Jazzmine Garcia is no stranger to facing doubt. “There is always someone who does not believe in me: ‘You are Mexican; you will not succeed. You’re a girl, you can’t do that. You are Catholic, you can’t say that,’” she said. “But I believe I can triumph in whatever I set my mind to. I have no limits.” Garcia, who attends Rosary High School in Aurora, plans to become the second person in her family to go to college, and the first to become a doctor. Her time spent caddying at Aurora Country Club – where she worked with mostly male caddies and was honored as Caddie of the Year – has shown she can carry a heavy load.

Now she’s focusing on everything she can do. Garcia was among 15 students from the Chicago area who were recently awarded the Chick Evans Scholarship, a full, four-year housing and tuition college scholarship awarded to golf caddies. Recipients attended a selection meeting at Ridgemoor Country Club in Chicago on March 1, the last step in the process before being awarded the Evans Scholarship. Winners will attend various universities in the Midwest beginning this fall, including the University of Illinois, University of Notre Dame and Northwestern University.

Evans Scholars are chosen based on demonstrating a strong caddie record, excellent academics, financial need and outstanding leadership and character. The scholarship is valued at more than $80,000 over four years. More recipients from the Chicago area will be named this spring. Each of these deserving Scholars epitomizes what our Program has been about since its creation in 1930,” said WGA Chairman David Robinson. “Their dedication, hard work and sacrifice is inspiring, and we are honored to be able to help them pursue their dreams.” For more information or to view the full list of recipients, visit www.wgaesf.org.