Killington Mountain School senior Rocco Jones has been awarded the Western Golf Association’s Chick Evans Scholarship, a full, four-year housing and tuition scholarship for golf caddies. The Evans Scholarship, the nation’s largest privately funded scholarship program, is valued at approximately $125,000 over four years.
Jones, a Chittenden resident, was among four caddies from Sankaty Head Golf Club in Nantucket, Massachusetts, to receive the prestigious award. The selection process considers four key criteria: a strong caddie record, academic excellence, demonstrated financial need, and outstanding character.
“Caddying has helped me develop strong character and independence,” said Jones. “As I gain important knowledge to create, build, and eventually manage my own business in college, I aim to continue caddying to strengthen the connections I have now and create new ones.”
Jones and his fellow scholarship recipients—Harley Caceres (New York City), Dillon Madkins (Chicago), and Tawanda Masiiwa (Wellesley, Mass.)—will begin college in the fall of 2025, with their chosen universities to be announced this spring.
Since its founding in 1930 by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Program has supported over 12,285 graduates. Currently, 1,190 Evans Scholars are enrolled at 24 universities across the country.
“We are so proud of these four young men, who make outstanding caddies, and we look forward to seeing great things from them as Evans Scholars,” said Dave Hinman, director of the Sankaty Head Caddie Program.
The Evans Scholars Foundation, administered by the Western Golf Association (WGA), provides life-changing opportunities for caddies. Recognized as the Scholarship Provider of the Year by the National Scholarship Providers Association, the program boasts a 98% graduation rate, with many recipients being first-generation college students.
The Evans Scholarship is primarily funded by contributions from more than 36,000 donors nationwide, including Evans Scholars alums who collectively donate over $15 million annually. The program is also supported by proceeds from the BMW Championship, a key event in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup competition.
For more information about the Evans Scholars Program, visit: wgaesf.org.
