News

Ambassador Spotlight: Sam Spuhler of Manufacturers’ Golf & Country Club

By May 28, 2026No Comments

Ambassador Spotlight: Sam Spuhler, Manufacturers’ Golf & Country Club

Throughout the year we highlight a dedicated Ambassador who helps advance the mission of the J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust at their club and in their community. We’re proud to feature Sam Spuhler of Manufacturers’ Golf & Country Club. A JWP alum and former caddie at Commonwealth National Golf Club from 2004–2016, he graduated from the University of Delaware in 2011 with a B.S. in Sport Management.

Q: What club are you affiliated with and how long have you been involved with JWP?
A: I am a member at Manufacturers’ Golf & Country Club, and I’ve been involved with JWP since 2007 when I was awarded the caddie scholarship while caddying at Commonwealth National.
Q: What inspired you to become a JWP Ambassador?

A: JWP has made a massive impact on my family for over 20 years and I’ve been fortunate to share many meaningful experiences with so many great people within the GAP/JWP network along the way. When I had the opportunity to join MGCC in 2021, my first goal was to help support their caddie program in any way possible. The Ambassador program was starting up around that time, and it became a perfect fit.

Q: What’s your connection to the caddie community or the game of golf?

A: I grew up in a golf household and learned how to walk on a putting green. This game has been my favorite pastime since childhood, so when it came time to start earning my own money in high school, I knew what I wanted to be. A big part of me wishes caddying was still my day job!

Q: What is one thing you’ve done recently to support Platt that you’re proud of?

A: I’ve been involved with helping grow awareness and support for JWP at MGCC, thanks to a growing group of passionate members and exceptional staff support at our club. The momentum we’ve built in recent years has led to four straight years of donation growth from 2022–2025, and in 2025 MGCC appeared on the Top 20 list for the first time (to my knowledge). The JWP tent has become a staple of our annual spring Member-Member, The Azalea, which continues to push us closer to making JWP a household name at the club.

Q: Can you tell us about a moment when you felt your efforts were making a difference?

A: A few years ago I met a young caddie who, while walking up the 2nd fairway at MGCC, told me he was beginning to go on college visits. I asked him what he knew about JWP and the caddie scholarship because I thought he’d be a great candidate. He wasn’t even sure what GAP was, so I had him take a picture of my bag tag and text it to his parents on the spot. One thing led to another and in 2025 he became a caddie-scholar and is currently enjoying college life at Penn State. That was a REALLY cool full-circle moment to be a part of.
Q: What does JWP mean of you personally?

A: JWP gave my brother and I the opportunity to go to college where we wanted to, so I’ve always appreciated their financial impact and generosity. But in recent years, I’ve realized that the network is even more valuable than the check. The JWP community is full of mission-driven people who share the exact same passion: to create more educational opportunities for the young people that work hard to make Philly golf so special.

Q: What would you say to someone thinking about becoming a JWP Ambassador?

A: Simple: you’d be quite dumb not to get involved. In this role, you’ll connect with other like-minded people around the area who are all making a positive impact on their communities. You’ll get to support JWP’s mission at your home club, and even get to play golf with great people at great clubs as you grow your network. The mission and the people are both no-brainers to hitch your wagon to!

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.