Spring Lake Caddie Reunion Boosts Njsga, Club Scholarships

Originally published in the 2012 Fall/Winter issue of the NJSGA Magazine.

Spring Lake Golf Club's Caddie Reunion Golf Outing 2012 on September 15 attracted 108 participants, more than 70 percent of whom were former Spring Lake caddies.

The event was chaired by Chris Lukas, assisted by Spring Lake members John Conforti and Fro Heine. Bill King, Spring Lake's long time head golf professional and himself a caddie scholar and advisor to the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation, oversaw the golf tournament.

The outing raised over $70,000, believed to be the largest one-day fundraiser sponsored by former caddies. A check in the amount of $35,000 was presented to NJSGA President Thomas McGovern and Treasurer Evan Broadbelt for the Caddie Scholarship Fund. A second check for $35,000 was presented to Spring Lake President Mark Pellecchia, for the club's Scholarship Fund.

Spring Lake Golf Club strives to exemplify the theme of "Keep the Caddie in Golf."

Caddiemaster Tom Caverly, in his 26th year at Spring Lake, provides a role model and mentor to many young men who have caddied over the years and who can now be found leading productive lives and contributing in a meaningful way to their communities.

In welcoming remarks, Caverly said his relationship with former caddies represented the most fulfilling aspect of his job. He cited two examples that typified the leadership and responsibility of young men who have passed through the caddie ranks. The first was Matt Caverly, a nephew of Tom's, who earned a degree from Catholic University and is presently a first lieutenant with the U.S. Marine Corps in Afghanistan. The second was Dr. Nick Jarmon. Caverly recalled his hospital stay a couple of years back as he fought cancer and was visited daily by former caddie Dr. Nick Jarmon, a resident at the time who had graduated from Georgetown with the help of caddie scholarships.

A highlight of the event was the special recognition given to Caverly by both his club and the NJSGA. As noted by John Murray, former president of Spring Lake and the NJSGA, "Wherever you have a strong caddie program, you will find an outstanding caddiemaster."

To commemorate the event, a plaque signed by all the participants and embossed with the seal of the club and the NJSGA was presented to Caverly, and an identical plaque was presented to Pellecchia. The club and the golf association also announced the creation of a scholarship in Caverly's name to be awarded to caddies who represent the finest ideals of dedication, sportsmanship and hard work. Caverly was also presented with a cut-glass trophy inscribed for his many contributions to the game of golf in New Jersey. Following these awards, Caverly received a standing ovation, and all were reminded to "Keep the Caddie in Golf."