Akshay Bhatia recorded a hole-in-one during the third round of the 2025 BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club in Owings Mills, MD this afternoon, resulting in BMW’s donation of its seventh Hole-in-One Evans Scholarship. The full, four-year tuition and housing scholarship worth $125,000 will be awarded to a new Evans Scholar in Bhatia’s name next Spring. Bhatia will also take home the 100% electric BMW iX M70 for acing BMW’s signature 227-yard, par-3 17th hole. BMW guests had a front-row seat for the action as they cheered from the BMW Owner’s Pavilion overlooking the 17th green.
“It’s the coolest thing. It warms my heart that a golf shot that I hit can help a kid get a full scholarship,” said Bhatia, who used a 5-iron to hit his first hole-in one on the PGA TOUR. “This event is amazing when the kids and the caddies get to come walk with us inside the ropes for two days. I just am very blessed and thankful for that opportunity that Evans Scholars provided this week.”
For his effort, Bhatia will receive the keys to a new BMW iX M70, the brand’s first-ever fully electric SUV. With over 600-hp and 811 lb.-ft of torque, Bhatia’s new ride packs as much power as this afternoon’s shot.
Akshay Bhatia’s Hole-in-One at the 2025 BMW Championship Results in Donation of Additional Full Four-Year Evans Scholarship and Wins New 100% Electric BMW iX M70 for the Pro.
“Thanks to Akshay Bhatia’s hole-in-one, everyone wins,” said Sebastian Mackensen, President and CEO, BMW of North America. “Not only will Akshay drive-off in a brand-new BMW iX M70, our exciting electric SUV, but another deserving young caddie will receive a full four-year Evans Scholarship in Bhatia’s name. We couldn’t be happier for him to have hit this hole-in-one on the 17th hole.”
All proceeds from the BMW Championship benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation, which provides full college scholarships to hardworking young caddies with strong academic records. Since 2007, BMW has contributed more than $60 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, helping over 4,000 young people achieve their educational dreams. Bhatia’s shot marks the seventh time BMW has awarded a Hole-in-One Scholarship. Past recipients include:
- Dianna Llamas (2022): Awarded in the name of Viktor Hovland, who aced the 2nd hole in the third round of the 2022 BMW Championship at Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, DE.
- Brooklyn Gabriel (2017): Awarded in the name of Jason Day, who aced the 17th hole in the second round of the 2017 BMW Championship at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, IL.
- Hayden Bauschka (2015): Awarded in the name of Jordan Spieth, who aced the 2nd hole, his 11th hole of the day, in the first round of the 2015 BMW Championship at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, IL.
- Melyzjah Smith (2013): Awarded in the name of Hunter Mahan, who aced the par 3, 17th hole in the third round of the 2013 BMW Championship at Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, IL.
- Mark Abtahi (2012): Awarded in the name of Steve Stricker, who aced the par 3, 6th hole in the second round of the 2012 BMW Championship at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, IN.
- Haelena Schwemmer (2010): Awarded in the name of Sean O’Hair, who aced the par 3, 2nd hole in the second round of the 2010 BMW Championship at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, IL.
“We’re thrilled to use this generous donation to fund a full Evans Scholarship to college and change the life of a deserving young student,” said Steve Colnitis, Chairman of the Western Golf Association, which oversees the Evans Scholars Foundation. “We’re very grateful to BMW as our title sponsor for their continued dedication and commitment to providing educational opportunities to young caddies.”
On Monday, August 11, BMW Group Member of the Board of Management Ilka Horstmeier joined several dignitaries and officials to mark the opening of an all-new Evans Scholars House at the University of Maryland which will be home to up to 38 new scholars on campus. The milestone achievement was made possible in part by the success of the 2021 BMW Championship, which was also played at Caves Valley, and exemplifies this event’s deep commitment to education and youth empowerment.
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About the BMW Championship
The BMW Championship dates back to 1899 when it debuted as the Western Open, making it the third-oldest tournament on the PGA TOUR schedule, behind only the British Open and U.S. Open. BMW has sponsored the tournament since 2007 when it became the penultimate event of the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup Playoffs. The BMW Championship features a field of the top 50 players in the FedExCup standings to determine the final 30 players for the FedExCup final at the TOUR Championship in Atlanta. Since 2007, the BMW Championship has contributed more than $60 million to the Evans Scholars Foundation, the event’s charitable beneficiary. To learn more, visit www.bmwchampionship.com.
About the Western Golf Association
The Western Golf Association conducts six national golf championships and sponsors the nationally acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation. Headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, the organization was founded in 1899 by 11 Chicago-area golf clubs to promote their interests in golf. In addition to the BMW Championship on the PGA TOUR and the NV5 Invitational on the Korn Ferry Tour, the WGA conducts four prestigious amateur championships: the Western Amateur, the Western Junior, and the Women’s Western Golf Association’s Amateur and Junior championships.
About the Evans Scholars Foundation
Established by the WGA and famed amateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr., the Evans Scholars Foundation provides full housing and tuition scholarships to high-achieving caddies across the country. This fall, a record 1,260 caddies will be enrolled in 27 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars. The Program, which is supported by the WGA, is funded by contributions from more than 43,500 Par Club members, including Evans Scholars Alumni, as well as proceeds from the BMW Championship. Since the Program’s inception in 1930, more than 12,575 caddies nationwide have graduated as Evans Scholars. To learn more, visit www.wgaesf.org.
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