Jayda Dookie has made quite an impression on the golf course. The Greenacres resident recently headed off to college to Michigan State University on a full college scholarship as the first female golf caddie from Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach.
Dookie received the Western Golf Association’s Chick Evans Scholarship, a four-year housing and tuition college grant offered to golf caddies across the nation. The scholarship’s criteria for recipients included number of caddie rounds, excellent academics, demonstrated financial need and outstanding character. The prestigious four-year scholarship is valued at over $125,000.
Dookie, who graduated from Suncoast Community High School in the International Baccalaureate program, served as a team captain on the varsity golf team. She demonstrated a leadership role while in high school, which included promoting inclusion and diversity. She participated in both the Black Student Union and Latin Student Union. She also was a member of a pen pal committee, providing assistance to teens in Dubai to learn and practice English during Zoom meetings.
Dookie was informed by her high school golf coach of an opportunity to join a caddie program during her freshman year. She was encouraged to apply for the Evans Scholarship by The First Tee of the Palm Beaches. The youth golf program provides opportunities for students to enter into a caddie program at participating golf clubs in Palm Beach County. She has been a golf caddie during the last four years at Seminole Golf Club. She will continue to caddie at the exclusive club during winter and spring break while in college.
“At first, I talked it over with my dad and I needed to be convinced to go through the application process to join the program as a freshman,” she said. “I was shy and I did not get out of my shell much. My parents pushed me to move forward. I knew the scholarship was there and existed. I had to work for it to become a reality. At the end of my freshman year, I thought about it and I wanted to stay with the program as the first female caddie. I was the youngest caddie and all the boys were older. I wanted to show them that I can do this. I am glad I stuck with it.”
Dookie started playing golf at age 5. She said her father grew up in Trinidad and had enjoyed playing cricket. After relocating to Palm Beach County, he started to follow another sport being played with clubs and putters. He originally thought it was another version of cricket and encouraged his children to get involved in the sport. He quickly learned it was a much different game. He started to enjoy participating in golf with his daughter at Okeeheelee Golf Course in West Palm Beach.
Dookie, who competed in South Florida PGA Junior Tournaments, participated with The First Tee of the Palm Beaches for several years. She served as a volunteer coach to help and assist younger kids learn the game. She was honored by The First Tee of the Palm Beaches with its Participant of the Year Award.
Dookie said becoming a caddie has been a life-changing experience. She has been able to learn from business leaders and CEOs on the golf course. She plans to be a business major and also minor in international relations while at Michigan State.
“I observed how the members uphold themselves,” she said. “I hear their conversations and how they are negotiating business deals. The business leaders are making deals on the golf course. It’s a reason why I am really interested in a career path to study business.”
As a caddie, she assists members throughout their round on the course, including reading greens and the distance to the pin. Dookie said she grew fond of the members at Seminole Golf Club.
“It’s kind of a customer service job,” she said. “I have to learn how to read people. It’s a skill that you learn along the way. The members are so humble. I had a member who tied my shoe to make sure I did not trip. It’s really nice to see.”
Dookie recalled the moment finding out she would be awarded the scholarship. She started shaking a FedEx envelope and came to the realization that an Evans Scholarship flag was inside.
“It was mostly a feeling of relief when I found out,” she said. “It was a really good moment. I was excited and happy when I had the paperwork.”
Dookie enjoyed the opportunity to watch professional golfers at Seminole Golf Club, including Tiger Woods, Rory McIIroy, Rickie Fowler and Adam Scott. She also was able to see former NFL wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald as well as former NFL quarterback Tom Brady, who served as a guest speaker at an event.
Carl Mistretta, executive director of The First Tee of the Palm Beaches, said it’s an in-depth process for applicants to be selected for the scholarship and they also have to attend an in-person interview. The applicant’s caddie record and years of experience will be taken into account. The student will also need to display a strong GPA in school and demonstrate their leadership and service in the community.
The scholarship was awarded to a caddie in Florida for the first time to a participant at The Bear’s Club in Jupiter. Dookie is the fourth participant to receive the scholarship from Seminole Golf Club.
The First Tee of the Palm Beaches encourages students who are interested in working toward a possible scholarship to join the caddie program during their freshman year and continue throughout high school.
The participating caddie programs include The Bear’s Club (Jupiter), Seminole (Juno Beach), Old Marsh (Palm Beach Gardens), The Park (West Palm Beach), Pine Tree (Boynton Beach), Country Club of Florida (Boynton Beach), Gulf Stream (Delray Beach) and Boca Rio (Boca Raton).
“We are doing it successfully with eight golf clubs right now,” Mistretta said. “We want to grow it and it’s very easy for other clubs to implement so we can help kids in the community.”
The caddie program will provide an opportunity for students to participate on weekends as well as during winter and spring break.
“It’s good for kids to caddie and be around the golf course,” Mistretta said. “They are meeting successful business leaders and CEOs. If they stick it out, you will see a group of members ending up helping them and with opportunities for internships. It’s really cool that the members are mentors to them and will stay in touch to help them. It’s an opportunity for the members to be involved and to help change the lives of kids.”
The Evans Scholars Foundation has 1,100 caddies enrolled at 22 universities across the nation. The nation’s largest private scholarship program was founded by famed Chicago amaetur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr. and has featured over 11,800 scholars who have graduated from the program.
The final Florida selection meeting interview at Seminole Golf Club was one of 25 held across the country by the Evans Scholars Foundation this year, which had over 1,000 applicants. The program produced a record 325 student caddies who were awarded the Evans Scholarship.
The Western Golf Association, which is based in Glenview, Illinois, has supported the Evans Scholars Foundation since 1930. The Evans Scholars Program is the nation’s largest scholarship program for caddies. The scholarship funds include contributions from nearly 36,000 supporters across the country, who are members of the Par Club program. Evans Scholars alumni also donate over $15 million annually. The proceeds from the BMW Championship will also benefit the Evans Scholars Foundation.
Visit wgaesf.org.
