National Links Trust Announces Life-Changing Scholarships for Washington, DC Area Teens
Two DC-Area Student Caddies Earn Full Evans Scholarships Through Caddie & Internship Program
Washington, DC — National Links Trust (NLT), the nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and advancing accessible, affordable municipal golf, announced today that Adriathan Crockwell of Hyattsville, MD, and Faris Smith of Bethesda, MD, have been awarded the prestigious Evans Scholarship, a full tuition and housing college scholarship for golf caddies. Both students were granted this life-changing opportunity through participation in NLT's Jack Vardaman Workforce Development Program at Langston Golf Course.
Valued at more than $125,000 each over four years, the Evans Scholarship is awarded to caddies who demonstrate outstanding character, strong academic achievement, financial need, and a proven commitment to caddying. Crockwell and Smith were selected following a competitive interview process held February 5 at Baltimore Country Club.
Crockwell and Smith are seniors at Charles Herbert Flowers High School and Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, respectively, and have caddied for multiple years at Langston Golf Course through the Jack Vardaman Workforce Development Program. They will enroll at one of the Evans Scholars Program’s partner universities this fall, with final placements to be determined later this spring.
Launched five years ago, the caddie component of the Jack Vardaman Workforce Development Program is conducted in partnership with the Western Golf Association (WGA). Since its inception, the program has provided paid employment, mentorship, and life skills training to local high school students, reinforcing Langston’s long-standing role as a community anchor.
“This is exactly why our work matters,” said Damian Cosby, PGA, Executive Director of National Links Trust and a WGA Director. “Adriathan and Faris represent the very best of our Jack Vardaman Workforce Development Program. Watching them grow as students, leaders, and young professionals has been incredibly rewarding, and we could not be prouder of this life-changing achievement.”
The announcement comes at a moment of uncertainty for National Links Trust following the federal government’s termination of its long-term lease at Washington, DC’s three public golf courses. Today, the organization is operating the courses on a holdover basis, and NLT remains steadfast in its commitment to serving the community through affordable, accessible public golf and continuing impactful programs like the Jack Vardaman Workforce Development Program to the best of its ability.
“The success of Adriathan and Faris is a powerful reminder of the impact these courses and programs have on young people and the broader community, and why they are worth protecting," said Will Smith, Co-Founder of NLT and a WGA Director.
About National Links Trust
National Links Trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to positively impacting our community and changing lives through affordable and accessible municipal golf.