BEVERLY — Three Southwest Side students have been named recipients of the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship.
The Evans scholars include Reilly Neeson of the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, Madeline Kelly of Marist High School and Elizabeth Evans of Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School.
The scholarships cover full tuition and housing expenses at one of 19 universities throughout the country — 14 of which boast an Evans Scholarship House.
Neeson, a caddie at Ridge Country Club in Beverly, will attend the University of Illinois. Kelly, a caddie at Crystal Tree Golf and Country Club in suburban Orland Park, will attend Marquette University. And Evans, a caddie at Beverly Country Club, will attend Indiana University.
The three students attending high schools in Mount Greenwood were among 12 caddies selected for the scholarships on Nov. 18 at Midlothian Country Club in southwest suburban Midlothian.
The students will all begin classes at their chosen universities in the fall. The scholarship is valued at more than $80,000 over four years, according to a news release issued by the Western Golf Association.
The association has administered the Chick Evans Scholarship Program through the Evans Scholars Foundation since 1930. The charity is among the nation’s largest privately funded scholarship programs.
Evans Scholars are chosen based on their caddie record, academics, financial need and character.
The scholarship is funded primarily by the contributions of 26,000 golfers across the country who are members of the WGA Evans Scholars Par Club program.
Evans Scholars Alumni also donate more than $5 million annually, and all proceeds from the BMW Championship are donated to Evans Scholars.
Elizabeth Evans of Morgan Park plans to study international relations at Indiana University with the goal to someday work for the United Nations.
Evans said the selection process was intimidating as parts of her scholarship essay were read aloud to more than 100 scholarship committee members.
She emphasized her involvement in theater and Varsity Club at Mother McAuley and was specifically asked about the atmosphere at the all-girls Catholic high school at 3737 W. 99th St. in Mount Greenwood.
"Normally, you’re with three other caddies who are all boys, and four men golfers, so the confidence gained from the all-girl atmosphere really hits home when I’m working,” Evans said.
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