A group of 29 caddies from the state of Michigan were awarded an Evans Scholarship for the 2026 school year. It includes full housing and tuition for former caddies at Michigan golf clubs. The award winners made personal presentations at selection meeting interviews held at Western Golf & Country Club in Redford, Michigan, on Jan. 6 and 7.
To qualify for the Evans Scholarship, students must meet the Program’s four selection criteria:
-Demonstrate a strong caddie record.
-Excel academically.
-Have a financial need to attend college.
-Possess a positive and solid character.
These newly awarded Evans Scholars will begin college in the fall of 2026 with most attending either the University of Michigan, or Michigan State University. The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over a four-year education.
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.
Currently, a record 1,260 caddies are enrolled at 27 universities across the country as Evans Scholars, including 86 at Michigan State and 55 at Michigan. More than 12,575 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the Program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. in 1930.
“These students exemplify the work ethic, integrity, and commitment that define the Evans Scholarship,” said Mark Bond, a WGA Director and the Michigan State Chair. “Michigan’s golf community continues to expand youth caddie opportunities, and we’re proud to support these young men and women as they take this next step.”
Selection meeting interviews will continue nationwide through spring. By the end of the 2025-26 selection process, an estimated 380 caddies from across the country are expected to receive the Evans Scholarship.
Evans Scholars have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 and 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 Evans Scholarship come mostly from contributions by more than 43,500 supporters across the country, who are members of the Evans Scholars Par Club program. Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $15 million annually, and all proceeds from the BMW Championship, the penultimate PGA TOUR Playoff event in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup competition, benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation. In 2026, the BMW Championship will be held at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, from Aug. 18-23.
Below is a full list of the 2026 class of Michigan caddies awarded an Evans Scholarship.
| First Name | Last Name | Hometown | Sponsoring Club | |
| Ryan | Ni | Auburn Hills | Great Oaks CC | |
| Evan | Lefevre | Bath | CC of Lansing | |
| Matthew | Withrow | Benton Harbor | Point O’ Woods Golf & CC | |
| Kevin | Jariett | Canton | Meadowbrook CC | |
| Elyse | Miller | Clarkston | Oakland Hills CC | |
| Harmoni | Erving-Spencer | Detroit | CC of Detroit | |
| Bradley | Allen | Eastpointe | Detroit GC | |
| Cody | Prested | Farmington | Plum Hollow CC | |
| Kruz | Kruszka | Fenton | Warwick Hills Golf & CC | |
| Joseph | Fletcher | Ferndale | Detroit GC | |
| Ella | Newbold | Frankfort | Crystal Downs CC | |
| Brody | Campbell | Grand Blanc | Warwick Hills Golf & CC | |
| Shelby | McMillan | Grosse Pointe Farms | Lochmoor Club | |
| Cameron | Kosel | Grosse Pointe Woods | Lochmoor Club | |
| Jean-Paul | Shemmai | Grosse Pointe Woods | Lochmoor Club | |
| Luke | Leonhard | Grosse Pointe Woods | Lochmoor Club | |
| Ryan | Novak | Harbor Springs | Wequetonsing GC | |
| Samuel | Schlappi | Harbor Springs | Wequetonsing GC | |
| Javen | Palmer | Jackson | CC of Jackson | |
| William | Winter | Lansing | CC of Lansing | |
| Cameron | Nassar | Livonia | Western Golf & CC | |
| Elijah | Baldwin | Livonia | Western Golf & CC | |
| Cambria | Guenthardt | Muskegon | Wuskowhan PC | |
| Diego | Olguin | Pontiac | Oakland Hills CC | |
| Daniel | Vickers Jr. | Redford | Plum Hollow CC | |
| Trevor | May | Rochester Hills | Great Oaks CC | |
| Henry | Hegdal | Troy | Red Run GC | |
| Cor’ron | Claudin | Van Buren Township | Franklin Hills CC | |
| Cody | Koontz | West Bloomfield | Orchard Lake CC |
Funds for the Evans Scholarship are derived from contributions by more than 43,500 supporters across the country, who are members of the Evans Scholars Par Club program. In addition, Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $15 million annually, and 100% of the proceeds from the BMW Championship, the penultimate PGA TOUR Playoff event in the PGA TOUR’s FedEx Cup Playoffs, benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation. In 2026, the BMW Championship will be held at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, from Aug. 18-23.
