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Three students from the Pittsburgh area have been awarded the Evans Scholarship – a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies – following a final selection meeting interview at South Hills Country Club in Pittsburgh on Feb. 8, 2024.

One of those students is Finleyville resident Christian Villa who caddied at South Hills Country Club. He is a senior at Thomas Jefferson High School and plans to study aerospace engineering with the dream of one day working at NASA.

“If given the opportunity to design aircrafts for this prestigious company, I plan to retire with enough money to become a member at South Hills Country Club, the club where I have learned so much as a caddie, to live out the remainder of my life on the golf course,” said Villa.

To qualify for the Evans Scholarship, each student must meet the Program’s four selection criteria and show a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character.  The scholarship is valued at an estimated $125,000 over four years.

The Western Golf Association (WGA), 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.

“We are thrilled to welcome these three student caddies to the Evans Scholars family,” said WGA Chairman Steve Colnitis. “Their dedication in the classroom, on the golf course and in their communities represents what our Program has been about since 1930.”

Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled at 24 universities nationwide – including 44 at Penn State University – as Evans Scholars. More than 12,040 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the Program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. in 1930.  To learn more about the WGA and ESF, visit wgaesf.org.

About the Evans Scholars Foundation

Established by the WGA and famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled in 24 leading universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the WGA, is funded by contributions from more than 38,500 Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 12,000 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars.

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