By Fred Altvater
Golf Clubs from around Ohio that support the Evans Scholarship Foundation met at the Inverness Club in January to conduct oral interviews with 26 caddies, who had been nominated to receive a fully paid college tuition, as well as, room and board.
Imagine 17 and 18-year-old kids standing in front of a room full of older gentlemen, as well as, a few ladies answering questions about their caddie experiences, family relationships, school accomplishments and volunteer efforts. It is indeed a daunting task for these young people, but one they have been preparing for.
Every interviewee stressed the education and enhanced communications skills they received while strolling the fairways toting a golf bag. It was evident that their confidence was greatly enhanced by their caddie experience.
Financial need is one of the criteria for receiving an Evans Scholarship, and the stories these young people tell are enough to make grown men cry. It is an emotional day, but at the end everyone who has ever attended vows to return next year to meet the next crop of caddies that are ready to embark on their college careers.
The Evans Scholarship Foundation got its start in 1916, when Chick Evans won the U.S. Open, but couldn’t accept the cash prize, because he wished to remain an amateur. His mother suggested a foundation be established to benefit former caddies and help them attend college. Evans himself was forced to withdraw from Northwestern University due to a lack of funds and was denied a college education.
Today the Evans Scholarship Foundation spends $25 million annually to support the 1,010 former caddies enrolled in colleges across the country. Former Evans Scholars do their part to support current students as they donate $14 million of the needed amount yearly. Caddies in Ohio have the choice to attend either Miami, or Ohio State Universities.
The caddies chosen for scholarships are given room and board at one of the Evans Houses on campus. Living in the Evans House allows younger students to interact with older, more experienced students, as well.
Evans Scholars boats a 95% graduation rate with 96% either going on to grad school, or they secure a job within six months of graduation. The current students attending also maintain an accumulative average of 3.3.
Next time you have the opportunity take a caddie at a club that supports the Evans Scholarship Foundation. It is one of the best programs ever formed.
To help support the Evans Scholarship Foundation visit: https://wgaesf.org/
