Fourteen Student Caddies from Oregon and Washington Earn Full College Scholarships
Demetrius Wallace of Portland, Ore., didn’t have a lot of role models growing up. But his grandmother, who passed away three years ago, was a big one. She was pursuing a doctorate in biology before falling ill to cancer and inspired him to pursue his own education, no matter the challenges.
In junior high, when life with his parents became unstable, Demetrius moved in with his grandmother, “choosing to try just as hard in life as my grandmother demonstrated,” he said. “She taught me anything is possible through dedication and determination.”
Demetrius’ hard work has paid off, as he was recently named a recipient – one of 14 students from Oregon and Washington – of the Evans Scholarship, a full housing and tuition college scholarship for golf caddies. Ten of the recipients will attend the University of Oregon in Eugene this fall, with the other four attending the University of Washington in Seattle.
The Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) has been a longtime supporter of the Evans program, administering annual fundraisers (the Evans Cups of Washington and Oregon), raising hundreds of thousands of dollars, as well as providing office space for the Western Golf Association’s (WGA) local representative, Bill Moses, for several years.
Evans Scholars are chosen based on demonstrating a strong caddie record, excellent academics, financial need and outstanding leadership and character. The scholarship is valued at more than $80,000 over four years. Recipients attended a selection meeting at Waverley Country Club in Portland on Feb. 18, the last step in the process before being awarded the Evans Scholarship.
“Each of these deserving Scholars epitomizes what our Program has been about since its creation in 1930,” said WGA Chairman David Robinson. “Their dedication, hard work and sacrifice is inspiring, and we are honored to be able to help them pursue their dreams.”
The WGA, headquartered in Golf, Ill., 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 scholarship program for caddies.
Currently, 910 caddies are enrolled in colleges across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 10,000 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.
“Based on their excellence in the classroom and their service to their schools and communities, there is little doubt that these young men and women have earned this life-changing opportunity,” said John Kaczkowski, WGA president and CEO. “We welcome them to the Evans Scholars family.”
Visit www.wgaesf.org for more information.
