Q&A with this month’s #PlattProfile, Emmett Kappesser
Emmett is a J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholar and a senior at Vanderbilt University, where he studies Medicine, Health and Society along with Economics. A longtime caddie at Bent Creek Country Club, he’s preparing to graduate this May and pursue a career in orthopedics.
(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: Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Q: When do you graduate?
A: This May.
Q: What is your major?
A: I’m studying Medicine, Health and Society, along with Economics.
Q: How did you decide on those two majors?
A: I wanted to be pre-med, so I wanted something that related to the medical field. Medicine, Health and Society is more public health-focused, so I felt like it was a good fit for my future.
Q: Do you participate in any school activities or clubs?
A: I play club ice hockey here, which is probably my biggest activity. I also coach hockey and try to play golf when I can.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: Outside of hockey, I like to golf and go out in Nashville. I’m in a fraternity, so I spend a lot of time hanging out with friends. I also do a little bit of work, which keeps me pretty busy.
Q: What golf club do you caddie at?
A: Bent Creek Country Club in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Q: How long have you been caddying there?
A: I’ve been caddying since 8th grade. I started at Lancaster Country Club and have been at Bent Creek since 10th grade, so about six years.
Q: How did you get into caddying?
A: My dad introduced me to caddying. I went out one weekend and really liked being outside and talking to people, and it just kind of stuck. It’s something I’ve enjoyed ever since, so I keep coming back every summer.
Q: What is your favorite thing about caddying?
A: Probably meeting new people, hearing their stories, and finding out how they got to where they are. Just learning what they’re doing now and how they got there is my favorite part.
Q: How did you hear about the J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship?
A: The first time I heard about it was on one of my first loops. I saw someone wearing a red bib while everyone else was in green, so I asked him about it. He told me it was a caddie scholarship program and said I should apply someday. I kind of kept that in my back pocket until I was a junior in high school.
Q: What are your long-term goals? Think 5 to 10 years
A: My long-term career goal is to become a doctor of orthopedics. In five years I hope to wrap up medical school and begin my residency. In 10 years I hope to be a full-time practitioner and operate as the team doctor for a professional sports team.
Q: What is something that happened to you while caddying at your club that you will never forget?
A: I caddied for a player who hit his ball into fescue right next to a creek. I located his ball and advised him to take a drop out of the hazard. He disagreed with me and assured the group he was capable of pulling off the shot. Needless to say he whiffed on the ball and spilled into the creek.
Q: What advice would you give your younger self?
A: I would tell myself to soak it all in. Caddying is the best because you get to spend time outdoors and talk to interesting people. I’d remind my younger self to always be appreciative of the loops and make the most of my time on the golf course.
Q: How has J. Wood Platt changed your life?
A: The Platt has introduced me to a special community of mentors who want to see me succeed. The Platt emphasizes the importance of caddying as professional development. Beyond the financial support in helping me pursue my academic goals, the Platt has taught me professional skills that I will use for the rest of my life.
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.
