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#PlattProfile Tyler McDonnell of Valleybrook Country Club

By January 8, 2026January 9th, 2026No Comments

Q&A with this month’s #PlattProfile, Tyler McDonnell

Tyler McDonnell is a Service to Golf scholar at Stockton University, where he is studying Hospitality and Tourism Management and competing on the men’s golf team. He works at Valley Brook Country Club and plans to continue building a career in the golf industry.

(This interview has been edited for clarity and length.)

Q: How old are you?
A: I am 22.
Q: What school are you currently attending?
A: I attend Stockton University.
Q: When do you graduate?
A: I graduate in Spring 2026 with my MBA.
Q: What is your major?
A: I graduated last May with a BS in Hospitality.
Q: How did you decide on that major?
A: I made my decision to attend Stockton University because I found hospitality to be an intriguing career to pursue. It was the perfect way to keep myself within the golf industry. 
Q: Do you participate in any school activities or clubs?
A: I have been a member of the Stockton Golf Team for 4 years.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: Golf is definitely my favorite hobby, with a focus on developing my golf teaching techniques.
Q: What golf club do you work at?
A: Valleybrook Country Club in Blackwood, New Jersey.
Q: How long have you been working there?
A: In April 2026, it will be 5 years.
Q: How did you get into working at the club?
A: Valleybrook is only 5 minutes from my home and my high school golf team’s home course. I wanted to be able to play as much as possible, so I applied while still in high school.
Q: What is your favorite thing about working at your club?
A: It feels like a second home because I spend so much time there. I enjoy working with the members and doing my best to improve their game.
Q: How did you hear about the J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship?
A: I am constantly searching for more and more information about golf in my area. During my research, I found this great opportunity that matched all my strengths.

Q: What are your long-term goals? Think 5 to 10 years

A: I began teaching golf lessons earlier this year at Valleybrook and intend to continue pursuing a career in golf instruction. My goal is to have my own private practice with an indoor simulator for golf lessons, along with an affiliation to a golf club so that I can teach there as well. Whether that is here in New Jersey or somewhere in Florida is still unknown, but I am excited for everything the future has to offer.

Q: What is something that happened to you while working at your club that you will never forget?

A: Receiving the message from my club pro and general manager that I would be able to begin teaching individual lessons at Valleybrook. This was a huge transitional phase for my career and I was extremely grateful for the opportunity I was given.

Q: What advice would you give your younger self?

A: Look for the positives in any situation and see how you can grow as a person from it. There have been numerous times where I thought I was faced with a huge problem or setback that ended up turning out alright and typically helping to propel me forward in life and in my career.

Q: How has J. Wood Platt changed your life?

A: J.Wood Platt has been such a great outlet for me to expand my knowledge and position in the golf industry. On top of the financial support given through this scholarship, I have made so many great connections and met people I can look up to. It has been a blessing and something I am very grateful to be a part of.

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.