Caddy Training Program

Jackson Park Golf Association (JPGA) (https://jpgachicago.com/) partnered with Maryville Golf Academy
instructor, Juan Espejo, to teach caddying to the largest group of caddy registrants to date! A total of 26 young
people (with 14 waitlisted) between 13 and 17 years registered for the six-week program (February 18 – April
1, 2023)!

The caddies learned all the necessary tools needed to be successful caddies and on April 1 st , 20 caddies
received their caddy completion certificate to work at some of the premiere private courses in the
Chicagoland area, which included Olympia Fields CC, Butler National, and Beverly CC.

JPGA is collaborating with the Western Golf Association to offer caddies that were not placed in private
facilities the opportunity to earn loop credits toward the Evans Scholars Foundation scholarship while working
at municipal facilities.
Juan Espejo
The Illinois Professional Golf Association (IPGA) selected Maryville Golf Academy Manager, Juan Espejo, as the
2020 Illinois PGA Distinguished Service Award winner, an award he also received in 2015.

The award honors Espejo’s leadership and humanitarian qualities, including his integrity, sportsmanship, and
enthusiasm for the game of golf. He has worked at the Maryville Golf Academy for 26 years and shares his love
for the game with youth, ages 12 to 18, and provides golf lessons and instructions in caddying, club repair, golf
ball recycling, golf facility operations and tournament management.

“It humbles me to receive this award. I view it as simply a reflection of Maryville Academy where we are
working together to care for children and strengthen families,” Espejo said. “While working to be present, I am
very lucky to be in the position to help a person who might just need a little smile in their lives and witness it.
It’s a great feeling.”

The Maryville Golf Academy (MVA) was established in 1994 to offer the Maryville children residing at the Des
Plaines campus the opportunity to work, play and practice golf at neighboring PGA-led facilities. Its players are
exposed to the values and lessons inherent in the game such as respect, etiquette, honesty, perseverance,
responsibility, discipline, and sportsmanship.

Espejo has been involved with PGA HOPE and executes the annual IPGA/Maryville Gleason Cup Invitational. He
is involved with the Western Golf Association’s Evans Scholars program and raises funds for the Evanston Par
Club initiative. He is also a mentor for the WGA Caddie Program.

The 2020 Distinguished Service Award is Espejo’s fourth Illinois PGA Special Award. He is a two-time Illinois
PGA Youth Player Development Award winner (1998, 1999) and is now a two-time Illinois PGA Distinguished
Service Award Winner (2015, 2020). Espejo was the inaugural recipient of this award in 2015.

JPGA is proud to partner with Juan introducing, preparing, and creating opportunities in the golf industry for
youth!