Growing up, golf was a part of Diego Origel’s life, playing with friends and with a neighbor of his Chicago Height’s home, he said.
But Wednesday, Origel, 20, had the experience of a lifetime when he was able to caddie for Scottie Scheffler at the BMW Championship at Olympia Fields Country Club.
He was told he would caddie for Scheffler five days in advance, Origel said, and he laughed as he recalled a few sleepless nights in anticipation.
“It was quite the experience,” Origel said. “We were the first ones on the tee. He’s a great guy, and seeing his golf game in person was definitely something pretty amazing for myself to witness.”
Origel, a graduate of Bloom High School, was able to caddie for Scheffler as an Evans Scholar, which provides him with a full tuition and housing scholarship as he studies urban planning at the University of Illinois Chicago.
“The Evans Scholars work so hard out here, and then they get to school and they work just as hard,” Scheffler said in a statement. “It’s really cool to see kids like Diego get the opportunity to go to college, and they definitely aren’t taking it for granted.”
As he’s caddied and played golf, Origel said he’s enjoyed seeing different courses. Their layout and design influenced his studies in urban planning.
“As an urban planner, I enjoy being out in nature and seeing the courses themselves. I think it’s the beauty of golf, every course is different,” Origel said.
When he was 12, Origel said he started working as a caddie at Olympia Fields Country Club. From the moment he became a caddie, he said, the goal was to become an Evans Scholar.
But the scholarship means even more to him now, Origel said, after his father got into a bad car accident on a rainy day in September 2018.
His father dropped him off at Olympia Fields Country Club, but Origel, new to caddying at the time, said he didn’t have proper rain gear and was wearing a polo and shorts.
“I remember telling my dad, ‘Dad, I think today’s a rest day. I think it’s time to go back home and call it a day.’ His work ethic is so strong, he was like, ‘son, at least give it a try.’ So, of course, I listen to him,” Origel said.
About two hours later, Origel his boss came over to tell him about the car accident. Origel said his father was in critical condition and had to be air lifted to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn. His father survived, Origel said, but was left with brain damage that impaired his memory and sense of taste and smell.
“It definitely made me think about life more, and just being lucky that I have my dad alive,” he said.
On Wednesday, Origel said his father watched him caddie for Scheffler.
“It was an accomplishment for myself, and I’m glad he was there to witness it,” Origel said.