Marist Senior Emmett O'Connor Earns Chick Evans Scholarship

CHICAGO — Emmett O’Connor, a Marist High School senior from Beverly, has received the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship. O’Connor has been a caddie at the Beverly Country Club. He’s interested in studying business and finance in college.

O’Connor, a Sutherland Elementary alum, is the 188th Chick Evans scholar in Marist history. He’s involved in Peer Leadership, Student Ambassadors, National Honor Society and Investment Club. O’Connor has also been part of the soccer and volleyball programs.

The Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship provides full tuition and college housing for golf caddies, and is renewable for up to four years. To be eligible to apply for the scholarship, all applicants must have a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character.

O’Connor is among 70 high school students from the greater Chicago area who will receive college scholarships for caddying as part of the Evans "Chick" Scholars Foundation program. The 70 students are among the first recipients awarded from selection interviews. Evans Scholars selection meeting interviews will continue nationwide through spring.

Each recipient will begin college in fall 2023 as Evans Scholars, with awarded universities to be finalized by April 1. The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years.

“Each student has demonstrated excellence in the classroom, on the golf course, and in their communities,” WGA Chairman Joe Desch said in a news release. “We are thrilled to welcome them to what will be an exceptional class of New Scholars from across the nation.”

The Western Golf Association, headquartered in Glenview, 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.

Currently, a record 1,100 caddies are enrolled at 22 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 11,800 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.