'Made My Dad Proud': New Lenox Teen Follows Late Dad's Advice To Become Caddie, Wins Full Ride To College

NEW LENOX, IL — Austin Seglem's dad always nudged him to become a caddie.

A summer job that's likely not for everyone, it's early mornings and often long, hot days on "loops." Lots of walking, lifting, mingling, and learning the game to help golfers as they finesse theirs. Sunburns, sore muscles, missed special occasions, and cash tips.

Seglem's dad died when Seglem was just 8 years old, but that encouragement for his son to become a caddie stuck.

"He always wanted me to be a caddie," Seglem told Patch. "Me and my mom swore that I would follow that wish."

Seglem got to work his freshman year as a caddie at Prestwick Country Club in Frankfort. Now four years later, the Lincoln-Way West senior finds himself among the elite recipients of the prestigious Chick Evans Scholarship: a full, four-year housing and tuition scholarship for golf caddies through the nation’s largest privately funded scholarship program.

"It’s well worth it," Seglem told Patch. "I’d say I followed his wish pretty well."

Seglem is among 104 students in the Chicago area to receive the scholarship; Lincoln-Way West classmate Alexander Schroeder was also selected (we'll learn more about him later).

The recipients are chosen based on four selection criteria: a strong caddie record, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need, and outstanding character. The scholarship is valued at $125,000 over four years, and with the selection process ongoing, it's estimated 380 caddies will be awarded the Evans Scholarship this year.

"My first thought, was ‘I’m going to be able to go to college,'" Seglem told Patch. "I also thought, I made my dad proud. He’s always been a huge source of inspiration for me. Finally saying I’d done something that he’d be proud of, made me want to cry."

An only child, Seglem and his mother Mary Ann have been a tight-knit family unit.

"Some days I have words, some days I don’t," Mary Ann said. "It’s huge. I’m proud of him. It’s all him. He worked hard to achieve this and make his dad proud of him, too."

"It’s a huge accomplishment for himself. There’s days where it’s like, ‘pinch me.’ We can’t believe it. There’s so many kids who go for it. We were surprised when he got selected to go for the next phase after he filled out the application; we just tried to stay positive. I always try to encourage him, support him."

Seglem credits his mother is his biggest cheerleader and college advisor, he said. Seglem's being selected for the scholarship is a well-deserved bright spot, Mary Ann said.

"There’s day where it just totally shocks me," Mary Ann said. "I thank God I’ve been blessed with—he’s such a good kid. He’s got a heart of gold."

"It was a lot"

Austin's father Roger was just 46 years old when he was diagnosed with renal cancer. He died within six months of diagnosis, just two weeks before Christmas 2016.

"It was a very aggressive cancer," Mary Ann said. "He was diagnosed in June. Six months to the day, he passed away. He was only 46 years old. Austin had just turned 8."

The loss devastated the mother-son duo.

"It was a lot," Mary Ann said. "We had just moved in here to New Lenox. It was a struggle for us. I never thought in a million years I’d be a widow, and never thought my son wouldn’t have his daddy."

As he pursued caddying, Mary Ann encouraged Austin to seek out connection with golfers—something that seems to have come naturally for him. He easily recalls one of his most memorable interactions with one golfer: an elderly gentleman who suffered from Alzheimer's Disease.

"One day I got a letter from the club—a member had sent me a letter—said he couldn’t remember if he had paid me," Seglem said of the gentleman. Enclosed in the letter, was some cash.

The next time Seglem encountered the golfer, he remembered Seglem by first name—something that touched him. Moments like that have been special not only to Seglem, but to his mother.

Relationships and mentorships formed at the club have helped shape Seglem, she said.

"Great mentorships, relationships, amazing members at Prestwick," she said. "The relationships, mentorship, every kind soul he met doing loops—I don’t know if they realize what a huge impact they’ve made on him."

Outside of his caddying pursuit, Seglem has learned to play the guitar, and at school has flourished in science. He lauds his teachers Stacy Williams-Jackson, Nathaniel Jackson, Karla Horn, Michelle Laack, and Alyssa Jarzynski as being a source of guidance and encouragement for him.

"They’re a big support system for me," Seglem said.

Science has captured his attention, and while he's not certain where he'll attend college, he plans to major in biomedical engineering.

"Science has always really interested me," he said. "I’ve always loved math and english, and science puts those two together in a good way."

Evans Scholars have a cumulative GPA of 3.3 and a 98 percent graduation rate, according to the Western Golf Association. An estimated 40 percent are first-generation college students, and 96 percent are employed or enrolled in graduate school within six months of graduating.

Seglem, too, is a first-generation college student. He has applied to several schools and has been accepted to University of Missouri, Marquette University, and University of Iowa. He's still waiting to hear from University of Wisconsin and Notre Dame.

The latter has been his dream school since childhood, he said.

"My mom and I have been touring," Seglem said, "and we've fallen in love with each of the other ones."

Currently, a record 1,260 Evans scholars are enrolled at 27 universities nationwide, and more than 12,575 caddies have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded in 1930, according to the Western Golf Association.

“Each of these 104 students has earned this life-changing opportunity through their hard work, dedication and outstanding character,” said Kim Schriver, a WGA Director and Illinois state co-chair.

“They represent the very best of the Evans Scholars Program, and we are proud to welcome them as they take the next step toward college and future leadership.”

Seglem credits Prestwick's Director of Golf Daniel Bisazza and Corin Chojnacki, western golf director at Prestwick, for their leadership.

"I’m only as good a caddie as I am, because of him (Bisazza)," Seglem said. "He trained me well."

He encourages anyone interested to pursue caddying, even if it seems daunting.

“It’s such a wonderful opportunity—I highly recommend and promote it," Seglem said. "Always push yourself. You can do more than you think you can. I’ve always had people in my corner—my mom, family, and my friends—I don’t think I would have gone as far as I can if I didn’t push myself.

"I knew they would catch me if I stumbled."