J. Wood Platt

 

Inducted in 2018

J. Wood Platt was one of the most influential figures in the history of the Golf Association of Philadelphia (GAP). After a decorated amateur golf career, Platt worked with GAP to found the J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust in 1958. Since then, more than 3,500 young men and women have received $21 million in financial aid.

Today, the J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust also partners with the Western Golf Association to award full tuition and housing Platt Evans Scholarships to caddies from the Philadelphia area.

In addition to being a tireless advocate for the role of caddies in the game of golf, Platt was one of the premier players of his era. His seven GAP Amateur championships remain a record, and he captured 11 GAP major titles during a career that spanned decades. He has the distinction of winning the inaugural USGA U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, defeating George Studinger, 5&4, at Belle Meade Country Club in Nashville, TN, in 1955.

J. Wood Platt, who died in 1959 at the age of 61, was inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame in recognition of his devotion to the game of golf through his support of the role of youth caddies.