Glenview, Ill. – Four students from the Philadelphia area were recently named recipients of the Platt Evans Scholarship – a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies — following a selection meeting held Feb. 4 at Cedarbrook Country Club in Blue Bell, Penn.
The result of a partnership between the Western Golf Association’s (WGA) Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF) and the Golf Association of Philadelphia’s J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust, Platt Evans Scholars are chosen based on showing a strong caddie record, excellent academics, financial need and outstanding character. This marks the 13th year of the partnership between the ESF and the J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust.
“The Platt Evans Scholarship reflects the very best of what caddying can offer,” said Jeffrey Mitzak, Chairman of J. Wood Platt. “These students have demonstrated leadership and resilience, and we are proud to help support their next chapter as college students and future leaders.”
The students will begin college in the fall of 2026 as Evans Scholars, with most expected to attend Penn State University in State College, Penn. Final university placements will be determined this spring. The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years. A full list of recipients is included below.
The Western Golf Association, headquartered in Glenview Illinois, has supported the Chick Evans Scholarship Program through the ESF since 1930. Known as one of golf’s favorite charities, it is the nation’s largest scholarship program for caddies.
Currently, a record 1,260 caddies are enrolled at 27 universities nationwide as Evans Scholars, including 43 students living at the Platt Evans Scholarship House at Penn State. More than 12,575 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the Program was founded in 1930 by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.
“Each year, the Platt Evans Scholarship opens doors for students who have earned this opportunity through hard work and dedication,” said WGA Chairman Andy Langan. “We are proud to continue this longstanding partnership and to welcome another outstanding group of Philadelphia-area caddies into this community.”
Selection meeting interviews will continue nationwide through spring. By the end of the 2025-26 selection process, an estimated 380 caddies from across the country are expected to receive the Evans Scholarship.
Evans Scholars have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 and a 98 percent graduation rate. An estimated 40 percent are first-generation college students, and 96 percent are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduating.
Funds for the Evans Scholarship come mostly from contributions by more than 43,500 supporters across the country, who are members of the Evans Scholars Par Club program. Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $15 million annually, and all proceeds from the BMW Championship, the penultimate PGA TOUR Playoff event in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup competition, benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation. In 2026, the BMW Championship will be held at Bellerive Country Club in St. Louis, Missouri, from Aug. 18-23.
Listed below are the newly awarded Platt Evans Scholars.
| First Name | Last Name | Hometown | Sponsoring Club | High School |
| Brady | Donaghy | Media | Rolling Green GC | Penncrest HS |
| Michael | Green | Penllyn | Cedarbrook CC | Wissahickon HS |
| Jake | Ruppert | Philadelphia | Union League GC at Torresdale | Father Judge HS |
| James | Reath | Souderton | Union League Liberty Hill | Souderton Area HS |
