AIKEN — The Western Golf Association is based in Illinois, but its Evans Scholars Foundation is having a positive impact on young people in Aiken County. Benton Orr, an Aiken High School graduate, and DJ Bookard, a North Augusta High School graduate, are members of the inaugural Evans Scholars class at the University of South Carolina. They also are the first two Evans Scholars from the Old Barnwell golf club’s youth caddie program. Bookard began his pursuit of higher education at Livingstone College in North Carolina and is transferring to the University of South Carolina. The Evans Scholars Foundation was established more than 90 years ago to send deserving caddies to college. Orr and Bookard’s scholarships cover the cost of tuition and housing. Tim Newman spoke to the Rotary Club of Aiken about the Western Golf Association and the Evans Scholars Foundation on July 21 at Newberry Hall. In addition, he introduced Orr and Bookard to the club. Newman is an Evans Scholar who attended Purdue University and he also is a Rotarian. The Western Golf Association conducts amateur and professional tournaments, including the PGA Tour’s BMW Championship, which formerly was known as the Western Open. The Evans Scholars Foundation is the nation’s largest scholarship program for caddies. More than 11,000 Evans Scholars have graduated from college. The graduation rate for Evans Scholars is “over 98%,” according to Newman’s presentation.