By Patti Pagni
For The Elmhurst Independent
Future Redhawk Spano Civella will use his Evans Scholarship to attend Miami University in Ohio this fall. The recent York grad plans to study entrepreneurship.
York High School’s Class of 2021 walked across the stage on Sunday, May 23, with hopes of COVID-19 in the rearview mirror and greener pastures ahead. For three graduates in particular, walking across the greens of golf courses for the last few years while achieving high grades, demonstrating outstanding character and earning favorable golf caddie records have scored them the Evans Scholars Foundation college tuition and housing scholarships worth an estimated $120,000 each over four years.
Spano Civella, Anthony Lococo and Paddy Toole, combined, have 15 years of experience as caddies and, thanks to their dedication on and off the course, the trio will attend college this fall without having to worry about finances.
Spano Civella
Civella is headed to Miami University in Ohio where he plans to study entrepreneurship. The Medinah Country Club caddie was a sectional qualifier on York’s golf team, vice president of Italian Club and a member of the National Honor Society. His 4.2 GPA is a result of a goal he set at 14 years old: “To set my sights on the [Evans] scholarship and work hard every day.”
“I would tell young caddies that if you set goals and stay determined in your future path, you can and will achieve anything you want in life,” Civella continued. “Connecting with different members and staff during the six years I’ve worked as a caddie helped to nurture and build my character and personality. Being surrounded by successful people while working as a caddie…helped influence my decisions.”
Civella acknowledged that earning the Evans Scholarship was a life-changing moment for himself and his family.
“This will enable me the opportunity to attend the university of my choice for four years that in any other circumstance, my family simply could not afford,” he said.
A demonstrated financial need is a requirement for the Evans Scholarship in addition to outstanding character, academic excellence, and strong caddie records. According to U.S. News & World Report, college graduates from the class of 2019 who took out student loans borrowed more than $30,000 on average.
Paddy Toole
“The Chick Evans Scholarship will enable me to get a world class education at my dream school of Michigan State while letting me focus on school and not worrying about student debt,” said Toole, who maintained a 4.6 GPA while caddying at Hinsdale Golf Club. He was also busy playing on York’s football and lacrosse teams, being a member of National Honor Society and as a mentor for freshmen and transfer students. Toole will study mechanical engineering and says caddying also helped him develop important connections.
“I cultivated many relationships with fellow caddies and the members for whom I caddie,” said Toole. “Whether starting the caddie shack foosball league, playing cards with other caddies or giving a golfer a smile and nod after a great shot…I see the impact and value of working hard, developing relationships and making the best of every day, just like my dad does.”
Toole’s dad, Matt, has been a very visible Elmhurst resident the last several years, championing awareness for ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease, a devastating illness he has been battling for several years.
“The work ethic I gained by caddying multiple times a day, balancing school and being a two-sport athlete, and helping my dad has helped in in all facets of my life and has helped me find success,” said Toole.
Anthony Lococo
Echoing his fellow scholars, Anthony Lococo is clear that caddying builds character and responsibility.
“It has provided me the opportunity to bond with members and other caddies and has ultimately helped shape me into the man I am today,” he said.
The four-year caddie from Butterfield Country Club will study finance at the University of Kansas this fall. Another high-achieving student with a 3.7 GPA, Anthony was a member of York’s golf team, National Honor Society and assistant captain of the hockey team.
“The Evans Scholarship has been super impactful on my family and I ever since it enabled me to go pursue my dreams of attending a university,” Lococo said. “I would tell other potential candidates that hard work pays off and I’d encourage other caddies to not get discouraged if [they] don’t get out for a loop, because perseverance will pay off.
Sharing memories
In addition to the financial windfall and the on-the-job life lessons and learning opportunities, all three young men have had fun caddying and enjoyed their favorite memories.
For Lococo, a hockey player for 10 years, his highlight was caddying for Chicago Blackhawks Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp.
“This was an unforgettable experience,” he said. “I got to meet my favorite Blackhawk players.”
Toole recalls the time his golfer asked the young caddie’s club advice on the 16th hole. After Toole offered his thoughts, the pair discovered the golfer had hit a hole-in-one.
“This was a great memory that I will never forget,” Toole said.
Similarly, Civella used his experience as a caddie and sectional qualifier on the York golf team to offer advice to a golfer who solicited it.
“I remember during an outing one year, I gave a guest a read on hole 17,” Civella recalled. “He sunk the putt — it was a 35-foot putt!”
Since 1930, more than 11,000 young men and women have graduated as Evans Scholars, and according to the Western Golf Association and Evans Scholars Foundation website, a record 1,045 scholars are enrolled in 19 leading universities for the 2020-21 academic year.
