Evans Scholars from Michigan Announced
Full-ride college scholarships have been awarded to 20 high school students from Michigan via the lucrative Evans Scholarship, earned by caddies who worked at clubs in the Great Lakes State. The scholarship is for four years of tuition and housing and is typically valued at more than $125,000.
The students will begin college this fall as Evans Scholars, with most expected to attend the University of Michigan or Michigan State University. Decisions on awarded schools will be finalized by March 15.
The Western Golf Association (WGA), 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.
To qualify for the Evans Scholarship, each student must meet the Program’s four selection criteria and show a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character.
Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled at 24 universities nationwide – including 59 at Michigan and 87 at Michigan State – as Evans Scholars. More than 12,040 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the Program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. in 1930.
Mustafa Hamadah of Bloomfield Hills is a senior at Bloomfield Hills High School and caddies at Bloomfield Hills Country Club. His parents immigrated from Syria and he hopes to one day be a doctor, after studying biology and pre-medicine.
“Becoming a doctor has been my lifelong dream, inspired by the desire to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others,” he says. “My father's tireless efforts to provide for our family have fueled my determination to succeed in this pursuit.
“The Evans Scholarship represents more than just financial assistance for me; it embodies the hope and promise of a brighter future. It aligns perfectly with my aspirations to pursue a career in medicine, not only for my own fulfillment but also to honor the sacrifices and unwavering support of my father. With this scholarship, I am one step closer to achieving my dream of becoming a doctor and making a difference in the lives of others.”
Mia Hamdan of Novi is a senior at Novi High School. Mia caddies and Meadowbrook Country Club, and she plans to study Communicative Sciences and Disorders with hopes to become a Speech-Language Pathologist.
“My story starts in Nanjing, China. It was the winter of 2005, just months before my first birthday,” she says. “Little did I know, soon I’d be traveling 7,000 miles across the world to America with my new forever family.
“I credit caddying for my ability to quickly and effectively make connections. Starting my first job at 14 has given me interpersonal, organizational and time management skills that I will take with me well into adulthood,” she says.
Nathan Lee of Livonia is a senior at Detroit Country Day School and caddies at Bloomfield Hills Country Club. Raised by two teachers, he says he has long been influenced by his parents’ high value of education. In college he plans to study business.
“I have always had an entrepreneurial mindset, whether it was the lemonade stands I ran during my neighborhood’s garage sale weekend, or learning all I could to start a firewood selling venture, or the role in helping my friend's lawn care service expand into tree removal,” he says. “I am currently co-president of the Entrepreneurship Club at school. Ultimately, I would like to start my own company one day.”
