John McPike ‘23 Wins Prestigious Evans Foundation Golf Caddy Scholarship
By Dylan Long ‘23
Golf has always been an integral part of senior John McPike’s life. Whether it was watching his dad work as superintendent of Meadow Brook Club or playing on the Chaminade High School varsity golf team, McPike has learned the value of commitment and hard work in what is, arguably, one of the toughest sports to master.
McPike turned this passion into a job opportunity when he became a caddy during the summer of his sophomore year, working at the Piping Rock Country Club in Matinecock. McPike says he truly enjoys the caddy experience because “it’s just a great way to meet new people, learn more about the sport, and sharpen your golf skills. Plus, it’s a great money-maker and keeps me in shape.”
This past February, McPike was named a finalist for a caddy scholarship offered by the Evans Scholars Foundation. The Evans Scholarship is a full-tuition and housing scholarship for high-achieving caddies who financially qualify. To be considered, caddies must meet the requirements of having a strong caddy record, excellent academics, leadership skills, and outstanding character. After many interviews and a trip up to Westchester’s Winged Foot Golf Club, McPike won the scholarship out of the many caddies who applied from the New York area.
McPike confirms that Chaminade was with him the whole way, saying, “During COVID, I had just finished all of my asynchronous assignments in the courtyard cafe and was playing Connect Four on my iPad. Mr. Patrick Hoey ’01, whom I was semi-familiar with, pulled me out into the hallway and informed me of the scholarship opportunity at Piping Rock. Without Chaminade and Mr. Hoey, I never would have heard about this great opportunity.”
He also explains that the lessons he learned about being a “Chaminade Man” were a tremendous help for him throughout the process. When he was invited to Winged Foot, he found out that had to be in proper attire (or for him, regular school attire) and that his family was not allowed to attend. He recalled his preparation for the interview, remarking that he was “not nervous at all. Mrs. Tina Carlstrom helped me alot. I cannot overstate how thankful I am for her help in preparing me for the interview. I nailed it…fielding questions from a 60-person panel about my dreams and hopes for the future.”
The scholarship committee noted that out of the thousands of applications that were submitted to them, McPike’s was the only one that listed “helping out after school” as an extracurricular activity. McPike recalls that, in the interview, the committee asked him why he added that phrase. His response was that “every Chaminade student has his own passion…and he is willing to stay till 5 p.m. nearly everyday to do it.” He explained that Chaminade’s strong sense of community helped him become a well-rounded young Catholic man.
The scholarship is just the start of McPike’s very bright future. His undergraduate tuition at the University of Maryland will be paid in full, allowing him to pursue goals that include “two master’s degrees, and hopefully a PhD.” McPike aspires to teach history at the university level, largely thanks to the impression that his Chaminade social studies teachers have made on him.
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