Oak Bay High student Alex Adams, 18, will embark next fall on a four-year
Engineering Degree at the University of Colorado – all tuition and
accommodation expenses paid – a product of his three-year stint as a
Caddy at the Victoria Golf Club. Alex has earned a prestigious Evans
Scholarship by completing the required number of working rounds (caddying
on the golf course), achieving regularly high marks both at Oak Bay High
and in the American ACT tests required by the Evans program and an
established record of community service as a volunteer. Alex’s parents
have also met a means test.

The Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship program currently sponsors more than
860 Scholars and has enriched the lives of 9200 students since its
inception in Chicago in 1930. (More info: www.wgaesf.org ). The largest
private sports scholarship program in the world, Evans Caddies are a
staple at hundreds of U.S. golf clubs – but Victoria Golf Club is the
first in Canada to undertake such a program. Club President Jim Wessel
explains: “We were encouraged by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association
to extend the scholarship into Canada because of our strong tradition of
leadership amongst private clubs. It’s been a four-year learning process
for us but we are thrilled it has resulted in Alex’s award.” This season,
8-10 potential Scholars will be walking the fairways at VGC – each in
hope, they will follow in Alex’s footsteps.

A math and sciences specialist, Alex is hoping to focus on electrical
engineering at the Boulder, CO campus. He, his brother Mark – himself an
Evans candidate in 2012 – and their parents, immigrated to Canada in 2004.
They credit their high school counselor Shannon Geisbrecht for stirring
their interest in the Evans program. Shannon proudly explains:
“This is an exciting new opportunity for our students whose families may
be financially challenged. We are excited about working further with
Victoria Golf Club to make more of our kids’ dreams possible.” VGC is
meeting with other Island and Lower Mainland clubs to assist them in
launching Evans programs of their own, benefitting other area high
schools.

Video Interview with Berne Neufeld & winner Alex Adams:
http://vimeo.com/21411477

Alex Adams is available to explain how he got into the Evans program and
what it has meant to him and his family’s life.
Photo Op: Alex in Evans uniform caddying for VGC Members.

Also available:
VGC President Mr. Jim Wessel on the Club’s commitment to give back to the
community.
Evans Program Coordinator VGC Mrs. Berne Neufeld on expanding the program
in B.C.
Representatives of the PNGA and WGA who administer the program.
School Counselor Ms. Shannon Geisbrecht – Oak Bay High School.

For more information and links to the above:
Scott Kolb – General Manager, VGC scott@victoriagolf.com
Juhli Selby – Communications, VGC juhli@victoriagolf.com
250.598.4321

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