Charles "Chip" Hoehl was never afraid of hard work.
Growing up, he watched his parents work multiple jobs, and he and his siblings picked up their work ethic. At 15, Chip was the first of his friends to want a job, and his search landed him at the gates of Aldarra Golf Club in Sammamish, Wash., applying for a caddie position.
It would be a life-changing experience. Chip, along with three other student caddies from the state of Washington, were recently awarded the Evans Scholarship, a full housing and tuition college scholarship for golf caddies.
The other three recipients are Paul Littlejohn, who caddied at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash.; Nathan Dills, who caddied at Avalon Golf Club in Burlington, Wash.; and Lexi Beauchamp, who caddied at Seattle Golf Club.
All four will attend the University of Washington in Seattle this fall.
The Washington State Golf Association (WSGA) has been a longtime supporter of the Evans program, administering the annual fundraiser Evans Cup of Washington, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars, as well as providing office space for the Western Golf Association's (WGA) local representative, Bill Moses, for several years.
Evans Scholars are chosen based on demonstrating a strong caddie record, excellent academics, financial need and outstanding leadership and character. The scholarship is valued at more than $80,000 over four years. Recipients attended a selection meeting at Seattle Golf Club on Feb. 17, 2016, the last step in the process before being awarded the Evans Scholarship.
"Each of these deserving Scholars epitomizes what our Program has been about since its creation in 1930," said WGA Chairman David Robinson. "Their dedication, hard work and sacrifice is inspiring, and we are honored to be able to help them pursue their dreams."
The WGA, headquartered in Golf, Ill., has supported the Chick Evans Scholarship Program through the Evans Scholars Foundation since 1930. One of golf's favorite charities, it is the nation's largest scholarship program for caddies.
Currently, 910 caddies are enrolled in colleges across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 10,000 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles "Chick" Evans Jr.
"Based on their excellence in the classroom and their service to their schools and communities, there is little doubt that these young students have earned this life-changing opportunity," said John Kaczkowski, WGA President and CEO. "We welcome them to the Evans Scholars family."
Visit www.wgaesf.org for more information.
