Bothell High School caddie receives full scholarship for college

Caddie John Marks of Bothell High School has been awarded the Chick Evans Scholarship through the Western Golf Association (WGA). Marks will begin college this fall as an Evans Scholar at University of Washington.

March 9, 2015 12:58 pm

Caddie John Marks of Bothell High School has been awarded the Chick Evans Scholarship through the Western Golf Association (WGA). Marks will begin college this fall as an Evans Scholar at University of Washington.

“College is an important stepping stone in pursuing my career, and the Evans Scholarship is a life-changing program for those awarded this special scholarship,” Marks said.

The full college tuition and housing scholarship is valued at an estimated $80,000 over four years.

The scholarship’s four selection criteria were a strong caddie report, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character.

WGA directors and Evans Scholars alumni interviewed each of the recipients at a selection meeting on Feb. 18 at Seattle Golf Club, as they sought to capture a spot in one of the nation’s largest privately funded scholarship programs.

Currently, 870 caddies are enrolled in 18 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 10,000 caddies, including over 220 from Washington, have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.

“These caddies have worked tirelessly to put themselves in a position to receive this life-changing opportunity,” said Craig Bruya, a lead WGA director in the state of Washington and a Washington Evans Scholars Alumnus. “Their stories of perseverance, hard work and sacrifice are inspiring, and we look forward to watching them grow over the next four years.”

Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by more than 26,000 golfers across the country who are members of the WGA Par Club. Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $8 million annually, and all proceeds from the BMW Championship, the third of four PGA TOUR Playoff events in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup competition, are donated to the Evans Scholars Foundation.

“Based on their excellence in the classroom and service to their schools and communities, there is little doubt that these two caddies have earned this life-changing opportunity,” said John Kaczkowski, president and CEO of the WGA. “We welcome them to the Evans Scholars family.”