Ryder Wilson and Sam Martin aren’t afraid to confess they’re removed from devoted golfers. Amongst central Ohio highschool seniors, nevertheless, you’d be laborious pressed to search out anybody extra passionate in regards to the recreation.
As caddies who attend Hilliard Davidson and St. Charles, respectively, they’ve realized golf can take you locations you probably have the drive.
Wilson and Martin had been launched to the intricacies of the game by the caddie program at Scioto Nation Membership. That has led to every receiving a Chick Evans Scholarship, a four-year faculty housing and tuition grant for caddies value an estimated $125,000.
Each will attend Ohio State within the fall.
“After I was informed about Ryder and Sam this 12 months, I cried,” stated Jason Dick, the director of participant companies and a member of the scholarship committee at Scioto. “Not solely is it a number of work for me — I take that out of it — it’s the laborious work and perseverance that they’ve proven through the years. They’ve continued to develop not solely as a caddie, however pretty much as good younger males.”
Twenty-four college students who caddie in Ohio have been awarded the scholarship this college 12 months, with most anticipated to attend Ohio State or Miami College. About 325 nationwide are anticipated to earn the consideration, which dates to 1930 and is the nation’s largest scholarship program for caddies.
The choice standards for the scholarships, that are funded by the Western Golf Affiliation/Evans Students Basis, are a robust caddie file, wonderful lecturers, monetary want and excellent character.
Wilson’s father, Brian, launched him to the caddie program by Dick, a longtime household pal. Wilson stated the scholarship is a credit score to his father, a chef in Columbus who was paralyzed from the waist down in a automobile accident when his son was 4 years outdated.
“My dad has given me the work ethic that I’ve,” Wilson stated. “Seeing him after his accident and having the ability to get well and get proper again into the traditional swing of life and return to work and simply hold his head up has actually impressed me. It’s taught me by no means to take something without any consideration.”
Wilson, an attacker on the Davidson boys lacrosse group, turned a caddie as a freshman in hopes of incomes the scholarship and taking the monetary burden of school off his dad and mom.
“I’d have by no means believed that this (scholarship) would occur,” stated Wilson, who plans to review finance and knowledge programs at Ohio State. “I made it a purpose. This has been so nice, actually unbelievable.”
Wilson has caddied for a number of native celebrities, together with former Blue Jackets winger Cam Atkinson, who now performs for the Philadelphia Flyers.
Wilson and Martin each take satisfaction in golfers asking them for recommendation. “Typically they ask me and if I get a learn proper, that’s actually cool,” Martin stated.
Each have the chance to play the course, however have restricted time due to busy schedules.
Martin, who lives in Westerville and is a long-stick midfielder on the St. Charles lacrosse group, stated the caddie program has been an eye-opener.
“I’ve met a number of completely different folks and realized a number of various things about life,” he stated. “I’ve additionally realized about laborious work.”
Martin, who will main in enterprise, was launched to this system as a freshman when Dick visited St. Charles.
“After I go to colleges and discuss in regards to the scholarship and caddie program, one of many biggest causes for having a summer season job as a caddie is you study to speak with adults,” Dick stated. “For lots of children that’s simply intimidating. Speaking with folks and being on the golf course for 4, 4 and a half hours with anyone you don’t know and also you’re pressured to work together, that modifications a child fairly rapidly.”
This system is open to college students starting at age 14. About 100 girls and boys 14-18 and about 60 age 19 and older are in this system, Dick stated.
Scioto awarded its first Chick Evans Scholarship in 1966 and now has introduced 28 awards. The picks are made by a committee based mostly in Chicago, with interviews held in Ohio.
“All these youngsters are tremendous particular to me as a result of they’re all distinctive in their very own method,” Dick stated. “All of them have a special story that they’ve needed to inform, and so they’ve needed to persevere by (challenges).”
Based on the Evans Students Basis, a file 1,100 caddies are enrolled in 22 universities across the nation. Greater than 11,800 caddies have graduated as Evans Students for the reason that program was based by Chicago novice golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.
“It doesn’t get higher than being outdoors and also you make nice connections, and also you develop a number of nice abilities like speaking with adults,” Wilson stated. “It beats out another (summer season) job like being inside all day.”
fdirenna@dispatch.com
