GLENVIEW, Ill. (April 16, 2020) – The 2020 Evans Scholars Invitational, originally set for May 20-24 at The Glen Club in Glenview, Illinois, has been postponed to a yet to be determined date due to the ongoing health crisis related to COVID-19, PGA TOUR and Western Golf Association officials announced today.
“We’re working with the TOUR and The Glen Club on rescheduling the event for later this year,” said Vince Pellegrino, WGA senior vice president of tournaments. “We’re disappointed that we won’t be able to conduct the Evans Scholars Invitational in May. However, our first priority remains the health and safety of the players, fans, sponsors, volunteers and everyone in the local community.”
Since March 12, the coronavirus pandemic has forced the cancellation of nine Korn Ferry Tour events, while three events – including the Evans Scholars Invitational – have been postponed. The Tour is currently slated to return to competition the week of June 8-14 with an event in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
“We conduct the Evans Scholars Invitational to raise funds and greater awareness for the Evans Scholars Foundation’s scholarship programs for caddies, and we’re looking forward to the opportunity to hold the Invitational at a later date.” Pellegrino said. “Even so, the tournament will be held only when government officials and health experts agree that it is once again safe to resume public sporting events.”
First held in 2019, the Evans Scholars Invitational provides the WGA with an added fundraising opportunity for the Evans Scholars Foundation, which offers full tuition and housing scholarships to deserving caddies across the nation. This past year, 1,010 Evans Scholars were enrolled at 18 universities. Since its founding in 1930, more than 11,050 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars.
The Korn Ferry Tour features 28 tournaments played in 20 states and four countries outside the United States, with the season culminating with the Korn Ferry Tour Finals in August.
Scottie Scheffler rallied from a six-shot deficit to claim his first Korn Ferry Tour title at the inaugural Evans Scholars Invitational at The Glen Club in 2019. The Korn Ferry Tour rookie defeated Marcelo Rozo in a playoff.
The win propelled Scheffler to a spot on the PGA TOUR, where he’s finding success in his rookie season. Scheffler – the 2019 Korn Ferry Tour Rookie and Player of the Year – has four top-10 finishes this year on the TOUR. He is 19th in the FedExCup Playoff standings, just ahead of Adam Scott and Jon Rahm.
With 50 available PGA TOUR cards for the following season, the Korn Ferry Tour is the path to the PGA TOUR. Twenty-five TOUR cards are reserved for the leading point earners at the end of the Regular Season. Another 25 are up for grabs at the three-event Korn Ferry Tour Finals in August.
Notable PGA TOUR stars who got their start on the Korn Ferry Tour include major champions Justin Thomas, Jason Day, Bubba Watson and Zach Johnson. Thomas won the 2019 BMW Championship conducted by the WGA, Day won the 2015 BMW Championship, and Johnson won the 2013 BMW Championship.
For more information on the Evans Scholars Invitational, visit www.esinvitational.com.
For more information on the Korn Ferry Tour, visit PGATOUR.com.
About Western Golf Association
The Western Golf Association conducts six national golf championships and sponsors the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the organization was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. In addition to the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR and the Evans Scholars Invitational on the Korn Ferry Tour, the WGA conducts four prestigious amateur championships, the Western Amateur, the Western Junior, and the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur and Junior championships.
About the Evans Scholars Foundation
Established by 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 1,010 caddies are enrolled in 18 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the Western Golf Association, is funded by contributions from more than 32,500 Evans Scholars Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 11,050 caddies nationwide have graduated as Evans Scholars. To learn more, visit www.wgaesf.org.
About Korn Ferry Tour
Founded (1990), owned and operated by the PGA TOUR, the Korn Ferry Tour identifies and develops those players who are ready to compete and win on golf’s biggest stage. In 2013, the Korn Ferry Tour became The Path to the PGA TOUR with all 50 available PGA TOUR cards coming through the Tour and the season culminating at the Korn Ferry Tour Finals. This season marks the 31st year of competition on the Korn Ferry Tour. Three out of four PGA TOUR members are Korn Ferry Tour alumni. Tour alumni have won more than 500 PGA TOUR titles, including 24 major championships and eight PLAYERS Championships. To learn more about the PGA TOUR, the Korn Ferry Tour and to follow the season-long quest for a PGA TOUR card, visit PGATOUR.COM, or follow the Tour on social media via Instagram (@KornFerryTour), Twitter (@KornFerryTour) and Facebook (facebook.com/KornFerryTour).
About Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry is a global organizational consulting firm that works with clients to design their organizational structures, roles and responsibilities. Korn Ferry helps their clients hire the right people and advise them on how to reward, develop and motivate their workforce. And, Korn Ferry helps professionals navigate and advance their careers.
