January 5, 2026 – West Bend, Wi – Big news to start the New Year as Cate Stram of West Bend, Wi has been named an Evans Scholar.
The Evans Scholarship is a four-year scholarship covering tuition and housing, awarded to high-achieving golf caddies who balance strong academics, a serious caddie record, financial need, and character that shows up long before the first tee time.
Stram has been part of the West Bend Country Club caddie program for more than five years, logging over 100 rounds along the way. She reached Honor Caddy status in just two seasons, a milestone that quietly says a lot about reliability, professionalism, and maturity.
“Being an Evans Scholar means so much more to me than receiving free college tuition,” Stram said. “It represents becoming part of a strong, supportive community that values hard work, dedication, and giving back. Receiving this scholarship reassures me that all of the early mornings, long days, and consistent effort I put into caddying truly paid off.”
If there were a report card for doing things the right way, Stram’s would be taped proudly to the fridge.
She carries a 3.871 cumulative GPA at West Bend High School and scored a 32 on the ACT. Stram has been active in Student Council, National Honor Society, and the Freshman Support Club, competed in tennis, soccer, and skiing, and volunteered more than 100 hours at a local hospital.
Kelly Tighe, Chair of West Bend Country Club’s Evans Scholars Committee, said Stram’s story is exactly what the program hopes to create.
“I’m always grateful to our West Bend Country Club members, agents and everyone else who comes out to generously support these wonderful events,” Tighe said. “I’ve had the privilege of watching Cate grow into a wonderful young woman and an excellent caddie. She’s learned how to build and maintain strong relationships with her players, and I believe her caddying experiences have given her valuable perspective that will serve her well in the future.”
Stram is quick to share the credit with the people who helped her along the way.
“I would also like to give a sincere thank you to Brent Sauer for everything he has done to strengthen the caddie program this past season and for helping me get out for as many rounds as possible,” she said.
“Additionally, I am extremely grateful to all of the members of West Bend Country Club for their continued support of the Evans Scholars program and the caddie program as a whole. Your encouragement and generosity have played a huge role in my success.”
Stram will make her final college decision in March 2026.
The West Bend Country Club has more than 40 Evans Scholars connected to the club over the years. The annual Evans Classic raised more than $130,000 this past year. In over 45 years, the event has generated $2.1 million in support of the Evans Scholars Foundation.
