Good Things Come to Those Who Wait: Evan White’s Moment

If you are patient enough, you will see progress. 

Immediate success is desired, but it takes time and growth to get there.

For senior Evan White, this all holds true to what led up to one of his last moments of his career as a Bobcat.

But, he had to initiate the very first moment to get to Texas State.

White started emailing several collegiate golf coaches to get his name out there as well as his tournament information.

One of those coaches, Texas State men’s golf head coach Shane Howell, reached out to White during his junior year of high school. Following a great performance in his district tournament, Howell followed back up with White.

The eager, wide-eyed high schooler came to San Marcos to visit with Howell and took a closer look at the program. That same day Howell made an offer, and White accepted it a couple of weeks later. A moment he was dreaming of.

Fast forward to this spring when White's golfing collegiate career featured one of the final great moments. A moment that defines patience and progress.

When White came to Texas State as a freshman in 2019, he made some swing changes. 

“That is tough to do in golf because it usually takes six months to a year until the new swing gets ingrained,” said Howell. "While doing that you don’t play your best golf, and you never want to play bad golf.”

This was the first moment in White's Texas State career that he had to be patient to see progress and success for the rest of his time in the program. 

In 2019, White finished his first Sun Belt Conference Championship 10-over to tie for 54th, last among the Bobcats.

The 2020 championship was canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic, but this did not cancel White’s progress towards the top. At the 2021 championship, he inched ahead to a tie for 40th and third among the Bobcats. 

White’s final conference championship of his career at Texas State was paramount, but he needed time to learn how to lead the team first.  

This season the Bobcats traveled to Hawaii for the Hoakalei CC Invitational. Howell needed Evan to step up and be a leader for their team. It was during this trip that Howell challenged him in a team meeting.

“You haven’t left your mark on the program yet, and you are way too talented not to,” Howell said to White.

With this challenge, White came back in the spring and was the leader Howell knew he could be.

The next moment came during the 2022 Sun Belt Conference Men’s Golf Championship in El Dorado, Ark. It started off rocky and unexpected when the team learned about an immense rainstorm rolling in. What was supposed to be a four-day championship tournament turned into just two days of stroke play leading into the final day match play. This left the student-athletes to play two back-to-back rounds on the first day.

However, the new conditions did not faze White. 

About halfway into the final round of stroke play in the championship, White found himself at the top of the leaderboard.

Unlike other players, White was not checking the live scoring during the final round. He knew he was playing well and that a good finish on the back nine would put him into contention to win it all. 

As the final round was closing in, White remained calm and focused. 

“Coming up on the last hole after hitting my second shot on the green, it started to hit me that I could actually win the tournament,” said White. 

It all became real for White as he walked off the green after his final hole. The emotions started to set in as he walked to meet Coach Howell, his parents, and teammates. 

“It was a very special moment that I will remember for the rest of my life," White reminisced.

The first embrace White received after winning the conference individual championship was from Howell. White leaned into the emotional hug with his coach, and Howell told him that he had won and to enjoy it. White knew he had improved to a great extent between his junior and senior year. 

“It meant a lot to me for him to say that,” Evan said about Howell’s words.

It was also in this embrace when Howell reminded White of the trip to Hawaii, challenging him to be a leader and leaving his mark on the program.

Howell said, “You’ve left your mark now and I’m super proud of you.” It was moments like this as to why Howell wanted to be a coach. 

White knew he would have not been able to accomplish what he did without his teammates as well. 

“The support I had from my teammates and coaches made it possible for me to win," said White. "The way we came together as a team this year was unlike any previous season of mine at Texas State. I could not be prouder of my teammates and the way we competed for each other all year long.” 

The Texas State golfers went into the season committed and slowly got better throughout their tournaments. The combination of camaraderie and putting together good rounds resulted in great finishes for the team which created an exciting environment. 

White and the team went into practices with the mindset of having a plan prior to stepping on the course. When the team felt they accomplished what they needed to that day, then they were done and knew good work was put in. 

Some of the final people to congratulate White on his historic championship win were his parents, Bill and Kim White. 

Parents usually find themselves behind the scenes supporting their children in different ways like being chauffeurs, making sure they have the equipment they need, and even being a therapist in those good and bad times. 

This was no different for Bill and Kim. White’s parents took him to every tournament and supported him to be where he is today. 

White was grateful to have them present for the final round of the tournament.

“When I saw them walking off the last green, I couldn’t help but think of all they have done for me throughout my career," said White.

In the final Sun Belt Conference Championship of his career, White made his way to the top of the leaderboard. He finished even, three strokes ahead of his competitors. 

Up until this year, he never saw himself winning the championship. With the preparation from practices and strategies the team had this year, and knowing that if he was patient, he would have an opportunity to win.

The next moment for White was the first for him, and fourth for the men’s golf program.

With the individual championship, he earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Championships. He competed at the Bryan Regional. 

White was the fourth Texas State men’s golfer to win an individual championship and advance to the NCAA championships. 

The Club of Four also includes Stuart Smallwood (2014), Tom Kenney (1992-Southland Conference) and Ken Novak (1988-Southland Conference). 

“To have accomplished what few have done in program history, it means the world to me to," said White. "I think it validates that we are doing some great things in our program.”

As White stepped on to the Traditions Club course with the Bobcat logo on his chest, he wanted to represent Texas State by finishing as best as he could. 

“It was fun to be around so many great players and teams,” said White on first moment playing in a postseason tournament. “It was a lot of fun, and I enjoyed every minute of it.” 

As is always the case, White’s parents were also at the regional site to enjoy that moment with him. 

Leading up to that big moment called for reflection, White was able to reflect.

“Don't get down on myself if things are not going my way,” said White on what he would tell his younger self. "If you stay faithful and persevere, your opportunity will present itself in some form or fashion.” 

Last week White graduated with a bachelor’s degree in management and is now off to Arizona. 

In the summers, White heads out west to not just continue playing golf, but also working on the course. He stays with a close family friend and gets the opportunity to improve his game by playing on the Mirabel course in Scottsdale. The variety of golf courses, atmosphere, and less humid weather is what draws him to the area, which he sees as the backdrop for his immediate future. 

Many moments have led White to the small and big moments in his career, and the future is no different. 

Patience and progress have led to the many moments.