by Kalyn Long

For a group of 43 high school girls from across the U.S., their summer jobs have them reporting to duty by 6:45 a.m. every morning ready to lug around heavy bags of golf clubs in the hot sun.

What would motivate a teenager to get a summer job like this? A chance at a full college scholarship.

From June 21- Aug. 8, the Western Golf Association’s Caddie Academy tees off each day in Evanston, Illinois, on the campus of Northwestern University. During the seven-week program, the girls caddie daily at one of several clubs on the North Shore of Chicago while living in the Northwestern Evans Scholarship House.

This unique Program gives girls the opportunity of a lifetime – a chance to earn a full housing and tuition scholarship valued at $80,000 through the WGA’s Chick Evans Scholarship program.

Although nearly 900 deserving golf caddies across the country attend college each year on the Chick Evans Scholarship, the WGA launched the Caddie Academy four years ago to bring more caddying opportunities—and subsequently, full college scholarships—to young women – mostly minority – who are socioeconomically disadvantaged and geographically isolated from golf courses.

Those who successfully complete the program apply for the Evans Scholarship, a program for caddies who demonstrate financial need, strong character, outstanding caddie capabilities and academic achievement.