Five Tri-state Area Caddies Earn Evans Scholarships
GOLF, IL - Growing up, Madeleine Giannini knew the importance of college. Her dad was born in Italy and came to America in search of a better life. Her mom’s family came from Ireland. They settled in the Bronx and worked hard so their three kids could attend private schools and one day, college, “something that was so important to them, as it was not an option for either of them,” Maddy says.
Her parents also instilled in their children a work ethic, and Maddy worked as a babysitter, a busgirl and a caddie – the only female caddie - at Greenwich Country Club in Greenwich, Connecticut. It was that final job that led to the opportunity of a lifetime in the form of a full tuition and housing scholarship to college.
She’ll attend Purdue University in Indiana this fall as the recipient of the prestigious Evans Scholarship, awarded to caddies who are chosen based on demonstrating a strong caddie record, excellent academics, financial need and outstanding character and leadership. The scholarship is valued at more than $80,000 over four years.
Maddy, along with four other caddies from the tri-state area, were awarded the scholarship following a selection meeting held by the Western Golf Association in New York City on Feb. 24.
The other award recipients include: Tyler Bernier of Monroe Connecticut, who caddied at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Connecticut; Tyler Citrin of Springfield, New Jersey, who caddied at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield Township, New Jersey; Quinn Pollard of Fairfield, Connecticut, who caddied at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Connecticut; and Olivia Rhein of Glen Cove, New York, who caddied at North Shore Country Club in Glen Head, New York.
The Western Golf Association has held more than a dozen selection meetings across the country to interview finalists for the Evans Scholarship, awarding 250 scholarships in the process. The WGA, headquartered in Golf, Illinois, has supported the Chick Evans Scholarship Program through the Evans Scholars Foundation since 1930. One of golf’s favorite charities, it is among the nation’s largest privately funded, full tuition and housing scholarship programs.
“Based on their excellence in the classroom and their service to their school and community, there is little doubt that these recipients have earned this life-changing opportunity,” said John Kaczkowski, President and CEO of the WGA. “Each caddie has his or her own incredible story of hard work and strength in the face of adversity, and this group is no exception. They are more than deserving of this scholarship.”
The Evans Scholars Program is growing from coast to coast, with leaders working toward a goal of sending 1,000 caddies to college annually by 2020, at a time when college costs are spiraling upward and a record number of caddies are applying for the Scholarship. Currently, there are 870 caddies enrolled at 18 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars.
Since 1930 when the Program began, more than 10,000 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.
Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by more than 27,600 golfers across the country, who are members of the WGA Par Club. Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $8 million annually, and all proceeds from the BMW Championship, the third of four PGA TOUR Playoff events in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup competition, are donated to the Evans Scholars Foundation. Visit www.wgaesf.org for more information.
Date: 4/8/2015
(source: http://www.wgaesf.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=dwJTKiO0JgI8G&b=6021461&ct=14569713¬oc=1)
