Two Inverness Golf Club caddies named Evans Scholars

Two members of the Inverness Golf Club caddie program have been awarded Evans Scholarships by the Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation (WGAESF). The two were among 58 students from the Chicago area to receive this prestigious award.

The Inverness Golf Club recipients were Donny Carl and Quinn Finder. Carl is planning to major in computer engineering and will attend Northwestern University in the fall. He currently attends Fremd High School.

Finder, who attends Conant High School, hails from Hoffman Estates and will attend Marquette University, majoring in psychology.

The Evans Scholarship covers tuition and housing for four years for recipients.

"We are exceptionally proud of Donny and Quinn for receiving this extraordinary level of recognition," said William Skelnik, general manager and chief operating officer at Inverness Golf Club.

"Over the years, our members have developed a comprehensive caddie program that teaches young men and women important skills that we believe help establish a path for success in their lives."

The Western Golf Association, headquartered in Glenview, 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.

Currently, a record 1,070 caddies are enrolled at 21 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 11,500 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles "Chick" Evans Jr.

Laura Johnson, Larry Austermiller, Russell P. Fitton, DDS, and Tom Valverde serve as WGAESF directors for ICG. The caddie program at the club is open to students 14 and older, who complete training and pass a test. Caddies then work their way through the program from a B caddie to A level and potentially Honor caddies.

"The caddie team is an important part of the IGC golf experience, and young people like Donny and Quinn are excellent examples of how being a part of the team can provide opportunities to participants," said Chuck DeJan, longtime Caddie Master at Inverness Golf Club.

"I know they will succeed as they begin their college careers this fall."

For more information, visit www.invernessgolfclub.org.