Two high school seniors in Monmouth County turned their summer jobs caddying into a unique scholarship opportunity.
Caddies can earn full rides to college through the prestigious NJSGA Evans Scholarship Foundation.
“A nice weight off your shoulders knowing that a lot of the hard work I've done in the summer like waking up early to work and in school keeping my grades up has definitely paid off,” says NJSGA Evans Scholar Nolan Boehmcke.
Boehmcke and Sean Donohue are seniors and multi-sport athletes at St. Rose High School in Belmar, and among the less than 300 caddies across the country to win the scholarship this year.
“I mean this is something that I've thought of pretty much every day since I've first heard of it, it's always been on my mind so when I finally got that letter, it was a pretty big weight off my shoulders,” says Donohue.
It's been a year-long application process for both. They had to exhibit a strong caddying record, excellent academics and have a financial need. They are two of just three caddies in New Jersey to earn the scholarship, but what's more impressive is that they are both based at Spring Lake Golf Club.
“Being able to go through this experience with him was pretty amazing and then just also just to opportunity that Spring Lake has given me because of this and also in general has been pretty life changing,” says Donohue.
The NJSGA Evans Scholarship covers tuition and housing for four years. Donohue will head to the University of Notre Dame, while Boehmcke will continue at Pen State.