Benton Orr, a senior at Aiken High School, has been named a recipient of the Evans Scholarship, a highly competitive full housing and tuition college grant for golf caddies. Orr, who plans to study political science, is one of three students from South Carolina to receive the scholarship, marking the inaugural class of Evans Scholars at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.
Orr is joined by DJ Bookard of North Augusta and Simon McAlister of Beaufort in earning the scholarship, which is valued at more than $125,000 over four years. The selections were made following a virtual interview process held in February 2026, culminating in the announcement of these three students as the first from the state to join the program at the Columbia campus.
The Evans Scholarship Program is administered by the Western Golf Association and is renowned for supporting students who demonstrate a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need, and outstanding character. These criteria are central to the program’s mission of providing life-changing educational opportunities to deserving young people.
Both Orr and Bookard share a connection through Old Barnwell, a golf course in the Aiken area, from which they are the first caddies to be awarded the Evans Scholarship. This highlights the growing opportunities for young people in the Central Savannah River Area to leverage their caddying experience into significant academic support.
The Evans Scholars Program has been expanding its reach nationwide, with a particular focus on introducing the opportunity to caddie and earn a full college scholarship to students in newer areas. This includes regions like Charleston and Aiken, and across the broader state of South Carolina, fostering a new generation of scholars from diverse backgrounds.
### Why it matters in Aiken
Benton Orr’s achievement as an Aiken High School senior receiving the Evans Scholarship underscores the academic potential within the Aiken County Public School District and the broader community. His success provides a tangible example of how local students can access significant higher education opportunities through dedication and extracurricular involvement. As Orr prepares to attend the University of South Carolina in Columbia, his journey reflects positively on the educational environment in Aiken and can inspire other students within the district to pursue similar pathways. The presence of institutions like the University of South Carolina Aiken also contributes to a culture that values academic excellence and community engagement, reinforcing the importance of such scholarships for the city’s future leaders.
