Niles West Student Among 104 Golf Caddies Awarded Full College Scholarships

NILES, IL – The Western Golf Association announced 104 students from the Chicago area have been awarded the Evans Scholarship, a full housing and tuition college grant for golf caddies. Emily Okon, a senior at Niles West High School, was among the recipients of the scholarship.

Okon, like the other winners, was selected following interviews held across the area in November and December last year. They represent the first group of recipients for the scholarship. The scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years, according to the Glenview-based organization.

Each Evans Scholar will begin college in the fall of 2026, with the awarded universities finalized in the spring.

The Evans Scholarship Program considers four main criteria for selection: a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need, and outstanding character. The program was founded in 1930 by Chicago amateur golfer Charles "Chick" Evans Jr.

“Each of these 104 students has earned this life-changing opportunity through their hard work, dedication and outstanding character. They represent the very best of the Evans Scholars Program, and we are proud to welcome them as they take the next step toward college and future leadership.”

Kim Schriver, a WGA Director and Illinois state co-chair.

Currently, 1,260 caddies are enrolled at 27 universities nationwide as Evans Scholars. Over 12,575 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program's inception. Evans Scholars maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 and have a 98 percent graduation rate. An estimated 40 percent are first-generation college students, and 96 percent are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduating.

Funds for the scholarship primarily come from contributions by over 43,500 supporters through the Evans Scholars Par Club program. Alumni donate more than $15 million annually. All proceeds from the BMW Championship also benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation.

Selection meeting interviews for the scholarship will continue nationwide through the spring. An estimated 380 caddies are expected to be awarded the Evans Scholarship across the country once the 2025-26 selection process is complete.