Q&A with this month’s #PlattProfile, Caitlyn Plover
Caitlyn is a 19-year-old student at Loyola University Maryland, where she is studying political science with a minor in vocal music. A four-year caddie at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club, Caitlyn got her start through the First Tee of Greater Philadelphia’s caddie academy. She hopes to attend law school after graduation and pursue a career in law.
(This interview has been edited for clarity and length.)
Q: How old are you?
A: I’m nineteen.
Q: What school are you currently attending?
A: I’m currently attending Loyola University Maryland.
Q: When do you graduate?
A: I’ll graduate in 2029.
Q: What is your major?
A: I’m pursuing a major in political science, as well as a minor in vocal music.
Q: How did you decide on that major?
A: In my sophomore year of high school, I took AP Government and Politics, and absolutely fell in love with the course—I remember thinking to myself, “What if this is what I do in the future and study for the next few years?” After that, I was pretty much set on majoring in political science.
Q: Do you participate in any school activities or clubs?
A: Yes! I’m in the Honors Program at Loyola, and I also serve as a sophomore co-chair on Honors’ student council board. I sing in two choirs on campus and I’m a DJ for our student-run radio station. I’m also planning to join club sailing this fall semester.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: I love to golf in my free time—I’ve been playing for about twelve years now. Other than that, I love to read, sing, spend time with friends, and solve a good crossword puzzle.
Q: Are you a Service to Golf Scholar or Caddie?
A: I’m a caddie.
Q: What golf club do you caddie/work at?
A: I caddie at Whitemarsh Valley Country Club.
Q: How long have you been caddying/ working in STG there?
A: I’ve been working at Whitemarsh for four years now.
Q: How did you get into caddying/ working in STG at the club?
A: I got into caddying through the First Tee of Greater Philadelphia—every winter they host a caddie academy program that teaches participants the basics and then assigns them to a club. I attended the program in the February of my sophomore year of high school, and then got assigned to Whitemarsh that May.
Q: What is your favorite thing about caddying/working at your club?
A: My favorite thing about caddying is all of the people I get to meet, and that I’ve got a story to tell from every loop.
Q: What are your long-term goals? (5–10 years)
A: After graduating from Loyola, my biggest goal is going to law school—after that, I plan to work in corporate law before making the switch to working as a prosecutor. Aside from my career plans, I would love to travel as much as I can in the next few years.
Q: What is something that happened to you while working at your club that you will never forget?
A: Working with my younger sister, Cara. She’s been caddying at Whitemarsh for about three years now, and every time we’re out on a loop together, I know it’s going to be a good one. She’s my best friend and I’m so lucky I get to caddy with her.
Q: What advice would you give your younger self?
A: I’d tell my younger self to pursue the opportunities that come my way, even if they seem daunting or out of my comfort zone. That, and not to fear the future so much. Everything always works out in the end.
Q: How has J. Wood Platt changed your life?
A: J. Wood Platt has definitely made some meaningful changes for these past two years of my life. I’m so grateful for the Trust’s generosity in helping pay for my tuition, and through Platt, I’ve also been given the chance to connect with a network of other scholars, which is so valuable.
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.
