Caddie Collins receives full ride through college

HUNTLEY — Huntley High School student John Collins is one of three caddies at Crystal Lake Country Club (CLCC) who have earned a full ride housing and tuition Chick Evans Jr. Western Golf Association (WGA) college scholarship.

According to the WGA, the Evans scholarships, awarded to high school seniors, are valued at an estimated $125,000 over four years. Also gaining scholarships as CLCC caddies were Caleb Ramirez from Cary (Cary-Grove High School) and Sean Radden from Crystal Lake (Crystal Lake South High School).

Collins, son of Jack and Anne Collins, was thrilled when he received the official notice from the WGA.

“The night I found out I was awarded the scholarship, I was in disbelief,” Collins said. “It really did not hit me until later that night. It was a relieving feeling knowing that I could go to elite schools knowing that I did not have to worry about the cost.”

Collins has been accepted into several universities, including Purdue University, Ohio State University, University of Iowa, Marquette University, Miami University of Ohio. He is waiting to hear from the University of Illinois and UW-Madison.

Collins said he is also happy his fellow CLCC caddies, were also selected.

“I did my caddie training with Raedsen and became friends with him and Ramirez the following year,” Collins said. “So I am just as excited for them as I am myself, since I have known them for years. I think they deserve it as much as I do. I could not be more happy for them.”

Collins’ start as a caddie at CLCC began in eighth grade,been a caddie for four full years due to the start of COVID in 2019.

“My dad introduced me to the idea of it since his college roommates both received the scholarship at a club in Chicago,” Collins told My Huntley News. “I thought it sounded like a good way to make money, only later to find out I could go to college for caddying.”

Collins learned the details of caddie life from Matthew Bryne at CLCC.

“He always gave me pointers on how to do something better while still making it an enjoyable round. I also watched older, more experienced caddies on the course so I learned tricks they picked up over the years caddying,” Collins said.

Collins enjoys teaching the details of the role to new caddies and giving them advice that he once received.

The golf season begins with training and retraining in March and April with the first tournament in May until it winds down in November. Collins described how a caddie and a golfer are matched.

“During the busy season the way we get loops (rounds) is through an app,” Collins explained. “All caddies at CLCC have it and whenever a member wants a caddie, the app will send out a notification to all caddies on a first come, first served basis. However, if the members have a favorite caddie, loops for them are sent out to their favorites.”

Looking back on his experience as a caddie, Collins said certain qualities are needed to have success.

“Some qualities that I think make a good caddie are good listening, good observing, great character, being able to talk and have conversations with adults, and most importantly. being a hard worker. Being a hard – determined worker is a vital quality to have in college and in my profession since it can help things get done in a timely matter. Also I think having engaging conversations with others is a great quality since many people my age struggle to keep eye contact and carry on a conversation which would be essential for collaboration in college, a job, or just in life.”

A total of 74 students from the Chicago area have been awarded the Evans Scholarship so far for 2023-24.  WGA’s four selection criteria includes the following: a strong caddie record; excellent academics; demonstrated financial need and outstanding character. Currently, a record 1,130 caddies are enrolled at 24 universities across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 12,000 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was started by legendary Chicago golfer Chick Evans Jr.

“We are thrilled to welcome these student caddies to what will be an exceptional class of new Evans Scholars from across the nation,” said WGA Chairman Joe Desch in a press release statement. “Their dedication in the classroom, on the golf course, and in their communities represents what our Program has been about since 1930.”