Willowbrook senior receives Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship

Since 1930, more than 9,800 men and women have graduated as Evans Scholars, and two of those scholars are brothers from Willowbrook.

Shaun Hurdelbrink (class of 2014) was recently named as a Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship recipient, and his brother, Troy, received that honor in 2010.

According to the Chick Evans Caddie Scholarship website (http://tinyurl.com/ptoqyxb), applicants must have a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character. Finalists are selected and go through a rigorous interview process. The scholarship is awarded from the Evans Scholars Foundation, a charitable trust that provides full, four-year tuition and housing college scholarships to deserving caddies.

“I was thrilled, but speechless,” Hurdelbrink said of earning the scholarship. “It’s such an amazing opportunity. This scholarship will allow me to attend a Big Ten school.”

Hurdelbrink said he has been working toward becoming an Evans Scholar ever since his brother received that award. He has been a caddie at Butterfield Country Club in Oak Brook since 2008 and has been ranked as an “A” caddie for three years.

And Hurdelbrink has learned some important life lessons out on the course.

“I’ve learned the true meaning of hard work and the monetary value of that work,” Hurdelbrink said with a laugh. “Being a caddie also has taught me how to communicate confidently with a variety of people and personalities.”

While the early mornings and challenge of reading the greens accurately can be strenuous, Hurdelbrink said he enjoys being a caddie and plans to continue caddying for a few more years. He will live in the Evans Scholarship House at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he plans to major in industrial or mechanical engineering.

Hurdelbrink said the staff members at Willowbrook have helped him reach this level of success.

“Everyone here is so supportive,” he said. “I’m thankful for everything they do for me, and I couldn’t ask for more in a school.”