Washington, D.C. – Golf. My Future. My Game. announced today the achievement of Butheyna Dahmani, a student caddie, as an Evans Scholar through the National Links Trust’s Jack Vardaman Workforce Development Program at historic Langston Golf Course in Washington, D.C. This scholarship provides a full housing and tuition college grant to golf caddies.
Ms. Dahmani, hailing from Washington, D.C., has been a part of Golf. My Future. My Game.’s Learn & Earn program since 2019 and is the first caddie from a Municipal Golf Course in the District of Columbia to receive this prestigious scholarship. She will have the opportunity to attend one of the Program’s 24 partner universities nationwide, with the decision on her awarded school to be finalized by March 15. Richard ‘Jelly’ Hanberry, a long-time PGA Tour caddie and a Member of the African American Golfers Hall of Fame who began his career at Langston Golf Course, expressed his pride in Buthayna’s accomplishment.
He stated “Butheyna’s becoming an Evans Scholar is tremendous. She has worked hard, and she deserves it. What makes me most proud, her caddying at Langston Golf Course, where I also got my start. She is a bright young woman who has a great deal of promise. This opportunity is the beginning of her journey. I wish her continued success.” The Evans Scholarship, valued at over $125,000 over four years, is administered by the Western Golf Association (WGA) and has been supporting the Chick Evans Scholarship Program through the Evans Scholars Foundation since 1930. It is the largest scholarship program for caddies in the nation.
To qualify, students must meet four selection criteria, including a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need, and outstanding character. The Evans Scholars Program, administered by the WGA, has seen a record enrollment of 1,130 caddies at 24 universities nationwide. Since its inception in 1930, over 12,040 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars. The Langston Golf Course in Washington, D.C., has been part of the National Links Trust’s efforts to positively impact the community through golf.
The program, funded by the WGA and in partnership with Golf. My Future. My Game. aims to introduce students to caddying and the potential to earn a full college scholarship. Butheyna is the first Evans Scholar recipient from this program. Craig Kirby, Founder of Golf. My Future. My Game. shares, “Golf is a game that offers unparalleled possibilities, and it is these unparalleled possibilities that we hope individuals in the neighborhoods can learn to appreciate. We work hard every day to create a connection to the game through their (caddies) lens… and so that they can understand the economic opportunities that this $ 102 billion industry has. Butheyna now has that appreciation. I am so happy for her and proud of her work and achievement.”
Butheyna, a senior at Parkmont School, plans to study biology in college and will be the first in her family to attend college. She attributes significant life lessons to her experience as a caddie, emphasizing the importance of adaptability in facing various challenges. The Evans Scholars Program continues to grow nationwide, and the selection process for the 2023-24 academic year is ongoing, with an estimated 340 caddies expected to be awarded the Evans Scholarship. The program receives funds from various sources, including contributions from supporters, Evans Scholars Alumni, and proceeds from events like the BMW Championship.
Butheyna’s achievement as the first Evans Scholar from Washington, D.C., reflects the positive impact golf programs such as Golf. My Future. My Game. has had on young individuals, providing them with educational opportunities and life skills. The Evans Scholars Foundation, with its long-standing history, continues to support deserving caddies across the country.
About Golf. My Future. My Game.
Golf. My Future. My Game. was founded in 2008 by Craig Kirby to create strategic alliance initiatives for education and career development in the sport of golf. The organization seeks to foster greater diversity in the sport of golf through strategically increasing leveraged opportunities and mitigating challenges to the popularity, profitability, and sustainability of the sport of golf.
About the Evans Scholars Foundation
Established by the WGA and famed amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled in 24 leading universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the WGA, is funded by contributions from more than 38,500 Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 12,000 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars.
