Alumni, Scholars, and Friends Unite at Inaugural Golf Outing
KENILWORTH, N.J. - On Tuesday, August 1, 2023, 52 Caddie Scholarship Foundation alumni, current scholars, and friends gathered at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth, New Jersey for the inaugural Caddie Scholarship Foundation Alumni, Scholars, and Friends Golf Outing, for a day of camaraderie and competitive golf.
The day began with a continental breakfast served on the patio of the Galloping Hill clubhouse and then was followed by 18 holes of golf and then lunch and raffles on the patio.
Current Caddie Scholars not only enjoyed a day’s respite from work, but they were able to enjoy time on the other side of the bag and meet and network with alumni, some of whom caddied almost 50 years ago. Alumni were able to reconnect with friends and former caddies from their days looping. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity the outing provided to bring alumni, scholars, and benefactors together to officially launch the Foundation’s Alumni Association.
“This is just the beginning of an event that will continue to grow and afford current scholars and alumni the opportunity to reunite, reconnect, and reminisce,” said Jeff Knapp, Caddie Scholarship Foundation Director of Development, who organized the outing.
Brian Hunt, Chairman of the Caddie Scholarship Foundation, has championed for this event for several years and was delighted to welcome everyone to the inaugural event. Brian crisscrossed the course, chatting with groups on tee boxes or in fairways as they waited to hit approach shots and watched amazing bunker shots and expertly drained putts. He also joined groups for photos and thanked everyone for their contributions to the game of golf.
“Whether you caddied 50 years ago, are still caddying, take a caddie whenever you play, or support the Foundation, thank you for your contribution to the game of golf and for all that you do, and continue to do, to preserve one of the game’s greatest traditions,” said Hunt at the barbecue following golf. “We at the Foundation are proud to have impacted so many young people’s lives over the last 76 years by providing them with scholarships in support of their college education and are excited that we have finally brought alumni, scholars, and friends of the Foundation together to not only celebrate the game of golf, but also to inaugurate the Foundation’s Alumni Association,” concluded Hunt.
Competition was fierce on the course as 14 teams battled it out for the honor of being named champions of the inaugural event. Only one stroke separated the top three teams. Finishing in third place with a gross score of even par, 71, was Denis Sweeny, Kevin Sweeny, Connor Holmes, and Robert Zimmerer. Two teams carded scores of one under, 70. The champion was decided on a match of cards. Second place belongs to the threesome of Traver Dais, Connor Dillon, and James Woods. The champions of the inaugural Caddie Scholarship, Alumni, Scholars, and Friends Golf Outing was the foursome of Carter Frey, Spencer Frey, Mitchell Stevens, and Ken Stevens. Rusty Todd, a caddie from Deal Golf and Country Club and current scholar, crushed his tee shot on the third hole to win the longest drive competition. Ken Vostal, an Alumni Scholar, fired his tee shot to 10 feet 8 inches on the 11th hole to win the closet-to-the-pin competition.
The Caddie Scholarship Foundation is truly appreciative for the generous support it received from the head golf professionals at the following clubs:
- Beacon Hill Country Club
- Canoe Brook Country Club
- Cobblestone Creek Country Club
- Colonia Country Club
- Fairmount Country Club
- Green Brook Country Club
- Knickerbocker Country Club
- Manasquan River Golf Club
- Rumson Country Club
- Suburban Golf Club
- Trump Golf Links Ferry Point
- Upper Montclair Country Club
A very special “thank you” is owed to Dave Epstein, a former NJSGA Board member, who is a Scholar Alumnus and the Foundation’s representative at Crestmont Country Club, and Idea Village for their donation of Cooper Fit golf socks.
Many thanks to the staffs at Galloping Hill and the NJSGA for ensuring a great day for everyone.
Save the date for next year’s event – Tuesday, July 9, 2024 – at Galloping Hill.
If you would like to be a part of the committee to plan next year’s outing, please contact Jeff Knapp, Caddie Scholarship Foundation Director of Development, at 908-241-4653 or jknapp@njsga.org.
** The NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation has been a shining light for 76 years in providing scholarships to deserving member club caddies pursuing higher education. Since 1947, it has provided more than $18 million in scholarships awards to nearly 3,400 caddies. For the 2023-24 academic year, the Foundation will provide 150 caddies with over $800,000 in scholarships.**
