Hopkins Resident Receives Chick Evans Scholarship

Hopkins resident Joshua Romportl is one of 11 Minnesota high school students whom the Western Golf Association awarded the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship, a full tuition and housing college scholarship for outstanding caddies.

The Chesterton Academy student, who was sponsored by , was awarded the scholarship to the University of Minnesota, where he will live in the Evans Scholarship House, according to a news release from the Western Golf Association/Evans Scholars Foundation.

The association awarded the scholarships based on the students’ caddie records, academics, financial need and outstanding character. Recipients were chosen after individual interviews. The scholarship can be renewed up to four years and is valued at more than $70,000.

“These young men and women have been outstanding leaders in the classroom and in both their schools and communities,” the release quoted John Kaczkowski, president and CEO of the organization. “We welcome them to the Evans Scholars family and know they will continue their success as college students.”

There are currently 825 caddies enrolled in colleges as Evans Scholars, including 60 from the University of Minnesota. More than 9,400 have graduated as Evans Scholars, including 596 from the University of Minnesota, since Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. founded the program in 1930.

The scholarship money comes mostly from contributions by members of the WGA Evans Scholars Par Club. Evans Scholars alumni donate more than $4 million annually, and all proceeds from the BMW Championship, the third of four PGA Tour playoff events in the PGA Tour’s FedExCup competition, are donated to Evans Scholars, according to the news release.

“The Evans Scholarship is truly a life-changing opportunity for the deserving young men and women who will now be able to realize their dream of earning a college education,” the release quoted Ede Rice, lead WGA Director in Minnesota.

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