John Kaczkowski: President & CEO, Western Golf Association

John Kaczkowski, president & CEO of the Western Golf Association, shares the inspiring story of how and why his organization sends caddies to college on full scholarships.
November 11, 2025

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In this episode, Mason Reed interviews John Kaczkowski, president and CEO of the Western Golf Association and the Evans Scholars Foundation. John shares his personal journey from growing up in Wisconsin, playing golf, and eventually moving into the golf industry after starting out in the corporate world. 

The WGA, founded in 1899, runs championship golf events to fund the Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides full tuition and housing scholarships to youth caddies. The program was started by Chick Evans in 1930, inspired by his own struggles to afford college. John and Mason discuss the importance of education, why it's beneficial for golfers to take caddies, and what the future of the WGA might hold.

You can learn more about supporting the Western Golf Association and the Evans Scholars Foundation at their website or on Instagram: @wgaesf.

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