(Portland,OR) –
Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) is helping send three deserving students to college through its Early Adventures in Golf for a Lifetime of Enjoyment (EAGLE) program and the Western Golf Association Evans Scholarship Foundation (WGAESF) Evans Scholarship.
Photo courtesy of Portland Parks & Recreation, Portland, OR
From left: Portland Parks & Recreation EAGLE participants Ben Song,
Hannah Rice and Isaiah Truong. Ben is a senior at Cleveland
High School and Hannah and Isaiah are seniors at
Madison High School. All are 2013 Evans Scholarship winners.
EAGLE students Hannah Rice and Isaiah Truong are seniors at Madison High School, and Ben Song, a senior from ClevelandHigh School, have been named 2013 Evans Scholarship winners. They will each attend University of Oregon this fall on a scholarship (tuition and a housing stipend provided). The scholarship is valued in excess of $50,000.
PP&R has sponsored the EAGLE program for more than 20 years, providing key opportunities for hundreds of area teens. Including Rice’s, Truong’s and Song’s awards, 60 of the program’s participants have received Evans Scholarships during that time. Winners may choose to attend either The University of Oregon or Oregon State University. Scholarships are awarded for up to four years.
Rice, Truong and Song have demonstrated hard work and dedication both at school and as caddies at PP&R public golf courses.
Through the EAGLE program, PP&R offers outreach opportunities to underserved and lower income sophomores who attend a public high school located within the City of Portland.
As a part of the program, Rice, Truong and Song served as caddies for 80 separate 18-hole rounds during the 2011 and 2012 summer golf seasons.
The summer 2013 golf season is almost upon us, and PP&R’s EAGLE program is now accepting applications from qualified sophomores currently enrolled at high schools located within the City of Portland. Interested parties should contact Carolyn Lee at carolyn.lee@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-5076.
ABOUT THE EAGLE PROGRAM:
The EAGLE (Early Adventures in Golf for a Lifetime of Enjoyment) Program is a unique internship program that is a cooperative venture between Portland Parks & Recreation andPortlandPublic Schoolsto expose students to all aspects of golf course operation. Qualified students are paid an hourly wage, receive work credit hours, and have a mentor who monitors their progress. In addition, there are scholarship opportunities available from their involvement in our program. 57 students have successfully completed college on Evans Scholarships received through our EAGLE program.
Only sophomores are eligible to apply for this two-year program. Students who are selected for the program work in the clubhouse or on the golf course at minimum wage. All participants are required to work full time during the summer.
Other eligibility requirements are:
- Must have good attendance in school;
- Must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5;
- Must come from a financially disadvantaged family; and
- Must go into the EAGLE Program with the expectation of completion
A history of interest in the game of golf is NOT required. EAGLE students successfully completing the program become eligible to apply and compete for an Evans Foundation Scholarship in their senior year. This scholarship provides college tuition and a housing stipend at Oregon State University or University of Oregonand may be renewed for up to four years, which is equivalent to a total exceeding $50,000.
ABOUT THE EVANS SCHOLARSHIP:
Awarded by the Western Golf Association Evans Scholarship Foundation (WGAESF). According to the Evans Scholarship website:
http://www.wgaesf.org/site/c.dwJTKiO0JgI8G/b.6021363/k.2457/Who_We_Are.htm
“…the award provides full housing and tuition scholarships to deserving caddies across the country. Currently, more than 850 caddies are attending college on scholarship; there are more than 9,000 Evans Alumni across the country. Most Scholars attend one of the 14 universities where the Foundation owns and operates a Scholarship House.
The Evans Program is funded by contributions from more than 100,000 golfers across the country, as well as Evans Alumni and proceeds from the BMW Championship.”
Portland Public Golf Manager John Zoller is a proud member of the 9,000+ Evans Scholarship alumni.
Zoller says that famed golfer Charles “Chick” Evans, Jr. grew up in the Chicago area in the early 1900s. Evans earned money by caddying at the local country club. Wanting to go to college, he found that he could not afford it nor was there anyone to help him.
In the early 1920s, Evans won both the US Amateur and the US Open golf tournaments, and with the victories came considerable wealth and notoriety. Determined to help others in his former situation, he started the Evans Foundation. It is currently the largest privately funded scholarship program in the world, with more than 9,000 alumni.
The requirements for an Evans Scholar are based on financial need, good citizenship, being in the top 10% of one’s high school class, and two years either caddying or working in the golf business.
PP&R PUBLIC GOLF:
http://www.portlandpublicgolf.com/
ONE GREAT CITY, FIVE GREAT COURSES
Portland Public Golf offers affordable, quality golf to Portland's residents and visitors. Our five golf courses are conveniently located around the metro area to offer unparalleled access to our nationally recognized courses: RedTail, Eastmoreland, Rose City, and Heron Lakes (Great Blue and Greenback).
Whether you play once a year or three times a week, our beautiful courses provide the perfect venue for a business meeting, charity or corporate event, or just a chance to enjoy the game.
Portland Public Golf provides private and group lessons, banquet and meeting facilities, concessions, and Pro shops at each of our courses.
Please visit our course pages to learn more about the events and amenities at each location, or to reserve your tee time online.
http://www.portlandpublicgolf.com/
For more information, call 503-823-5300 or visit portlandparks.org.
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