This summer the Western Golf Association’s Caddie Academy hosted 89 female high school students from across the nation in Chicago to learn how to properly caddie.
The program encompasses seven weeks in June and July. The girls work as caddies every day at one of 13 participating golf clubs along Chicago’s North Shore.
The girls come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and areas that do not offer caddie opportunities. They are housed at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest on the north side of Chicago.
To be eligible to apply for an Evans Scholarship the caddies must complete three summers of attending the Caddie Academy. The Evans Scholarship provides tuition for four years and housing at a top university. Applicants must show financial need and strong character, as well as outstanding caddie and academic records. This past year, 935 Evans Scholars, male and female, were enrolled at 20 universities across the nation.
David Robinson, Chairman of the Western Golf Association said,
“The Caddie Academy provides a unique opportunity for hard-working young women to be introduced to caddying and the game of golf. Their ultimate reward is a chance to earn a full scholarship to a top university.”
Since 2012, when the Caddie Academy began, 23 participants have received the Evans Scholarship and this year, six more girls earned the Evans Scholarships.
Interaction with current Evans Scholars is available during the Caddie Academy. Female Evans Scholars live with the participants, serving as counselors to supervise and mentor the group, as well as providing transportation to the respective clubs each day.
The group also takes part in special outings and field trips, plus career talks from successful female leaders and standardized test prep training.
This year, more than 100 high school freshmen girls from across the country applied to participate in the Caddie Academy. Of that group, 38 girls were invited to take part. This summer’s participants include young women from Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington, D.C.
The Caddie Academy began in 2012 with an inaugural class of 12 caddies. Each year since, it has experienced tremendous success and growth. It is funded by a private donor, plus proceeds from the annual Women’s Invitational golf outing, also benefit the Academy.
The WGA also launched a Caddie Academy program for boys. A similar seven-week caddie training was held with six young men residing at the Northwestern University’s Evans Scholarship House.
WGA’s Mike Maher oversees the Caddie Academy and said,
“The success of the Caddie Academy for young women has exceeded our wildest expectations. We’re excited to be able to expand the opportunity to introduce golf and caddying to a new group of underserved youth, who we ultimately hope will become successful applicants for the Evans Scholarship.”
If you would like to learn more about the Western Golf Association and the Evans Scholars Foundation visit their website.
