For the second year, the AZ Caddie and Leadership Academy (AZCLA) hosted an event on January 2 at Papago Golf Club where current students caddied for local Evans Scholars, professional golfers, professional caddies and other supporters. Each group in the 48-player field included one player who currently caddies or has caddied in the past. The friendly competition celebrated caddies, golf clubs with caddies and golfers who support them. Notable participants included:
- Rob Rashell: AZCLA board member, Evans Scholar from University of Washington, played on the PGA TOUR, instructor to local PGA Tour player Joel Dahmen.
- Duffy Solich: Evans Scholar from University of Colorado, Boulder and co-founder of Solich Caddie and Leadership Academy in Denver, Colo. Duffy was the tournament chairman for this year’s BMW Championship at Castle Pines. An event that supports the Evans Scholars Foundation.
- Meagan McEnery: Local Evans Scholar from University of Washington who now works for Arizona GOLF.
- Jeremy Dreher: Local Evans Scholar who caddied at Desert Forest Golf Club and is a junior at University of Colorado, Boulder.
- Nicholas VanLaarhoven: Local Evans Scholar who caddied at Desert Forest Golf Club and is a sophomore at the University of Kansas.
- Steve Cass: Evens Scholar who graduated Indiana University. He caddied as a kid and is now helping the program whenever he can.
- Patrick Flavin: Korn Ferry Tour player
- Trevor Murphy: Former Tour player
Headquartered at Papago Golf Club, AZCLA is a 501(c)(3) community youth golf and character development program where young men and women aged 13 and older benefit by learning the art of caddying for golfers at no cost (optional gratuity). With a mission to provide local youths with the leadership training needed to become the elite versions of themselves, serve their communities, and increase the number of local Evans Scholars, AZCLA prepares the next generation of community leaders through the character-building tenets taught by the game of golf and caddying.
