Federal Way, Wash. - The 15th annual Evans Cup of Oregon, held Monday, September 17 at Waverley Country Club in Portland, and the 21st annual Evans Cup of Washington, held September 24 at Sand Point Country Club in Seattle, combined to raise $250,000 to benefit the Evans Caddie Scholarship Program. The $125,000 raised at the Oregon event was a record-breaking amount.
The funds generated at these annual fundraisers help support the Evans Scholars who attend the University of Oregon, Oregon State University, University of Washington and Washington State University. Currently, there are 49 young men and women Evans Scholars from the Northwest, with each of them receiving four year, full tuition and housing grants valued at over $50,000.
Each year, the Washington State Golf Association (WSGA), Oregon Golf Association (OGA), Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) and Western Golf Association (WGA) Directors conduct these first-class events consisting of a day filled with golf during which current Evans Scholars caddie for participants, gourmet dinner, and upscale silent and live auction items. Funds at these Evans Cups are raised through sponsorships and the auction items. KeyBank is the Presenting Sponsor of both Evans Cups, and is a major contributor in supporting the Evans Caddie Scholarship Program in the Northwest.
"It is fantastic to see the enthusiastic support for the Evans Scholarship as we set out to expand the Program in the Northwest," said Bill Moses, Director of the West Region for the Evans Scholars Foundation. "We are grateful for all those in the golf community who have so generously contributed to the success of the events. With the funds raised from the Evans Cups we will be able to make this life-changing opportunity available to more young men and women who will be able to realize their dream of a college education."
Highlights from both evenings included testimonials from current Scholars, with the young students telling their personal stories to the audience of their efforts in becoming an Evans Scholar and of the impact it has made in their young lives. At the Oregon event, Kate Burr, who is currently attending Oregon State University, spoke about the challenges of being the only female caddie when she first started, and also of the community involvement she has been able to perform while attending university, made possible because the scholarship gave her the time to do so. And at the Washington event, Darcie Richmond spoke of the heartbreak of a family illness, and of the scholarship which relieved her family of the financial burden of sending her to school.
At the Washington event, longtime WGA Director Brooks Whittle was honored for his support in almost single-handedly making the Evans Cup of Washington what it has become today, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars for the scholarships. "I consider all of these kids my grandchildren," said Whittle, after receiving a standing ovation at the dinner. "To see so many kids be given an opportunity is a great thing, and that's what I've tried to do, just find some way to give them an opportunity to succeed." It was announced at the dinner that the Evans Cup perpetual trophy, given to the winning team of the day's golf competition, will now be called the Brooks Whittle Trophy.
The Evans Scholars Foundation, sponsored by the Western Golf Association, administers the nation's largest privately funded college scholarship program, providing full tuition and housing grants to deserving caddies. Since the first two Scholars enrolled at Northwestern University in 1930, nearly 10,000 young men and women have graduated from the program. This year, 835 Evans Scholars are enrolled at 19 universities across the country. In order for high school students to qualify they must be nominated by their golf club and meet the following four requirements: excellent academic record with above a B average in college preparatory classes, have a strong caddie record for two or more years, demonstrate financial need, and have outstanding personal character.
For more information on the Evans Caddie Scholarship Program, including how to apply for scholarships and how a club can provide opportunities for young applicants, please visit www.wgaesf.com.
Click here to see all results from the Evans Cup of Washington.
Click here to see all results from the Evans Cup of Oregon.
