The Munoz family, of South Holland, has had four of five children work as caddies with the goal of working hard and achieving college scholarships.
Most recently, 18-year-old twins Aranzazu and Christopher were awarded the Western Golf Association’s Chick Evans Scholarship, a housing and tuition scholarship for caddies, which is valued at $125,000 for each twin over four years.
The twins are seniors at Thornwood High School and plan to attend the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Aranzazu will study business and marketing and Christopher plans to finance and go into investment banking.
“The way I thought about it, if I didn’t get this scholarship, there’s something else I have to do other than going to college. Being five of us, it’s very difficult for my parents to send all of us to college,” Aranzazu said.
Their older brother, Jonathan, began caddying when he was in high school and also received the Evans Scholarship in 2014, Aranzazu said. After seeing their brother work as a caddy and finance a college education from the experience, she said they decided to try caddying when they were 15.
“He really helped us out, just making everything easier. He learned what to do and what not to do, and he pretty much taught us all he knew. He really set us up for success,” Christopher said.
Every summer and most days off from classes during the school year, Christopher said they worked at the Olympia Fields Country Club.
Aranzazu said the job has taught her patience. Christopher said caddying has taught him that he works well on a team.
“It’s unbelievable the type of people you meet, and not only things they talk about but things they can teach you and the opportunities they can help you out with. The community there and the people there are the best,” Christopher said.
The Evans Scholars Foundation was established in 1930 with a mission to provide full tuition scholarships to caddies with limited financial means. To qualify, caddies need to show a strong caddie record, excellent academics and demonstrate financial need and outstanding character, according to the Western Golf Association website.
Aranzazu said more high school students should consider caddying as a job and then as a way to finance their education. As a caddy, students can enjoy days outside and meet interesting people.
“I don’t understand how caddying isn’t the most famous job for any young kid. It’s the opportunities, the doors that can open, you can’t beat it,” Christopher said.
Their younger brother started caddying this last summer, Christopher said, so the twins have been helping him learn the ropes.
“He wanted to get into it as soon as possible,” Christopher said. “He did really well, he won rookie of the year, so we’re really happy to see him do good out there.’
akukulka@chicagotribune.com
