An excerpt from the 2026 Summer issue of the GAP Magazine
By John T. Iswalt
Matthew Cieszkowski bears the torch at Gulph Mills Golf Club as the club’s sole J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholar. The flame illuminates the path to both educational and professional pursuits.
“These people believe in me, so there’s no reason for me to freak out about anything. I feel like they guided me,” Cieszkowski, 22, of Collegeville, Pa., said. “There’s just so many people there who want to see you succeed in life, and there’s so many resources that college doesn’t offer you.”
Cieszkowski, a baseball kid and avid sports fan, came to golf during his sophomore year of high school. A mix of networking and friendly conversation at the community pool resulted in his first loop around the King of Prussia, Pa. property.
“I saw my neighbor’s wife, who is my boss’ wife, Amy, and I was telling her how I’m unemployed,” Cieszkowski, a 2023 graduate of Spring Ford Area High School, said. “She said, ‘I think I have the right job for you.’ I gave her my number and [received] a text from Colin.”
Colin McMenamin is Gulph Mills’ caddie master of 23 years.
In addition to learning the typical caddie commandments such as keeping up with the group, finding errant tee shots and knowing whether to fill or replace divots, Cieszkowski developed a skill set to connect with players on a deeper level.
“I was diagnosed with autism at age 7, so social interactions were difficult for me,” Cieszkowski, who’s caddied for six years, said. “One of the first things that I definitely thought was the hardest part was dealing with other personalities and learning to adapt to them.”
Through caddying, Cieszkowski broke out of his shell. He says relationships built between members, fellow caddies and other club staff are what keep him coming back. Skills forged under the strap will stay with him forever.
“Learning to read people differently professionally helps because in the workplace you’re going to meet people who you’re not going to get along with,” Ciezkowski said. “The trick that I found that helps me the most is finding something in common and you’ll instantly click with the person.”
Outside of providing a comfortable social environment for his players, Ciezkowski prides himself on servicing his loop to the best of his ability 100% of the time.
“These people are paying so much money to come and play these courses, it would be rude to not give it my all,” Ciezkowski said.
Caddying and professional development go hand-and-hand for Ciezkowski. A life-changing opportunity enriched by a generous membership and the support of the Trust.
“I don’t know where I would be without [caddying.] It’s really taught me how to grow up to be a mature young adult,” Cieszkowski said. “All the caddies I’ve learned things from, the members, [and] the golf staff. Everyday is a new expedition and you learn new life goals and lessons.”
Cieszkowski has been a Platt Scholar since 2021. He is a four-year recipient of the Patrick F. Ryan Endowed Scholarship. The Scholarship is annually awarded to a caddie from Gulph Mills or Waynesborough Country Club. Cieszkowski is the fifth Ryan Endowed Scholar and the first from Gulph Mills.
It was Gulph Mills head golf professional Tom Gilbert who encouraged Cieszkowski’s Platt Scholarship application.
“One day when I was helping pick the range, [Tom] was telling me, ‘This would be a great opportunity for you financially,’” Cieszkowski said. “Colin, I think, also inspired him to ask me that because he knows where I live and he knows that I have four other siblings.”
“Matt is always smiling. He loves what he’s doing. That’s why I was willing to stick my neck out,” Tom Gilbert, Gulph Mills Golf Professional of 23 years, 51, of Bryn Mawr, Pa., said. “We have a Pat Ryan Endowed Scholarship here, and I haven’t had enough opportunities to make sure that goes to a deserving caddie, so I was a little extra motivated. Mr. Ryan was an incredible member of ours and his family did great things to endow that scholarship.”
Cieszkowski’s takes full advantage of all the Trust has to offer. He attends annual events such as the EMPOWER Scholar Leadership Summit and Cradles to Crayons service opportunities aimed at fostering professional skills. In May, Platt facilitated an opportunity for Scholars to volunteer at the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club. Cieszkowski filled a cashier role in the merchandise tent Saturday and Sunday of the championship.
Cieszkowski is a senior marketing major at West Chester University. Post graduation, he hopes to land a marketing role in the sports industry.
“All my life I’ve been fascinated by sports,” Cieszkowski said. “I love the way that sports brings people together and the memories that you share with the people you’re with.”
