With the hard work of two local caddies, cash awarded to area students surpassed $1 million through the Victoria Golf Club’s Evans Scholarship Program this year.
Oak Bay High’s River Bristow and Reynolds Secondary student Tim Peacock each earned four-years of tuition and housing funds valued at $150,000 US through the program introduced a decade ago in Canada.
“It’s great to see these kids who would not have had the opportunity to go to these schools get a dream four-year scholarship, Tim and River now make five scholars to come through the program,” said Scott Kolb, Victoria Golf Club general manager. “Not only do they earn a summer job, they learn some valuable life skills with communicating with our members of all ages.”
Kolb says it’s impressive the two qualified to be one of the 200 or so selected from more than 800 applicants each year that meet the four criteria caddie rounds; academic record; financial need; and extra community involvement.
“All of our previous scholarship winners have made the club proud by being excellent scholars and leaders in their Evans House dorm settings. They keep in close touch with Victoria Golf Club while at university and never fail to visit the club, to contribute as they can, during vacation breaks. giving back comes naturally to them and they enjoy doing it,” said Berne Neufeld, Evans Caddie Program director.
The Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship program funds some 935 scholars and has enriched the lives of 10,500 students since its inception in Chicago in 1930. The Evans Scholarship Program at Victoria Golf Club is open to promising young students from financially-challenged families; applicants do not require any previous golf experience. For two to four years, participants work as remunerated caddies at the club, usually during the summer months. The club is accepting applications for the 2017 season until May 30. Visit victoriagolf.com/club for details about the program.
“The club first launched the Evans Program for the opportunity it offered to provide post-secondary education to kids that would ordinarily have a real struggle to meet the financial obligations,” Neufeld said. “Now, interacting with aspiring scholars, helping them stay the course, rewarding their efforts as caddies and most importantly, sharing in the outstanding success of the Evans graduates make the program even more worthwhile for members. It’s a win-win.”