Old Barnwell in Aiken Awards $171,000 in Scholarships Through Youth Caddie Program
The private club in Aiken started just two years ago, but already hires 150 young people as caddies, including 50 from USC Aiken.
Old Barnwell Golf Club has awarded $171,000 in scholarships through its student caddie program. Students from eighth grade through college can receive this money. The private club in Aiken started just two years ago, but already hires 150 young people as caddies, including 50 from USC Aiken.
Students work as caddies while picking up skills and meeting club members. Ed Brockner runs the program. He said it helps students gain experience for what comes next in their lives.
"This is an opportunity for them to gain experience and to pursue the careers they might like to… we want to continue to have more and more students at USCA and throughout the Aiken community to be part of it," Brockner said, according to The Post and Courier.
Fourteen USC Aiken students joined the first leadership cohort. They can now apply for scholarships. Every dollar the club provides goes straight to students.
"To date, Old Barnwell has contributed $171,000 in support for the program," said Dan Elwell, vice chancellor of development and alumni affairs at USCA. "This is just the inaugural year of the program. We look forward to continuing the partnership with Ed and the members of Old Barnwell to expand the program."
Each caddying shift runs four to six hours. Student caddies walk with golfers across the course, carry bags, pick clubs, read greens, and measure distances with a rangefinder.
Participants can apply on the Old Barnwell website.
