As the school year wraps up, we honor those who have gone above and beyond this year. Two seniors, Leonardo Saavedra and Saul Galvan, have been selected for the Chick Evans Scholarship. 

This scholarship is a full tuition and housing college scholarship for high-achieving caddies. In order to be eligible, caddies must uphold a caddie record, maintain a cumulative 3.3 GPA and express financial need. According to the Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Association, sixty-five Chicago-area students were awarded this prestigious scholarship valued at more than $120,000 over four years.

Saavedra and Galvan started caddying the summer after freshman year. While Galvan was caddying in Massachusetts over the summer for two months, Saavedra spent 8 weeks caddying and staying in a dorm room at Lake Forest College for his program. Due to COVID complications, Saavedra could not continue caddying in Lake Forest so he went to caddy at nearby Ruth Lake Country Club in Hinsdale. 

Galvan said, “Caddying is definitely challenging, it is not a job for everyone. When I first started out it was really hard because you are working 4-8 hours a day sometimes in the hot sun. It is really intense but I do have a certain love for the game. My coworkers and the members really pushed me, but it is definitely a job that is really gratifying.”

Saavedra said, “I was in shock when I was selected for the Chick Evans Scholarship because I had to wait a long time to hear back. It was stressful waiting because school is super expensive, but it was a huge blessing that answered my family’s prayers.”

Galvan is currently committed to the University of Oregon and Saavedra will be attending Marquette University in the fall. He felt as if it would be the best fit for him and his family.