Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust was created in 1958 by the Golf Association of Philadelphia through the efforts of then President Walter A. Schmidt, Leo Fraser, President of the local section of Professional Golfers’ Association of America, and Albert Keeping, Golf Professional at Gulph Mills Golf Club. It was named in honor of Philadelphia’s premier golfer of the era, J. Platt an accomplished player, but he was also the Scholarship’s co-founder and first contributor. The Scholarship’s mission, which has remained constant since its inception, is to financially aid deserving caddies in their pursuit of higher education. In the last 52 years, more than 3,200 young men and women have received over $14.3 million in aid. In the 2010-11 academic year, 153 caddies are receiving $650,000 in scholarships. The Scholarship is also helping to preserve one of the game’s most valued traditions, the caddie. By supporting caddies in their traditional educational pursuits, the Scholarship is also reminding golfers of the important role the caddie has played in the game’s history. In turn, this role is preserved for the game’s future.
