Members of the
Evans Scholars
Foundation
join hundreds
of viewers for
the golf-centric film’s
Windy City debut
More than 200 supporters of the Evans Scholars Foundation visited AMC River East in downtown Chicago on Thursday, May 30, for the Chicago premiere of Loopers: The Caddie’s Long Walk.
Hailed as the most thorough feature-length documentary on caddying ever developed — and narrated by actor Bill Murray — Loopers features the Evans Scholars Foundation prominently.
LOOPERS: THE CADDIE’S LONG WALK | OFFICIAL FILM TRAILER
Following the premiere, President and CEO John Kaczkowski conducted a Q&A with Executive Producer Jim Packer, Evans Scholar Alum and “Loopers” investor George Solich, and distributor Gravitas Ventures President Michael Murphy.
“We strongly believe that caddying is the best summer job a young person can have, and to see the unique caddie-player relationship come to life on the big screen was really special,” Kaczkowski said. “We were thrilled by the opportunity to host the premiere of this documentary.”
Loopers features interviews with Murray, a member of the Caddie Hall of Fame; World Golf Hall of Famers Sir Nick Faldo, Tom Watson, Ben Crenshaw, Lee Trevino and Curtis Strange; former Masters Tournament and U.S. Open champion Fuzzy Zoeller; and a host of professional caddies.
The 80-minute documentary also follows the stories of youth caddies working to earn a full tuition and housing Evans Scholarship.
“I’m really proud of being able to showcase the Evans Scholars Foundation in the movie,” Solich said. “When you talk about caddies, if you’re not talking about the Evans Scholars Foundation, you’re missing a very big part about caddying.”
Reviews of the film have touted its accuracy and interest beyond golf.
Loopers was the recipient of the “Ad Hoc Docs” award at the Cleveland International Film Festival in early April and will make its international debut June 21 at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in Scotland. The film is scheduled for release at theaters in 100 cities nationwide on Friday, June 7, 2019.
“I’ve always felt this was a story that needed to be told,” Packer said. “You make these movies for those moments when you can actually be in the theater and people can enjoy it with you.”
ABOUT LOOPERS: THE CADDIE’S LONG WALK
Loopers is directed by Southern California filmmaker Jason Baffa. It was filmed at some of the more iconic locations in golf such as the Augusta (GA) National Golf Club, Pebble Beach (CA) Golf Links, The Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland, numerous other vaunted courses in Scotland and Ireland such as Carnoustie, Prestwick, Ballybunion and Lahinch and Bandon Dunes (OR). To request a private screening this summer, go to www.loopersmovie.com/request-a-screening.
ABOUT THE EVANS SCHOLARS FOUNDATION
Established by famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition college scholarships to high-achieving caddies from across the country. The Program, supported by the Western Golf Association, is funded by contributions from more than 32,500 donors nationwide, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from WGA championships. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 10,800 caddies nationwide have graduated as Evans Scholars. To learn more, visit www.wgaesf.org.
Send your film updates to Reel Chicago Editor Dan Patton, dan@reelchicago.com.
