Q&A with this month’s #PlattProfile, Patrick Murphy.
Murphy talks about his dreams of working for a Big 4 accounting firm.
(This interview has been edited for clarity and length.)
Q: How old are you?
A: I am twenty.
Q: What school are you currently attending?
A: Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey.
Q: When do you graduate?
A: May 2023.
Q: What is your major?
A: Accounting.
Q: How did you decide on that major?
A: In high school, I took an accounting class and I really enjoyed it so I knew when it came time to pick a major, that is what I wanted to major in.
Q: Do you participate in activities in school? Clubs?
A: So, I am part of the accounting club on campus and Beta Alpha Psi which is an accounting honor society.
Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: Yes, I like to golf, fish, and be outside.
Q: What golf club do you caddie for?
A: Metedeconk National Golf Club.
Q: How long have you been caddying?
A: This year will be four years.
Q: How did you start caddying?
A: There was an older gentleman at a golf club I used to work at, it was a public course. He told me about caddying and handed me the number to the caddie master and I ended up just calling him a couple of times and then he agreed to have me become a caddie there.
Q: What is your favorite thing about caddying?
A: I enjoy getting to be out on the golf course and meeting new people.
Q: How did you hear about J. Wood Platt?
A: I heard about JWP through my caddie master who told me to apply when he was hanging up the poster in the caddie barn.
Q: What are your long-term goals? Think 5 to 10 years
A: One of my long-term goals is to obtain my CPA license and work for a Big 4 accounting firm. As I progress further along, I aspire to continue to stay in an accounting-related field.
Q: What is something that happened to you while caddying that you will never forget?
A: I had the opportunity to caddie for a PGA tour caddy which was exciting. He shared some of his experiences about caddying on tour and it was interesting to hear about caddying on the professional level.
Q: What advice would you give your younger self as a caddie or a new caddie just starting?
A: Show up consistently and always make sure you are early. Even though at first the loops are not always consistent do not be discouraged. Caddying provides so many benefits if you continue to work hard.
Q: How has J. Wood Platt changed your life?
A: I am thankful for the financial assistance that J. Wood Platt has provided to me. The webinars have helped me learn more about what opportunities there are for J. Wood Platt caddies along with providing many tips for the professional world.
J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust
The Trust’s mission, which has remained constant since its inception in 1958, is to financially aid deserving caddies in their pursuit of higher education. The J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust was created by GAP through the efforts of then President Walter A. Schmidt; Leo Fraser, President of the local section of Professional Golfers Association of America; and Albert Keeping, Golf Professional at Gulph Mills Golf Club. It was named in honor of Philadelphia’s premier golfer of the era, J. Wood Platt. Not only was Mr. Platt an accomplished player, but he was also the Trust’s co-founder and first contributor.
