Three Locals named NJSGA-Evans Scholars

The New Jersey State Golf Association Caddie Scholarship Foundation and the Western Golf Association’s Evans Scholars Foundation are proud to announce that two caddies from Spring Lake Golf Club, and a third from Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield have each been awarded the prestigious NJSGA Evans Scholarship. Each scholarship includes full housing and tuition grants for student caddies with a strong caddie record, excellent academics, financial need, and outstanding character.

Spring Lake’s Nolan Boehmcke and Sean Donahue, both seniors at St. Rose High School in Belmar, and Baltusrol’s Carson Stapleton, a senior at Gov. Livingston Regional High School in Berkeley Heights, are the recipients of the four-year housing and tuition grants.

The grants are the result of a partnership between the New Jersey State Golf Association’s Caddie Scholarship Foundation and the Western Golf Association’s Evans Scholarship Foundation. The students begin college this fall as NJSGA Evans Scholars at leading universities across the nation. The value of the scholarship is an estimated $120,000 over four years.

“We welcome these young caddies to the Evans Scholars family,” said Tom Paluck, a WGA Director and a Trustee for the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation. “They have shown excellence in the classroom, in their communities, as well as on the golf course.”

Boehmcke, whose sister Samantha is a junior at Ohio State and also a recipient of a NJSGA Evans Scholarship, is a resident of Spring Lake Heights. He will attend Penn State University.

“My entire life has been spent living in a small town, attending a small elementary school and small high school. My ultimate college dream was to be accepted into a large school where I will be able to fully take advantage of the college experience,” said Boehmcke, a lacrosse player at St. Rose.

Said Spring Lake caddie manager Mike Knapp: “As a caddie, Nolan (Boehmcke) is very often requested by a select handful of members. It’s evident that he’s grown as a caddie, and how he’s learned to carry himself. I’ve seen the transformation of Nolan from a young 14-year-old kid to a mature high school senior. He’s more professional and he’s become well-versed in the game.”

Donahue, who residents in Wall Township, will attend the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind. He explained his growth as a caddie, and a person. “In addition to becoming more involved in golf, caddying has instilled in me valuable qualities involving work ethic and life lessons, the value of determination, persistence and the idea that hard work really does pay off,” said Donahue, a member of the St. Rose track team.

Added Knapp: “Sean (Donahue) grasped his job very quickly and truly became an asset to the caddie corps. He has always been one of first kids here. He has made a tremendous impact and our members request him quite often. For someone who didn’t know the game of golf, he now has really picked it up and is a tremendous asset to Spring Lake. He’s very mature beyond his years.”

Baltusrol’s Stapleton resides in Mountainside and will attend Ohio State.

“I have gained knowledge and insight on life through my interactions with all types of golfers during my time as a caddie. Thinking about going away to college was somewhat unrealistic to me, but the day when a golfer told me I could receive a full college scholarship just for caddying changed all of that,” said Stapleton, a member of the football team at Gov. Livingston.

Said Baltusrol’s Director of Outside Operations, Brian Bianchi: “Carson has been dedicated as a caddie the past two summers he has been with us. He is very reliable, and we always receive great reviews about his work. I went to the NJSGA Evans Scholars selection meeting and he was poised and presented himself well.”

The public is encouraged to support the NJSGA Evans Scholarship program by playing in the 18th annual New Jersey Evans Scholars Classic, set for July 27 at Hawk Ponte Golf Club in Washington, N.J.  Contact the Evans Scholars Foundation at 847-724-4600 for information.