Four students from Las Vegas have been awarded the Evans Scholarship — a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies — following a selection meeting interview held in February at Faith Lutheran High School in Las Vegas. The four are Genesis Padilla Barajas, Andrea Quintero Delgado, Jimena Trejo Vazquez and Mailie-Aarya Voraphankit.
This life-changing program has been assisted by the Southern Nevada Golf Association and Southern Nevada Junior Golf Association over the years and as it established a foothold in the Las Vegas area.
The four will begin college in fall 2025 as Evans Scholars, attending one of the Program’s 27 partner universities nationwide. The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years.
To qualify, students must meet the Program’s four selection criteria and show a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character.
The Western Golf Association (WGA), headquartered in Glenview, Ill., oversees the Evans Scholars Program. Recently recognized as the Scholarship Provider of the Year by the National Scholarship Providers Association, the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF) is one of golf’s favorite charities and the nation’s largest scholarship program for caddies.
“Since our founding, our Program has changed the lives of young caddies who have proven their dedication in the classroom, on the golf course and in their communities,” said WGA Chairman Steve Colnitis. “We are proud to welcome this exceptional group to the Evans Scholars family.”
This past school year, a record 1,190 caddies were enrolled at 24 universities across the country as Evans Scholars. More than 12,285 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the Program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. in 1930.
Mailie-Aarya Voraphankit, a senior at Faith Lutheran High School, is a first-generation college student who plans to study computer science at the University of Colorado.
“Caddying has shaped my work ethic, endurance and leadership skills,” she says. “As a mentor to the younger caddies, balancing discipline and compassion has made me a better leader in all areas of my life. All the lessons I’ve learned on the course will help me in college as I work towards my goal of becoming a software developer.”
All four newly awarded Evans Scholars were introduced to caddying through the Caddie Academy – a special summer program run by the WGA that provides work opportunities to promising high school students. With seven branches nationwide, the Caddie Academy offers students a chance to caddie each day, earn money, meet role models and learn valuable life lessons on the golf course.
After three summers, participants become eligible to apply for the Evans Scholarship. The Las Vegas students attended the Caddie Academy’s Chicago branch, working at clubs along the North Shore. Since 2012, more than 150 graduates of the WGA Caddie Academy have been awarded an Evans Scholarship.
Evans Scholar Alum Tom Fitzgerald, a Vegas resident, knows firsthand the impact of the Evans Scholarship. He, along with fellow Alum Jack Todd, help promote the Program in the Vegas area, attending selection meetings and promoting the Evans Scholars opportunity at local schools.
“I started caddying in fifth grade, when I was 11 years old, in Indianapolis and my first assignment was running down 50 shag-range balls for the club champion, as he warmed up for his round of golf on a hot and humid summer day,” Fitzgerald recalled. “Lo and behold, 35 minutes later, I am rewarded with $.75 of compensation – and I thought I was rich!”
After proudly sharing the news with his mom, she applauded his work but told her son: “We need to work on the money-side of these efforts though, Tom.”
Through caddying, he heard about the Evans Scholarship – and after six summers of daily caddying at Broadmoor Country Club in Indianapolis, he made it to the final interview for the Evans Scholarship. He attended Indiana University, earning a degree in accounting and eventually becoming a licensed CPA and obtaining a master’s degree.
Throughout his career, where he worked in corporate reporting and construction accounting, he remained involved with the Evans Scholars Alumni Association. He joined the S. Nevada Golf Association in 2013, along with other Evans Scholars Alumni, to help promote the Program. They made connections with local high school students, helping to identify kids who could fit the qualifications to become Evans Scholars.
“We were given so many life advantages and contacts, so many benefits for having been a successful caddie at an earlier stage of life,” Fitzgerald said. “Earning the Evans Scholarship was invaluable, and it’s our responsibility to pay it forward to the next generation of caddies.”
