b'BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLFVictoria Golf Club caddie earns Evans ScholarshipP atrick Coolican of Victoria, B.C.in the classroom, on the golf has been awarded an Evanscourse and in his community Scholarshipa full housing andrepresents the best of what our tuition university grant offeredProgram has been about since to golf caddiesfollowing a1930.selection meeting interview heldThe Western Golf Association, this winter. headquartered in Glenview, Coolican will begin universityIllinois, has supported the Chick this fall, where he plans to studyEvans Scholarship Program music. He will attend one of thethrough the Evans Scholars programs 24 partner universitiesFoundation since 1930. Known as in the U.S., with a decision on hisone of golfs favorite charities, it awarded school to be finalized byis Americas largest scholarship March 15. The Evans Scholarship isprogram for caddies.valued at more than $125,000 overTo qualify for the Evans four years.Scholarship, each student must Patrick lives with his mother,meet the Programs four selection an immigrant from Japan, and twocriteria and show a strong caddie siblings. Currently, he is in Graderecord, excellent academics, 12 at Reynolds Secondary School anddemonstrated financial need and caddies at Victoria Golf Club. Looking back to grade 9, I didnt realizeoutstanding character. Patrick has excelled at Victoria Golfhow much of a privilege it was to beCurrently, a record 1,130 caddies Club. He overcame extreme shyness toaccepted to the caddie program. are enrolled at 24 universities across become an expert caddie, says WesternOut of 340 total caddies receivingthe United States as Evans Scholars, Golf Association Director and Victoriathe scholarship this school year, Patrickand more than 12,040 caddies have Golf Club member Jenny Dobell. He is ais the sole recipient from Canada. graduated as Evans Scholars since the gifted pianist and an excellent student.Each Evans Scholar has a uniqueProgram was founded by famed Chicago We know he will thrive in university,story, reflecting the four selectionamateur golfer Charles Chick Evans Jr. which he can now attend, thanks tocriteria: a strong caddie record, excellentin 1930.being awarded the Evans Scholarship.academics, demonstrated financial needFunds for the scholarship come The members and staff are very proud ofand outstanding character.mostly from contributions by more than Patrick. It has been a great pleasure toSelection meeting interviews for36,000 golfers across the country, who have him in our caddie program. Evans Scholar finalists will continuebelong to the Evans Scholars Par Club Of his experiences, Patrick says,nationwide through spring. When theprogram. Evans Scholars Alumni donate Throughout my years as a caddie at2023-24 selection meeting process ismore than $15 million annually, and all Victoria Golf Club, I have made manycomplete, an estimated 340 caddies fromproceeds from the BMW Championship, lifelong connections and friendships,across the United States are expected tothe penultimate PGA TOUR playoff event and I have grown to become the strongbe awarded the Evans Scholarship. in the PGA TOURs FedExCup competition, person I am today. My experience thereWe are thrilled to welcome Patrickbenefit the program.has even led me to receive the MVPto the Evans Scholars family, said WGATo learn more about the WGA and Caddie Award in my last year of working.Chairman Steve Colnitis. His dedicationESF, visit wgaesf.org. 8 BRITISH COLUMBIA GOLF|MAR 2024'