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Joe Harris and Connor Meir might not have imagined it when they first donned caddie bibs at Victoria Golf Club, but years later, their dedication has earned them one of golf’s most prestigious honours: the Chick Evans Scholarship.
Awarded by the Western Golf Association (WGA), the Chick Evans Scholarship is a full housing and tuition award valued at approximately $125,000 over four years.
This fall, Joe and Connor will begin their studies at the University of Washington as the only two recipients from Canada this year.
“I was actually just sitting in class when my brother called,” said Harris, a Reynolds Secondary School graduate. “He said, ‘You got something in the mail from Evans – should I open it?’ I said, ‘Absolutely.’ He read the letter, and I couldn’t say anything – I was jumping for joy in the hallway.”
That moment capped off years of hard work for Harris, a standout track and field athlete who balanced schoolwork, competitions, and dozens of loops each summer on the course.
With plans to study Law, Societies and Justice, Harris said the scholarship means more than just financial support.
“All my hard work didn’t go unnoticed,” he said. “This amazing scholarship is going to let me expand my network and give back even more.”
Meir echoed the excitement.
“When I opened the envelope, the first thing I saw was this little green flag that said ‘Class of 2025,’” Meir said. “That’s when I knew. It was definitely emotional – very exciting.”
The Evans Scholarship is reserved for high-achieving students who demonstrate financial need, strong academics, extensive community service, and at least three years of caddying with 30 or more loops per season.
Meir, who plans to study business, said the award was the perfect end to an unforgettable chapter at Victoria Golf Club.
“It’s been nothing but amazing,” said the Oak Bay High graduate. “I’ve learned so many new skills, made tons of connections, and gotten advice from so many different people. Just the social experience alone has been incredible.”
While Meir grew up around golf – introduced to the game as a toddler by his grandparents and now on the Oak Bay High golf team – Harris came in with almost no experience. He first heard about the caddie program through a school announcement and got a push from his mom to attend an information meeting.
“I didn’t come from a golf background,” Harris said. “But once I started, it was fantastic. I learned so much – not just about the game, but about people, relationships, and communication.”
It was those relationships, both students said, that made the biggest difference. From the members they caddied for to mentors at the club, they found encouragement and support every step of the way.
“When I started, I was really shy one-on-one,” Harris said. “But the more loops I did, the more comfortable I got. Now I can carry those skills into everything I do – school, competitions, even just talking to people in day-to-day life.”
For Guy Crozier, who helps oversee the Evans program at Victoria Golf Club, Harris and Meir’s stories reflect exactly what the scholarship was designed to support.
“Chick Evans started this program to help kids who were bright, hard-working, and didn’t come from privilege,” Crozier said. “We’re proud to have been the first club in Canada to partner with the WGA for this program, and to see students like Joe and Connor go on to this next chapter – it means the world.”
Since launching the program in 2006, Victoria Golf Club has had 11 caddies receive the Evans Scholarship. Many have already graduated, and for Crozier and others involved, the pride runs deep.
As Joe and Connor prepare for their next chapter in Seattle, they haven’t forgotten where the journey began. Asked what advice they’d give to a Grade 9 student thinking about joining the program, both offered encouragement.
“Work hard and put yourself out there,” Harris said. “You’ll get what you deserve.”
“Whatever doubts you have, forget them,” Meir added. “It’s an amazing job, a great opportunity – and totally worth your time.”
From summer loops at a seaside course to full-ride scholarships at a top U.S. university, their story is a reminder that big things can start with a single step – and a caddie bib.
Tony Trozzo
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