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SEATTLE — Golf is a sport that requires patience, time, and sometimes a helping hand.
The Western Golf Association is extending its hand to more than 1,100 students each year with the Evans Scholarship, which includes full tuition and housing for high school caddies. The scholarship is valued at more than $125,000 for four years.
“There’s a lot that I had to learn coming into it,” said Beza Honelign, Seattle Prep senior. “There were a couple of training days before I actually got into it. And there’s multiple things that actually come with it. Not only do you have to conversate with your golfer, but keep up with the golfer, or going ahead, checking the range, making sure you know where their golf ball went, and just being able to keep up and have a great time.”
Everett’s Esther Yapjoco leans on her own golf skills to dish out tips. The homeschooled senior has been swinging clubs since she was 10 years old, and now feels more than comfortable handing out the right ones.
“I’ve read some of my golfer’s putts before and I’ve given advice for clubs also, but I usually let them play their game and they usually play pretty well, so I let them do their thing,” Yapjoco said. “Knowing all of the golf etiquette already and having all of the knowledge of the golf course was really helpful for me to try to be the best caddy that I can be.”
Yapjoco, who will be enrolling at the University of Washington in the fall, hopes to be the best caddy period. She also hopes to become part of an elite group in the process. Professional female caddies are few and far between. Even in the Ladies Professional Golf Association, there are fewer than 10 women registered out of 125 professional caddies.
“It makes me feel like I can be a role model to younger girls,” Yapjoco said.
Another scholarship recipient, Bruk Worku, a senior at Seattle Prep, said it’s empowering.
“It makes me feel like I can do anything,” said Workfu, a future Notre Dame student. “You know, it’s usually guys that carry stuff or rake the bunker and all of that.”
With the financial barriers of college removed, the students are left with a sense of ease to pursue their passions. For Yapjoco, that’s one of the links.
“There’s a possibility that I could go maybe at least amateur of sorts, like very small, laid back, but I still want to have opportunity to caddy for people that are very successful, like I’ve done before,” Yapjoco said. “But I’ve known many people who’ve caddied for pro golfers who have the scholarship.”
And Honelign, who had never even picked up a golf club before joining this group, is ready for a full loop at Broadmoor Golf Club, right next to her future home at the University of Washington this fall.
“There are other golfers in the [Evans] house who have not only had the scholarship but are also golfers, so I’ll definitely have another chance of golfing again,” Honelign said. “Just because the program is over, doesn’t mean my experience is over.”
