GOLF, IL – It had long been a dream of Jake Keady’s to attend the University of Oregon.But the recent recession hit his family hard, forcing his parents to drain their savings, which left college an uncertainty for him. A summer job working and caddying at Red Hawk Golf and Resort in Sparks, Nevada, helped change the course of his lifetime.Jake, who is from Sparks and attends Spanish Springs High School, recently was awarded the prestigious Evans Scholarship, a full, four-year tuition and housing scholarship for golf caddies.Having learned about the Scholarship through his participation in The First Tee of Northern Nevada, Jake is the first caddie ever to earn the Scholarship from the state of Nevada. He’ll attend the University of Oregon in Eugene this fall, where he plans to study sports management.
In school, Jake plays on the varsity golf and basketball teams, holds leadership positions in extracurricular clubs and volunteers with The First Tee of Northern Nevada. “I have the ambition to work hard and be successful in school and beyond,” he says. “As the first Scholar from the state of Nevada, I am honored to be selected for such a prestigious award.”
Evans Scholars are chosen based on demonstrating a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character. The scholarship is valued at more than $80,000 over four years.
The Western Golf Association is currently holding selection meetings across the country to interview finalists through the end of March, awarding 250 scholarships in the process. The WGA, headquartered in Golf, Illinois, has supported the Chick Evans Scholarship Program through the Evans Scholars Foundation since 1930. One of golf’s favorite charities, it is the nation’s largest privately funded, full tuition and housing scholarship program.
“Based on his excellence in the classroom and his service to his school and community, there is little doubt that Jake has earned this life-changing opportunity,” said John Kaczkowski, President and CEO of the WGA. “Each caddie has his or her own incredible story of hard work and strength in the face of adversity, and Jake is no exception. He is more than deserving of this scholarship.”
The Evans Scholars Program is growing from coast to coast, with a goal of sending 1,000 caddies to college annually by 2020, at a time when college costs are spiraling upward and a record number of caddies are applying for the Scholarship. Currently, there are 870 caddies enrolled at 18 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars.
Since 1930 when the Program began, more than 10,000 caddies, have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.
Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by more than 26,000 golfers across the country, who are members of the WGA Par Club. Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $8 million annually, and all proceeds from the BMW Championship, the third of four PGA TOUR Playoff events in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup competition, are donated to the Evans Scholars Foundation. Visit www.wgaesf.org for more information.
