Kemper Lakes Golf Caddie Wins Full College Scholarship

A senior from Lake Zurich High School has been awarded the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship, a full tuition and housing college scholarship, to the University of Colorado in Boulder beginning this fall, according to a press release from the Western Golf Association.

 Joseph Greco, who plans to study architectural engineering, has been a caddie at Kemper Lakes Golf Club for three years.  Kemper Lakes, a private golf club, began its Caddie program under the guidance of its members several of whom are former Evans Scholars.

Evans Scholars are golf caddies who are evaluated and compete on four criteria: caddie record, academics, financial need and character and leadership. The Western Golf Association, headquartered in Golf, IL, has overseen the Chick Evans Scholarship Program through the Evans Scholars Foundation since 1930. It is among the nation’s largest privately funded scholarship programs. The scholarship is renewable for up to four years and is valued at more than $70,000.

Greco, who is from Hawthorn Woods, has been on his high school’s high honor roll for three years and in the marching band for four years. He is a member of the school’s technology club and track team and has been an assistant coach for the Lake Zurich Baseball and Softball Association for two years. He also is a religious education volunteer assistant at church and part of its peer ministry program.

“I truly view my opportunity of being a caddie at a golf course as prestigious as Kemper Lakes Golf Club as an honor and a privilege, and I will always be grateful for the character-building experience that this wonderful opportunity has provided,” Greco wrote in his Evans Scholars application essay.

“Joey has excelled in academics and in service to his school and community,” said John Kaczkowski, president and CEO of the WGA/ESF. “We welcome him to the Evans Scholars family and look forward to his continued success as a college student.”

“We are absolutely thrilled for Joey,” said Augie Tonne, a Kemper Lakes member and former Evans Scholar.  “Since the club became private we have been working to establish a top notch caddie program. Joey’s well-deserved recognition is a first for the club and an inspiration for all involved.”

More than 800 caddies are enrolled in colleges across the nation as Evans Scholars, including 43 from the University of Colorado. More than 9,000 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans, Jr.

“The Evans Scholarship is truly a life-changing opportunity for the deserving young men and women who are now able to realize their dream of earning a college education,” said Roger Mohr, Chairman of the Western Golf Association and an Evans Scholar Alum from Marquette.

Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by about 100,000 golfers across the country. Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $4 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 Evans Scholars. Visit evansscholarsfoundation.com for information.