Scholars for the academic year 2020-21 represent 81 colleges. To learn more, visit www.njsga.org/caddie-scholarship
About the Western Golf Association
The Western Golf Association conducts six national golf championships and sponsors the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the organization was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. In addition to the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR and the NV5 Invitational presented by First Midwest Bank on the Korn Ferry Tour, the WGA conducts four prestigious amateur championships, the Western Amateur, the Western Junior, and the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur and Junior championships. To learn more, visit www.wgaesf.org.
About the Evans Scholars Foundation
Established by famed amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. and the Western Golf Association, the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. Currently, 1,070 caddies are enrolled in 21 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the Western Golf Association, is funded by contributions from more than 33,500 Evans Scholars Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 11,550 caddies nationwide have graduated as Evans Scholars. To learn more, visit www.wgaesf.org.
