Introducing Michigan’s Evans Scholars for 2023
The state of Michigan has produced 25 caddies awarded the Evans Scholarship – a full housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies – each of which has a unique story that reflects the scholarship’s four selection criteria: a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character.
They will begin college this fall as Evans Scholars, with most expected to attend the University of Michigan or Michigan State University. The Evans Scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 over four years.
“Each student has demonstrated excellence in the classroom, on the golf course and in their communities,” said WGA Chairman Joe Desch. “We are thrilled for them to join an exceptional class of newly awarded Evans Scholars from across the nation.”
What stood out is the variety of locations the caddies come from, with the Wequetonsing Golf Club in northern Michigan’s Bay Harbor producing three winners, an unusually high number for that small club. The Country Club of Detroit also has three representatives, but Oakland Hills had the most at four.
Here is a closer look at four of the Michigan winners:
Rita Shemmai of Grosse Pointe Woods, is a senior at Grosse Pointe North High School and caddies at Lochmoor Club. Her parents immigrated from Lebanon and she hopes to one day be an orthodontist.
“At 13 years old, I recall my mother telling me about an article on the Evans that she read just after I was born. Ever since that day, she pinned the article onto our fridge for the whole family to see,” she says. “That's when I knew that I wanted to become an Evans Scholar.”
She will study biopsychology at U-M.
“The perseverance and patience that I learned from caddying eventually translated into my daily life. I thought to myself that if I could caddy at such a young age, then I could do anything,” she says. “Caddying has made me believe that I can overcome many challenges, and it instilled a positive mindset that I have kept over the course of my life.”
Anton Vulaj of Sterling Heights, is a senior at Henry Ford II High School and caddies at Bloomfield Hills Country Club. Vulaj’s parents immigrated from Yugoslavia. Due to a heart block at birth, Vulaj needed a pacemaker at the age of one. Although he has not been able to play physical sports, he found a love of caddying.
“Due to my pacemaker, I limited myself to a loop a day,” he says.
He will study software engineering at U-M.
“Being a caddie exposed me to a wide variety of people, personalities and professions, and allowed me to be surrounded by successful men and women, who exemplified what hard work and relationship building can achieve,” he says. “The work ethic I learned from caddying transcended into the classroom and my personal goals.”
Aidan Feuerstein of Grand Rapids, is a senior at Forest Hills Eastern High School and caddies at Blythefield Country Club. He and his older brother, also an Evans Scholar, were raised by their mother. He has been caddying since the age of 14, in addition to other jobs and internships.
He plans to study criminal justice at MSU.
“Growing up, I’ve persevered and look forward to receiving an education that will allow me to help others, as others have helped me,” he says.
Olin Alonzi of Harbor Springs, is a senior at Harbor Springs High School and caddies at Wequetonsing Golf Club. He comes from a family of six and will be the first in his family to graduate from college.
“I began to work at Wequetonsing as soon as I could, and just finished my sixth year at the golf club. Caddying has taught me the important life lessons of thriftiness, doing more than the required work and how to communicate with people,” he says. “I spend almost every day I can during the summer working. Rain or shine, I always show up.”
He plans to study pre-law at MSU
The Western Golf Association, headquartered in Glenview, Illinois, has supported the Chick Evans Scholarship Program through the Evans Scholars Foundation since 1930. Known as one of golf’s favorite charities, it is the nation’s largest scholarship program for caddies.
Currently, a record 1,100 caddies are enrolled at 22 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 11,800 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.
To learn more about the WGA and ESF, visit wgaesf.org.
