Q&A with this month’s #PlattProfile, Liam O’Connor
Liam O’Connor, an MBA student at La Salle University, is a Service to Golf scholar who also caddies at Union League National. He shares how his path shifted from healthcare to business, what he enjoys most about working at the club, and how the J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship has supported him along the way. Read more!
(This interview has been edited for clarity and length.)
Q: How old are you?
A: I am 23 years old.
Q: What school are you currently attending?
A: I’m at La Salle University.
Q: When do you graduate?
A: May 2025.
Q: What is your major?
A: This degree is a Master of Business Administration with a focus in Accounting.
Q: How did you decide on that major?
A: It was kind of a long trip. This will be my third degree. I graduated with a degree in Healthcare Analytics, then got a Bachelor’s in Accounting, and now I’m earning my MBA. I was actually a Nursing major for three years, then switched to Biology to do something with pre-med. But when I went to apply, they said I needed a thousand volunteer hours. Unfortunately, with my situation at home, I didn’t have the opportunity to not be paid for a year. So I ultimately made the decision to switch to Accounting, just to get out and make more money faster.
Q: Do you participate in any school activities or clubs?
A: No, because I’m in so much outside of school, honestly.
Q: What are the things you are involved in outside of school?
A: I’m a coach for The First Tee of Philadelphia, so I help coach kids with golf. I’m also a volunteer at local restaurants and food banks. I caddy, and I do work at John F. Byrne as well. I feel like I have something every day,down the shore, all over Pennsylvania. Depends where people need me, I’ll just be there.
Q: What golf club do you work for?
A: John F. Byrne, and I caddie at Union League National.
Q: How long have you been at John F. Byrne?
A: I’ve been working here for probably five to six years now. I started before it was taken over by The First Tee—it was a GAP-affiliated club then.
Q: How long have you been caddying?
A: This will be my third year.
Q: How did you get into working at golf clubs?
A: My mom knew the old GM of the company, so I was just doing it for something through high school and college. Across the street from John F. Byrne is Union League Torresdale, and whenever Torresdale needed guys, they would call over here to see if anyone could caddie. One of my brother’s good friends runs the detailing company that Union League uses, he cleans all the cars and jets for the members. I would just take all of his really good loops because he knew all the good clientele.
Q: What is your favorite thing about working at the clubs?
A: I feel like I can talk with anybody. Just meeting new people and learning their personalities is really interesting to me. A lot of people with high clientele and a lot of money, they’re just normal people and want to be treated like one. As long as you do that, they’ll appreciate you and what you do for them.
Q: How did you hear about the J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship?
A: When Byrne became a GAP-affiliated club, I believe Andrew reached out to our Director of Golf, Anthony Hoffman. I also just knew about it because a lot of kids on the golf team are caddies and had the J. Wood Platt Scholarship. I’ve always seen it, you always see the bag tags from all the people who donate at the big clubs.
Q: What are your long-term goals? Think 5 to 10 years.
A: In the next 5 to 10 years, I aim to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and establish myself in the accounting and finance industry. I want to gain experience in both public and private accounting, possibly specializing in forensic accounting or financial advisory. Long-term, I hope to take on leadership roles within a firm or company, helping businesses make sound financial decisions. Additionally, I’d love to give back by mentoring students who are pursuing accounting careers, just as others have helped me along the way.
Q: What is something that happened to you while caddying or working at your club that you will never forget?
A: One moment I’ll never forget was caddying for a member who shared his story of starting from nothing and building a successful career. He talked about the importance of patience, resilience, and always being prepared for opportunities when they come. Hearing firsthand how hard work and persistence pay off made me even more motivated to push forward in my own journey. It was a reminder that success isn’t always immediate, but with dedication, it’s possible.
Q: What advice would you give your younger self?
A: I would tell my younger self to embrace challenges and not be afraid to step outside of my comfort zone. Every obstacle is an opportunity to grow, and success comes from persistence and learning from failures. I’d also remind myself to network more and seek advice from mentors because those relationships can make all the difference. Lastly, I’d stress the importance of balancing hard work with enjoying the journey—life isn’t just about the destination.
Q: How has J. Wood Platt changed your life?
A: The J. Wood Platt Scholarship has been a game-changer for me. It has not only helped alleviate the financial burden of college but has also connected me with a network of incredible individuals who support my academic and professional journey. The scholarship has reinforced the value of hard work, discipline, and giving back, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities it has provided me.
J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust
The J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust was created in 1958 and is the charitable arm of GAP (Golf Association of Philadelphia). The J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust’s mission is to financially aid and empower qualified caddies and those working in golf operations in the pursuit of higher education. Along with aiding caddies financially, J. Wood Platt’s EMPOWER program strengthens scholarship investment dollars by providing caddies with exceptional benefits and leadership training through access to the wide network of J. Wood Platt donors and alumni. To date, more than 4,200 young men and women have received $29 million in aid from the Trust.
