Wall Student Receives Full College Scholarship Through Golf Caddying

WALL, NJ — One lucky student from Wall Township is among eight student golf caddies who have earned full college scholarships through the NJ State Golf Association Evans Scholarship this year.

Lindsay Gilbert, who’s currently a student at Communications High School and a caddie at the Spring Lake Golf Club, earned the scholarship by meeting its four selection criteria, officials said:

1. A strong caddie record
2. Excellent academics
3. Demonstrated financial need
4. Outstanding character

In a statement posted to their Facebook page, the Spring Lake Golf Club congratulated Gilbert on her achievement, as well as the other NJ caddy scholarship recipients.

“Congratulations to our SLGC caddie, Lindsay Gilbert, one of eight NJ recipients of the 2025 New Jersey Golf Evans Scholarship!” the club said. “...We are extremely proud of all of SLGC's Evans Scholars.”

The scholarship is a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies, officials said, and the result of a partnership between the Western Golf Association’s (WGA) Evans Scholars Foundation and the NJSGA’s Caddie Scholarship Foundation.

The full tuition and housing college scholarship is valued at an estimated $125,000 over four years, officials said.

“As golf season approaches, there's no better time to award full tuition and housing scholarships to these eight deserving students and caddies through the New Jersey Golf partnership with the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF),” said Rod McRae, president of the New Jersey Golf Caddie Scholarship Association.

The eight student recipients in NJ will begin college this fall as NJ Golf Evans Scholars at one of the program’s 24 partner universities across the U.S., officials said.

Most are expected to attend Rutgers University in New Brunswick. Decisions on awarded schools are expected to be announced this spring.

“These scholarships are transformational for the students and their families,” McRae said. “Our relationship with the ESF continues to grow, and we look forward to helping more deserving caddies in New Jersey.”

The WGA, which is headquartered in Glenview, Ill., oversees the Evans Scholars Program. Currently, a record 1,190 caddies are enrolled at 24 universities across the country as Evans Scholars, including 21 NJ Golf Evans Scholars.

When the 2024-25 selection meeting process is complete, an estimated 360 caddies from across the country are expected to be awarded the Evans Scholarship.

“Our partnership continues to change the lives of young caddies from New Jersey who have proven their dedication in the classroom, on the golf course, and in their communities,” WGA Chairman Steve Colnitis said. “We are proud to welcome this exceptional group to the Evans Scholars family.”

To learn more about the NJ recipients of the NJ Golf Evans Scholarship, you can click here.