Eight Caddies Earn Full College Scholarships
KENILWORTH, N.J. - Eight New Jersey caddies have been awarded the New Jersey Evans Scholarship, a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies. The caddies, made up of six men and two women were selected following interviews held on February 4 at Baltusrol Golf Club.
The result of a partnership between the Western Golf Association’s Evans Scholars Foundation and the New Jersey Golf Caddie Scholarship Foundation, NJ Golf Evans Scholars are chosen based on displaying a strong caddie record, excellent academics, financial need and outstanding character. Candidates must meet the qualifications of both organizations to earn the scholarship.
NJ Golf Evans Scholars will begin college this fall at one of the Program’s 24 partner universities across the nation, with most expected to attend Rutgers University. Decisions on awarded schools will be announced this spring. The scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years.
“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,” expressed NJ Golf President, Rod McRae. “These scholarships are transformational for the students and their families. Our relationship with Evans continues to grow and we look forward to helping more deserving caddies in New Jersey each year.”
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.
Currently, a record 1,190 caddies are enrolled at 24 universities across the country as Evans Scholars – including 21 NJ Golf 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.
“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,” said WGA Chairman Steve Colnitis. “We are proud to welcome this exceptional group to the NJ Golf Evans Scholars family.”
| Name | Hometown | Club | High School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Tadrick | Brick | Hollywood GC | Brick Twp. |
| Edison Moya | Butler | Essex County CC | Butler |
| Molly Craffey | Garnerville, NY | Edgewood CC | North Rockland |
| Giovanni Piro | Lincoln Park | North Jersey CC | Don Bosco Prep |
| Pedro Chicas | North Bergen | Crestmont CC | Saint Benedict's Prep |
| Brian Ramirez | North Plainfield | Baltusrol GC | Saint Benedict's Prep |
| Luke Phillips | Red Bank | Rumson CC | Christian Brothers Academy |
| Lindsay Gilbert | Wall | Spring Lake GC | Communications HS |
About New Jersey Golf
Founded in 1900, New Jersey Golf promotes and preserves the traditions of the game of golf in the State of New Jersey. Today, more than 250 member clubs, courses, and organizations represent nearly 65,000 members of NJ Golf. Most importantly, due to the variety and quality of services provided to its member clubs, courses, and golfers, the organization continues to grow. NJ Golf is proud of its diverse tournament schedule, which includes 24 State Championships for golfers of varying backgrounds and skill levels. To learn more, visit njgolf.org.
About the NJ Golf Caddie Scholarship Foundation
The New Jersey Golf Caddie Scholarship Foundation has been a shining light for over 77 years in providing financial assistance to deserving member club caddies pursuing higher education. Since 1947, it has provided more than 3,500 scholarships totaling more than $19 million. For the 2024-25 academic year, the Foundation will provide 164 caddies with over $865,000 in scholarships. To learn more, visit njgolf.org/caddie-scholarship.
About the Western Golf Association
The Western Golf Association conducts six national golf championships and sponsors the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the organization was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. In addition to the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR and the NV5 Invitational on the Korn Ferry Tour, the WGA conducts four prestigious amateur championships, the Western Amateur, the Western Junior, and the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur and Junior championships.
About the Evans Scholars Foundation
Established by the WGA and famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled in 24 leading universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the WGA, is funded by contributions from more than 38,500 Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 12,000 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars.
