Left to right, Caddies Elian, Shayla, Mark, Vanessa, Gabriel, Moscow, Ella, Jolayemi, Christopher, Angelique, and Liahbella. (Not pictured are Danny, Isaac and Katelyn.) Credit: Charles Cherney
For nine weeks this summer, 14 teenage caddies were available to walk with golfers and carry the bag at the newly redesigned and reopened public, not-for-profit golf course, The Evans at Canal Shores (1030 Central St.). It’s the first time caddies were an option at this course since it first opened in 1919.
These first-time caddies completed a youth caddie program designed and taught by the Western Golf Association (WGA). The youth caddie program is part of a larger initiative by the WGA to introduce caddying at public golf courses, provide local youth with job opportunities and create an entryway to earn one of the select Chick Evans Scholarships for Caddies provided by the WGA Evans Scholars Foundation.
Caddying at the Evans
The caddie program is one of the new features in the renovated course, in addition to the refurbished golf course and a new youth golf facility. There is no cost to walk the course with a caddie, with the hope and expectation that patrons will tip their caddies generously.
Caddying is a great skill to have and a great summer job for anyone interested in golf. Plus, the Evans Scholarship requires caddying experience. Spencer Groessl, the director of caddie recruitment at Western Golf Association and the Evans Scholars Foundation, said, “The main responsibilities of a caddie are really to take care of the golfer, take care of the golf course, help with pace of play and keep the round moving. The caddie will be there carrying his bag, cleaning his clubs, making sure he doesn’t lose a golf ball, and telling the golfer how far they are from the target.”
The WGA program is free to the caddies enrolled, and any money they make through tips is theirs to keep. To find suitable candidates, the WGA contacted middle and high school counselors, current Evans Scholars and alumni Scholars for recommendations. The WGA looked for students with strong academic records and a good work ethic. About 20 students applied, and the WGA scholarship committee selected 14.
Details of caddying
L to R, Bill Sullivan, Executive Director at the Evans, Shayla, one of the youth caddies, and Spencer Groessl, Director, Caddie Recruitment, Western Golf Association|Evans Scholars Foundation Credit: Wendi Kromash
The three-day training program was led by Groessl, Bill Sullivan, the executive director of the Evans at Canal Shores, Dan Niemiec, an Evans trustee and the course’s caddie program manager. Luke Brenner. Sullivan is a former Evans Scholar, and Brenner is a current Evans Scholar at Miami University in Oxford, OH.
Caddies learn golf terminology, course protocols, how to repair divots and how to use the scanner that accurately estimates yardage. Groessl said that since this is the first professional job for most of the people in the program, they spend a lot of time breaking down the barriers of how to talk to adults, shaking hands, and being of assistance outside in all kinds of weather.
Groessl said, “I know they are going to make mistakes, but I told them to learn from their mistakes so they won’t make the same mistake again.”
Many loops build great experience
Shayla on her first day caddying for Bill Sullivan, executive director of The Evans at Canal Shores Credit: Courtesy of Bill Sullivan
At the Evans, all caddies walk the course with the golfer; they don’t use golf carts. Caddies go out in pairs for safety and to work as a team when caddying. It’s a shorter course than most private clubs, but a loop of 18 holes is close to five miles. One of the first things caddies learn is the importance of eating a good breakfast, staying hydrated (including the night before) and wearing sunscreen.
On June 7, Shayla walked an 18-hole loop with Sullivan, her first time out and the first caddie to be assigned. Groessl intentionally brought in friendly faces and Evans Scholars alumni to go out with the new caddies for the first few days. At the Evans, the work week is Wednesday through Sunday.
Two months later, when the RoundTable met with Groessl, Sullivan and Shayla for this article, Shayla had carried the bag and walked the course with a golfer 35 times.
Who was Chick Evans?
In 1930, amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans, Jr. and the WGA together formed the Evans Scholars Foundation.
Evans was born in 1890 in Indianapolis. His family moved to Chicago in 1893. Later, they moved to Evanston, where he attended an alternative school called Evanston Academy. It’s not clear why he didn’t attend ETHS.
In 1888, he began caddying at Edgewater Golf Club. Evans had a talent for finding lost golf balls in the rough, the long, heavy grass that surrounds the fairway and the putting green. Even though he was only eight years old, his ability to find the lost balls made him popular among the club’s members.
Between caddying and golfing at Edgewater Golf Club, Evans learned the course well and developed a real talent for the sport. In 1907 and 1908, he won the Western Interscholastic tournaments. He helped found the Western Interscholastic Golf Association and, in 1908, led Evanston Academy to a championship. From that point, his accomplishments as an amateur golfer took off. In 1916, he won the U.S. Open and the U.S. Amateur, the first person to win both majors in the same year. Since 1916, that accomplishment has only been done one other time, in 1930 by Bobby Jones.
Evans remained an amateur
Evans enrolled at Northwestern University in 1913 but dropped out after one year because he couldn’t afford it. Professionally, he worked as a wholesale dairy salesman.
The sign at the Evans honoring Chick Evans Credit: Wendi Kromash
Evans went on to compete in 50 amateur tournaments throughout his life, but always retained his amateur status. Evans earned royalties from golf lessons he recorded for the Brunswick Record Company (“Chick” Evans Golf Secrets) as well as from a book, Chick Evans Golf Book, but put all of his golf income into the trust he established.
He credited his mother with the idea of a trust used to help caddies fund their college educations. He convinced the Western Golf Association to help manage the funds and the scholarship program.
The first two caddies to receive scholarships were Harold Fink and Jim McGinnis. Both attended Northwestern and graduated in 1934. For many years, Evans Scholars only attended Northwestern University. Today, there are 12,575 Evans Scholar alumni.
Caddies encouraged to apply
The Evans Scholarship Foundation program, the largest in the U.S. exclusively for caddies, provides recipients with full tuition and housing at one of 27 select colleges and universities for four years. The total value of each scholarship is approximately $125,000. The foundation awarded 360 scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year, bringing the total to 1,260 current Evans Scholars.
All Evans Scholars live in “scholarship houses,” either freestanding structures or a part of a residence hall on campus. Each chapter elects its own officers, selects social service projects and participates in campus programs. The foundation believes that community living is essential to “develop leadership capabilities and strong communication skills,” and contributes to its 98% graduation rate. Groessl said, “Within six months of graduation, 96% of Evans Scholars are either employed or attending graduate school.”
Bill Sullivan, executive director of The Evans at Canal Shores, noted that while only 4% of caddies in the U.S. are female, 38% of the Evans Scholars are female. He wrote in an email, “For the past 10 years we have focused on supporting inclusive youth caddie programs and the results are reflected in the cultural and gender diversity of the scholars.”
Criteria and deadlines
Applicant criteria include:
A strong caddie record of at least two years, plus they make a commitment “to caddie at their sponsoring club the year they apply for the Scholarship.”
Excellent academic performance, having completed their junior year of high school with at least a B average in a college preparatory curriculum.
Demonstrated financial need.
Outstanding character, integrity and leadership abilities.
High school seniors applying for Fall 2026 Evans Foundation Scholarships have upcoming deadlines. The federal financial aid form (FAFSA) is due on or before Oct. 1. The College Board profile (CSS profile) and the rest of the application, including transcripts and letters of recommendation, are due by Oct. 15.
College freshmen may also apply.
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