Caddie Scholar Profiles: Raymond "Charlie" Roberts of Echo Lake

There isn’t much that Raymond "Charlie" Roberts doesn’t like about being a caddie.

In fact, it was caddying that enabled him to meet an Echo Lake Country Club member, an alumnus of Villanova University, who suggested that Roberts apply there. He applied, was accepted, and is currently in the second semester of his freshman year – majoring in chemistry at the southeastern Pennsylvania college.

“When I was speaking to this gentleman, he had a pretty good idea of my goals. He had a similar background – and like me, a love for science. He, too, went to Villanova and majored in science, and came out as a financial advisor. For someone like myself, who enjoys chemistry, that might be a way to go – or possibly a job in the field of mental health,” said Roberts, the recipient of an annual $6,000 scholarship from the New Jersey State Golf Association’s Caddie Scholarship Foundation.

Roberts is the first recipient of the John D. Rochford Memorial Scholarship, named after the former chairman of the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation (CSF), who passed away last year. Rochford also served as CSF representative at Echo Lake Country Club for more than three decades, as he helped raise more than $800,000 and provide upwards of 200 Echo Lake Country Club caddies with scholarships to pursue college educations.

“One of the great things about being a caddie is getting to talk to people when you are on the course, and whether you are out there with guests or members, you are spending nearly five hours with them. You can discuss your goals in life, and other things,” Roberts stated.

“At Echo Lake, there are so many successful people who like to give you advice about what steps to take in your life.”

He is very appreciative of receiving the Rochford Scholarship.

“When I found out I had received the scholarship, honestly, I was overjoyed. I was already using lot of my money from caddying and putting it into a savings fund for college. This scholarship money is incredible to me and much more than I expected,” Roberts said.

He is also thankful to Dan Pintauro, Echo Lake Country Club’s Director of Outside Operations, who insists each year that caddies apply for the prestigious NJSGA Caddie Scholarships.  

“Dan started telling me about it when I was a sophomore,” said Roberts, a resident of Cranford and 2020 graduate of the Academy for Information Technology in Scotch Plains. “He was good at making that known to us and making sure we had the opportunity to apply. I hope that future caddies learn about the scholarship.”

In 2020, the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation received more than $1 million in donations for the second consecutive year. A total of $635,000 was awarded to 147 caddie scholars (with three deferrals) for the academic year 2020-21.

Since 1947, the NJSGA CSF has distributed nearly $16 million to a deserving 3,026 Caddie Scholars, who graduate at a rate greater than 96 percent.

As a youngster, Roberts began playing golf with his friend, Andrew LaBrutto, mostly at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth. They would often be accompanied by Andrew’s father, Mike, the PGA head professional at Cobblestone Creek Country Club in Lawrenceville. The senior LaBrutto would offer advice on golf course etiquette and playing situations. Those were things Roberts took with him when he began caddying at Echo Lake Country Club at age 14.

“As a job for young people, caddying is way to go. I was fortunate to have had some golf experience when I started, but you learn about routines and responsibility even if you don’t have that experience.

“I’ve improved as a caddie over the years. By going on the course with more experienced caddies, I found the best ways of doing things.  A lot of the things you learn come from repetition, like what clubs to hand to a player, what clubs to bring up to the green, and not to give them a driver on a par-three hole,” Roberts said.

“I’m also willing to advise golfers in reading putts. That is an area in which I’ve improved upon over the years. I’m definitely going back to caddying this year, it’s something I’m looking forward to. And now, I am in position to help younger caddies. I’ll also suggest applying for a NJSGA Caddie Scholarship, knowing that it’s helped me quite a bit.”