Caddie Academy Applications are OPEN!
Scroll down for information.
Did you know?
Three First Tee members were selected for the Evans Scholarship in 2024!
Jack Sundberg, Ian Ngethe, and Iris Too all participated in the First Tee program from a young age, and began caddying at Seattle Golf Club while in high school. Iris attended the Caddie Academy multiple summers, and all three are now freshmen at University of Washington and living in the Evans house!
Thomas Hwang, now a Junior at the University of Washington, earned the opportunity to apply for an Evans Scholarship while caddying at Glendale Country Club from 2017 thru 2019. Thomas grew up as member of First Tee and graduated from Eastlake High School in Sammamish. He’s now attending UW on a full ride, thanks to his his hard work, the support of Glendale CC and its members, and of course the Evans Scholarship Foundation!
Where to Caddie in the Seattle area?
Avalon Golf Links (Burlington)
Glendale Country Club (Bellevue)
Inglewood Golf Club (Kenmore)
Meridian Valley CC (Kent)
Sahalee Country Club (Sammamish)
Sand Point Country Club (North Seattle)
Seattle Golf Club (Shoreline)
Why become a Caddie?
- You enjoy the game of golf, and want to learn more about it.
- Opportunities to network with successful adults.
- You are looking for part-time work and a way to make income during the spring and summer months.
- College is expensive, and you would like to seek a full college tuition through the Evans Scholarship program!
Who is eligible to Caddie?
- Responsible, young adults age 14+. Minimum age can vary by facility.
- Some knowledge about, appreciation for, and interest in the game of golf.
- Physically capable of carrying a golf bag for 18 holes.
- Must have reliable transportation to the golf course.
- Attend training or orientation at your home facility.
How to Prepare
- WGA Caddie Training Manual and other materials, which available for free as a download or you can purchase hard copies for delivery.
- Attend an orientation where you plan to caddie
Interested in Caddying?
Submit this form:
Applications are open for 2025 (through February 1st)
The WGA Caddie Academy provides qualifying teenage girls with a 7-week overnight caddie camp, and specifically to those who are interested in ultimately applying for an Evans Scholarship. Each summer, students come from all across the United States to caddie at clubs in one of a few select areas, including Seattle, while living together under the guidance of WGA staff and current Evans Scholars.
Eligibility
All applicants must:
- Currently be females in their freshman year of high school
- Exhibit character and leadership through school and community extracurricular activities.
- Have a track record of academic success (3.2 GPA or above)
- Demonstrate financial need
Duration
The program runs for seven weeks from mid-June through early August.
Housing
University of Washington Evans Scholarship House in the University District
Commitment
Participants are expected to caddie six days a week, including weekends. Most clubs are closed on Mondays. There will be some Monday outings that the participants will caddie in as well.
Cost
The program is free for all participants, and participants keep the money they earn from caddying.
Participants are chosen during their freshman year, based on outstanding academics, leadership and character. Through the Caddie Academy, students have the chance to earn real income, meet role models and learn invaluable life lessons on the golf course. After successfully completing three summers, they become eligible to apply for the Evans Scholarship, a full tuition and housing college scholarship. To date, 175 graduates of the Caddie Academy have been awarded Evans Scholarships.
In addition to caddying, participants take part in special activities, including attending sporting events, educational field trips, career talks and standardized test training.
Evans Scholarship
The Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship is a full tuition and housing college scholarship for golf caddies that is renewable for up to four years. Each year, more than 960 deserving caddies across the country attend college on a four-year scholarship from the Evans Scholars Foundation. Selected applicants must have a strong caddie record, excellent grades, outstanding character and demonstrated financial need. Read more about the scholarship requirements.
Since 1930, when the first two Evans Scholars enrolled at Northwestern University, more than 10,600 outstanding young men and women have been awarded Evans Scholarships. Most recipients attend one of the 14 universities across the nation where the Evans Scholars Foundation operates a Scholarship House.
The Western Golf Association awards over 800 full tuition Evans Scholarships each year around the country for those who meet the following criteria: 50+ rounds of caddying in high school over at least two years, demonstrated financial need, academic performance, and outstanding character and leadership experience and/or community service.
The WGA selection committee is consistently impressed by members of The First Tee, so get involved in one of the local caddying programs and start looping. Eagle member Kevin Rini did, and was selected in 2014 for a full scholarship to the University of Washington. You will now find Kevin working at the UW Driving Range while enrolled as an undergraduate. Drop in and say hello, congratulations, and ask about his experience.
Pictured above: Kevin Rini, 2014 Evans Scholar and Craig Bruya, Evans Scholar Alumni and former First Tee Board President
Pictured above: Thomas Hwang, 2020 Evans Scholar (center), Thomas’s uncle (left) and Evan Johnsen, First Tee Program Director (Right)