Western Amateur raises $150,000 for caddie program

ROLAND, Ark. (Nov. 20, 2013) – The 111th Western Amateur championship, held this summer at The Alotian Club in Roland, Ark., raised $150,000 for the Evans Scholars Foundation, Western Golf Association and Alotian Club officials announced today. The tournament marked the first time the Western Amateur had been played in Arkansas, with a field of 156 of the world’s best Amateur golfers competing July 28-Aug. 4 in one of the oldest and most prestigious amateur championships in the world. Warren Stephens, founder of The Alotian Club, announced the contribution today at an Evans Scholars Selection Meeting at the club. “When first approached about hosting the Western Amateur, I knew it was important for the tournament to be a first class experience as well as financially beneficial for the Western Golf Association,” Stephens said. “This donation is a direct result of the incredible support from the patrons, the sponsors, and the volunteers.” Won by Jordan Niebrugge of Mequon, Wis., the championship provided a high-profile platform to showcase the beauty of the Tom Fazio-designed course at The Alotian Club while also highlighting the club’s support of caddies and the WGA’s Evans Scholars Foundation. Established by famed amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans, the Evans Scholars Foundation grants full academic and housing scholarships to caddies of modest means. “Warren Stephens and The Alotian Club have demonstrated exceptional support for our Western Amateur and also for our Evans Scholars program,” said John Kaczkowski, WGAESF President and CEO. “This generous financial contribution underscores the value of their commitment to our championships and scholarships and will help us offer a life-changing educational opportunity to more young men and women.” The Alotian Club boasts three current Evans Scholars: Brothers Joe, Kevin and Timothy Evans who all caddied at the Tom Fazio-designed course built by Little Rock businessman Warren Stephens in 2004. Joe and Kevin both attend Northwestern University and Timothy attends Marquette University. Another Alotian Club caddie – and Evans brother – is the latest in the family to receive an Evans Scholarship. Peter Evans, a senior at Central Arkansas Christian High School who caddied in the 2013 Western Amateur, was awarded an Evans Scholarship to the University of Colorado, Boulder, after an interview today with WGA and Alotian Club officials. He is the sixth member of his family to become an Evans Scholar. His older sister Colleen, (Marquette ’03), and brother Paul (Illinois ’11) also earned Evans Scholarships, caddying at Inverness Golf Club in Palatine, Illinois, before the family moved to Arkansas. “All of my siblings have gained lifelong friendships and connections from their college experiences, and this especially is true of those who were awarded Evans Scholarships,” Peter said. “As an Evans Scholar, I feel I will become a part of an extended family of diverse people who are united by their bond of having caddied. This is such a proud accomplishment for me and my family.”