28 Evans Scholars Chosen from Michigan

Full rides to MSU or U-M

This coming fall, 28 young men and women out of 315 nationwide who received Evans Scholarships will pack the van and move to campus at either Michigan State or the University of Michigan to begin a 4-year trek through college, all with free tuition and housing. The estimated value for each is $120,000, provided by the nation’s largest privately funded scholarship program, the Evans Scholars Foundation.

Currently, a record 1,070 golf caddies are enrolled at 21 universities across the country, with more than 11,500 having already graduated as Evans Scholars via the program founded in the 1930s by famous Chicago amateur golfer Charles ‘Chick’ Evans, Jr.

The selections each year are based on caddies having: a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character. 

Here is a look at three Michigan students’ personal story:

Daniel Wisely: West Bloomfield

Caddied 6 years at Orchard Lake CC

“It’s in my blood,” he said. “My grandfather managed the men’s locker room of Oakland Hills Country Club for five decades. My dad followed suit when he started caddying at age 11. Years later, I wandered into the Club’s caddie training at age 12. I had found myself at the greatest job in the world. I was surrounded by great people and endless stories.”

In the fall, Daniel will begin college as an Evans Scholar at the University of Michigan, where he will study secondary education and English. 

Anna Rimatzki, Livonia

Caddied for 5 years at Meadowbrook Country Club

“My caddie master, Jeff Coleman, was the best first boss any goal-oriented young person could dream up,” Anna said. “Three years into my role caddying at the Club, Mr. Coleman passed away suddenly. To this day, I have never seen more people in a funeral home. He has inspired me to become the kind of person who can fill a room with that kind of love and respect.”

Before his passing, Jeff made Anna the youngest captain caddie in Meadowbrook history.

In the fall, Anna will begin college as an Evans Scholar at the University of Michigan, where she will study neuroscience and pre-medicine.

Harrison Bullotta, Rochester Hills

Caddied for three years at Oakland Hills Country Club, and one year at Great Oaks

Harrison and his brother were raised by their single mother, who he credits as “the reason I am the man I am today.”

“Caddying is something that has changed my life and taught me to always help out, even when it isn’t asked of you,” says Harrison. “The job has helped my communication skills and confidence grow tremendously.”

In the fall, Harrison will begin college as an Evans Scholar at the University of Michigan, where he will study biology and pre-medicine.

Scholarship funds come mostly from contributions by nearly 35,000 supporters across the country, who are members of the Evans Scholars Par Club program. Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $17 million annually, and all proceeds from the BMW Championship, the penultimate PGA TOUR Playoff event in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup competition, are donated to the Evans Scholars Foundation. In 2022, the BMW Championship will be held at Wilmington Country Club in Wilmington, Delaware, from Aug. 16-21.

 To learn more about the WGA and ESF, visit www.wgaesf.org. 

All 28 Michigan Evans Scholars