2-14-2023 9:05am

Lebanon Senior Henry Schepker Awarded Full College Scholarship

Beth Callahan Editor

(Contributed Photo) Henry Schepker recently awarded the Western Golf Association’s Chick Evans Scholarship.

LEBANON, OH -- Lebanon High School's Henry Schepker was recently chosen as one of the 24 Ohio high school seniors awarded the Western Golf Association’s Chick Evans Scholarship. The scholarship is a full, four-year housing and tuition scholarship.

The scholarship is offered to golf caddies for which to apply. Schepker made it through the final selection meeting interview held at Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio, on Jan. 12. Schepker is planning on attending Miami University in the fall.

While each caddie has a unique story, chosen candidates must meet the scholarship's four selection criteria: a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character.

“Each student has demonstrated excellence in the classroom, on the golf course and in their communities,” said WGA Chairman Joe Desch. “We are thrilled for them to join an exceptional class of newly awarded Evans Scholars from across the nation.”

The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years. When the 2022-23 selection meeting process is complete, an estimated 325 caddies are expected to be awarded the Evans Scholarship.

Currently, a record 1,100 caddies are enrolled at 22 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 11,800 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.

“These young students represent what our Program has been about since 1930,” said WGA President and CEO John Kaczkowski. “We are proud to welcome them to the Evans Scholars family.”

The Western Golf Association, headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, has supported the Chick Evans Scholarship Program through the Evans Scholars Foundation since 1930. Known as one of golf’s favorite charities, it is the nation’s largest scholarship program for caddies. Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by more than 36,000 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, are donated to the Evans Scholars Foundation.

In 2023, the BMW Championship will be held at Olympia Fields Country Club in Illinois, from Aug. 17-20. To learn more about the WGA and ESF, visit wgaesf.org.