(Portland, OR) –
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is now accepting applications for the Early Adventures in Golf for a Lifetime of Enjoyment (EAGLE) Caddie Program. This unique program gives current ninth-grade students the chance to gain valuable work experience, earn money over the summer, and potentially qualify for a full Evans Scholarship to the University of Oregon.
No prior golf experience is needed! Applications are open through May 3, 2025.
EAGLE is a collaboration between PP&R’s Portland Parks Golf, the Western Golf Association Evans Scholars Foundation, and high schools across Portland. The program provides hands-on job experience and encourages applications from students who are Black, Indigenous, people of color, female, non-binary, immigrants, or refugees.
“The EAGLE program provides valuable work experience and a pathway to higher education for young people in Portland,” says Portland Parks & Recreation Director Adena Long. “Our EAGLE caddies have overcome adversity to reach this point, and we’re proud of their accomplishments. We encourage all eligible ninth-grade students to apply."
Through the EAGLE program, students can apply for the highly regarded Evans Scholarship, which covers full college tuition and housing at the University of Oregon.
Congratulations to the 2024 EAGLE caddies awarded full scholarships!
- Julie Liu – Eastmoreland Golf Course, McDaniel High School
- Natalie Herrejon-Balderas – Eastmoreland Golf Course, Parkrose High School
- Zyhara West – Heron Lakes Golf Course, Jefferson High School
Since 1989, 80 Portland students have received full tuition and housing through the Evans Scholarship.
The Evans Scholarship is valued at over $125,000 for four years. The Western Golf Association (WGA) reports that1,190 caddies are currently enrolled at 24 universities nationwide as Evans Scholars. Since the program began in 1930, over 12,285 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars. Evans Scholars maintain an average GPA of 3.3 and have a 98% graduation rate, with 95% employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation.
How to Apply to be an EAGLE
Applications are open through May 3, 2025. For more information and to apply, visit portland.gov/parks/sports/eagle.
- Only freshmen currently enrolled in public or private high schools within the city of Portland* are eligible to apply for this three-year program
- Participants are required to work up to 20 hours a week during the summer
- Must have a good school attendance record
- Must have achieved a ninth-grade cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.25
- Students’ family household income must not exceed $75,000
- Participants must enroll in the three-year EAGLE program with the expectation of completing it
*Students who attend high schools that are not located within the city of Portland may contact the following golf courses about their area’s respective caddie programs: Oswego Lake Country Club, Portland Golf Club, Riverside Golf and Country Club, Royal Oak Country Club in Vancouver, Tualatin Country Club, Waverley Country Club, and Willamette Valley Country Club.[MA1]
Photo captions (from L-R): Evans scholarship winters Julie Liu, Natalie Herrejon-Balderas, and Zyhara West (pictured together in one photo; plus one shot of all this year’s EAGLE caddies).
About Golf at Portland Parks & Recreation
Portland Parks & Recreation’s Golf program offers affordable, quality golf to Portland residents and visitors. Our five golf courses are conveniently located around the metro area and offer unparalleled access to our nationally recognized courses. More info is at portland.gov/parks/sports/golf.
# # #
[MA1]I think we can delete this because it’s on the How to Apply page.