Libertyville Golf Caddies Earn Full Ride To College

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Two Libertyville students are among 74 high school golf caddies from the Chicago area who have been awarded the Evans Scholarship, which is a a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies.

Hailey Baffico and Izrael Lopez, both of Libertyville, were picked for the scholarship following four selection meeting interviews held across the area in November and December at Midlothian Country Club and Oak Park Country Club, according to a news release.

Baffico worked as a caddy at Knollwood Club in Lake Forest and Lopez was a caddy at the Merit Club in Libertyville.

Caddies selected for an Evan Scholarship must fit the scholarship’s four selection criteria: a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character. The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years

“We are thrilled to welcome these student caddies to what will be an exceptional class of new Scholars from across the nation,” said Western Golf Association (WGA) Chairman Joe Desch. “Their dedication in the classroom, on the golf course and in their communities represents what our Program has been about since 1930.”

Evans Scholars selection meeting interviews will continue nationwide through spring. When the 2023-24 selection meeting process is complete, an estimated 340 caddies are expected to be awarded the Evans Scholarship.

Some of the newly awarded Evans Scholars participated in the WGA Caddie Academy, a special summer program that provides caddie opportunities to promising high school students. With six chapters nationwide — including the Chicago area — the program offers students a chance to caddie each day, earn money, meet role models and learn valuable life lessons on the golf course. After completing three summers, participants are eligible to apply for the Evans Scholarship.

The WGA, 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 1,130 caddies are enrolled at 24 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 12,040 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the Program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr., according to a news release.

“We are proud to welcome these young individuals to the Evans Scholars family,” said WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski.

Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by more than 36,000 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, are donated to the Evans Scholars Foundation.