2 0 0 7 - 0 8 W G A P A R C L U B - Evans Scholars Foundation

WGA PAR CLUB
“The young men and
women who are finalists
do an excellent – and often
heart-rendering – job
of presenting themselves
and demonstrating their
qualifications and desire
to be awarded an Evans
Scholarship.”
Jeff Harrison
ESF Vice President
Education
Travis Halverson
(right) is interviewed
at Midlothian Country
Club in December
2007.
Kristin Walters (far
right) is escorted
to her interview at
the 2008 St. Louis
Selection Meeting at
Bellerive Country Club
by WGA President and
CEO Don Johnson.
10
Changing Lives ... One Caddie at a Time
Scholar Selection Interviews:
Choosing Top Candidates
www.westerngolfassociation.com
In the summer of 1930, the Western Golf
Association Executive Committee interviewed
a group of prospective candidates
for the first Evans Scholarship.
When the interviews were completed, the
committee – particularly impressed by the poise
and character of two candidates – decided to
award a scholarship to both young men.
A tradition was born, and since the program’s
founding, all prospective Evans Scholars must
complete an interview before the WGA’s Selection
Committee prior to earning their final reward
– a Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship that
covers full tuition and housing.
“Standing in front of a group of individuals
who are going to make a huge impact on your
future can be very intimidating,” said Jeff Harrison,
vice president of education. “The young
men and women who are finalists do an excellent
– and often heart-rendering – job of presenting
themselves and demonstrating their
qualifications and desire to be awarded an Evans
Scholarship. It is truly a special day for everyone
involved.”
A series of Evans Scholars Selection Meetings
are held annually throughout the United States,
with more than 220 Evans Scholarship finalists
appearing before the committee each year.
Soon after each meeting, candidates receive
letters stating whether they have earned an Evans
Scholarship. Many Evans Scholars Alumni
say the day they received their acceptance letter
ranks among the greatest days of their lives.
Jasmine Baker answers questions at a January selection
meeting at Lake Shore Country Club.
Most of those who earn a scholarship attend
one of the 14 universities where the Foundation
owns a Scholarship House.
“The Evans Scholars Program is unique in
that the recipients live together,” Harrison said.
“They work together and compete with other
campus organizations for academic, community
service and athletic honors. Over the course of
their four-year college experience, lifelong friendships
are forged. The Evans Scholars experience
is much more than a four-year college scholarship,
it is truly a lifetime experience.”
To qualify for an Evans Scholarship, a candidate
must meet criteria in four areas: caddie record,
academics, financial need and character.
“We are selecting tomorrow’s leaders,” said
Harrison.