Special Olympics medalist and CastnerGolf celebrity Alison Seber with Lexi Thompson (and her dog Leo) at the 2024 Grant Thornton Invitational (December 2024)
DEREK GUTIERREZ
CastnerGolf is excited by the gutsy victory by long-time student and First Tee member, Derek Gutierrez, winnter of the 104th New Jersey State Open, played at Plainfield Country Club (July, 2024). Derek was the first amateur since Mark Costanza to win the State Open. He is currently a junior at Rutgers University in New Brunswick.
REMI PARKER – WINNER OF THE INAUGURAL FIRST TEE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP
Remi was a First Tee of Plainfield participant and member at the Plainfield West Nine for ten years. She was awarded the 2020 inaugural First Tee College Scholarship, which includes monetary support for her undergraduate education, mentorship and leadership workshops, and becoming a part of a network of six other students who share her love for learning and golf. She has taken lessons from Bill Castner, who is the one who introduced me to The First Tee for that entire time. Bill consistently supported her, along with everyone at the West Nine. She considered the golf course her second home.
Bill and the West Nine staff created a positive, enriching environment for every person to learn golf and grow. This could not have been done without all the amazing members and players at the West Nine who are like family.
Remi graduated Emory University in 2024, studying Biology and Public Health. In high school, she pursued academics, dance, theater, and was the co-captain of the Girls Varsity Golf team. She also held a leadership position in a club called Girls Learn International, where we raised over $6,000 to send to partner schools in developing countries to offer girls and children a safe home and an education. For several summers, she have worked as a counselor at the Castner Summer Golf Camp. She was extremely lucky to have the opportunities of sports, school, free time, and a large support network that has led to my success and growth.
The First Tee, Bill, and the Plainfield West Nine encouraged Remi to follow my passions to become a well-rounded person, and they also showed me how important golf is to having fun, making friends, and growing as a person.
JACOB STOCKL
Long-term student, Jacob Stockl, is a Rutgers University graduate, who played all four years on the Rutgers Golf Team. He is a 2013-14 American Athletic Conference All American honoree. Competed in the 2011 US Junior Amateur Championship and won the 2011 NJ Junior Open as well as the 2010 NJ Junior Match Play Championship. After majoring in Labor Studies & Employment Relations, Jacob went on to become an executive with Oracle in Austin Texas. He is engaged to be married in May, 2026 to Alexis.
AMANDA JENKINS
A long-time member of the First Tee of Plainfield and summer camp counselor for CastnerGolf. Amanda graduated Columbia University in Manhattan, NYC in 2025 studying computer engineering and entrepeneurshop and innovation. She attended the Hun School, where she also played soccer. She is also a winner of a Gates Foundation Scholarship. The Gates Scholarship is awarded to 300 students each year and covers textbooks, supplies, transportation, or any other out of pocket expenses that she may have at Columbia University over the course of her four years. She served as president of several organizations at Columbia and was a peer ambassador for the Center for Career Education. She hopes the pave the way for the next generation of leaders in engineering and beyond. She currently works in NYC.
SEAN KELLY on his PGA TOUR debut
Sean Kelly, attended the University of South Carolina and has been playing over five years on the PGA TOUR, Korn Ferry Tour, Asian and European Tours.
Bill was one of Sean’s first instructors in Staten Island in the late 1990s. Sean played much of his junior career in NY, raising to become the #1 junior in NY. He was the 2015-16 University of South Carolina Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year
CastnerGolf Alum Sean Elliott
Sean Elliott, winner the 2015 Jack Nicklaus Award-NAIA Player of the Year. Pictured (l to r) Jack Nicklaus, Sean Elliott, Dalton State Men’s golf coach Ben Rickett. Sean started his junior golf career with Bill Castner/
CONGRATULATIONS ON SOME WONDERFUL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
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