Ozone & the J. Wood Platt Foundation

The Story behind the Endowed Scholarship

A few years ago, Walter Smedley made the suggestion to Captain Carl that perhaps after a successful first 120 years the Ozone Club might consider trying to make an impact beyond our own golf games by adopting a project that would provide a benefit to the golfing world outside of our own small organization.

After much thought, Carl proposed that we create an endowed J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship in the name of the Ozone Club. This was a project to be financed by contributions from Ozone Club members, not the club treasury. The J Wood Platt Caddy Trust required $50,000 (over 5 years), to be fully funded at which point it would be publicly recognized as an official Scholarship

This recommendation received overwhelming support from the membership and over $10,000 was donated even before a formal request for contributions was sent out to the entire organization.  Within three years time it was fully funded and we officially were listed on the GAP website as an endowed scholarship, but the criteria for earning that scholarship was missing, so a small group of Ozoners gathered to begin the process of setting the criteria. This is what they decided upon

“To be awarded to a dedicated caddie who demonstrates a passion for the game and embodies the spirit of the Ozone Club”  

While the scholarship is now fully funded, it is certainly our aim over the years to grow this scholarship so that we can provide more substantive financial assistance each year.  To be a part of this noble effort, you can make contributions directly in the form a check made out to “J. Wood Platt Caddie Scholarship Trust” with “Ozone” written in the memo line.  Send to:

J. Wood Platt Trust
1974 Sproul Road, Suite 400
Broomall, PA 19008

or, if you prefer, you may contribute online:  https://plattscholar.org/donate/.  Please note “Ozone Club” in the notes section.  JWP will send 501(c)3  donation receipts via email  for tax purposes.  For further information, please see the DonorFAQ.2022

UPDATE OCTOBER 2024

We just learned that Ozone’s first “Scholar” had been chosen - his name is Ronan Donaghy, a caddie from Rolling Green who will be attending Pens State University and studying business and finance. The Ozone officers received the following “Thank You” note from Ronan:

Dear Members of the Ozone Club,


What an absolute honor and blessing you all have bestowed upon me. I am so grateful for even the consideration for this prestigious award and with your help and all the wonderful organizations like Chick Evans and J Wood Platt and The Ozone Club, I will begin a new chapter of my life, studying Business and Finance at Penn State Main Campus. As the first ever Ozone Club Endowed Scholar, I will make sure to not only make each of you proud of your decision but will be an ambassador for all future scholars while upholding the very traits we all believe in. I would not even have the chance to be considered, if not for the opportunities given to me at Rolling Green Country Club. The members and staff here are my extended family that encourage all caddies to embrace life and strive for their dreams while guiding each step of the way. Always with a heavy heart I think of mom and how both she and dad battled her Cancer for so long all while keeping myself and 3 younger siblings motivated to do well in school and stay positive in life. As a family we still have to dream of a future and try to help each other remain positive, even though it is the most painful loss of all. Honestly, this scholarship has given more hope to our family than we could imagine and I will honor every aspect of this gift and look forward to being part of the giving and paying it forward in the near future.


It is with the warmest of hearts I am forever grateful to all Members of The Ozone Club.

THANK YOU.!
Ronan Donaghy
Caddie - Rolling Green Golf Club
Freshman - Penn State University

Here are two links providing more information on Ronan and the Platt Evans Scholarship:


Platt Evans Press Release (February 2024)

Local Article on Ronan - (May 30th 2024)

Again we thank all Ozone members who have contributed to this noble cause, and we invite everyone to continue making generous annual contributions towards this scholarship. Hopefully one day, we’ll be able to provide financial assistance to more than just one student each year.