The CSGA Scholarship Fund

The William (Widdy) Neale Scholarship Fund, Inc. is administered by the Connecticut State Golf Association and since inception has awarded over $3.25 million in scholarship aid to 596 high school seniors. Although the program was originally organized to benefit caddies, the applicant pool has been expanded to include graduating seniors employed at CSGA member clubs in various capacities (golf shop, caddies, clubhouse workers, grounds staff) who have worked for at least one golf season and who continue to be employed in the current year. Depending on a recipient’s academic good standing and continuing financial need, the scholarships may be renewed for three additional years.

The CSGA began awarding college scholarships in 1954 deriving funds from a one-dollar charge included in the then handicap fee. Today, the CSGA member service fee continues to be the primary source of scholarship funds. Then CSGA Executive Director William (Widdy) Neale and scholarship committee chairman and later (1962-63) CSGA President James Killington are credited with convincing the CSGA Executive Committee to establish this Scholarship Fund. Through the efforts of Attorney Herbert Emanuelson, Jr. (CSGA President 1973-74) the Fund was incorporated as a not-for-profit, charitable organization in 1985-86 and named for Widdy Neale. Yale graduate Widdy Neale was a career Yale University sports administrator and CSGA Executive Director from 1946-86.

For more information, please contact Bill Wallace, Managing Director of the Widdy Neale Scholarship Fund at wjwfairfieldct@gmail.com or by phone at (203) 257-9190.

About William H. “Widdy” Neale, Jr.

William H. Neale, Jr., (Yale Class of 1925), was the youngest of six children. Neale, a member of the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame, got his nickname as a youngster because he was “iddy-widdy” compared to his older brother Earle “Greasy” Neale who is in the College Football Hall of Fame.

At Parkersburg High School in West Virginia Widdy starred in football, baseball, basketball, and track. The football team was the state champion in 1916 and 1918 with Widdy performing as an All-State quarterback in 1916 and then as halfback in 1917 and 1918.

Widdy became a standout player at Yale, but it took a while to get there. He entered West Virginia University and played varsity football as a freshman in 1919. The Yale admissions committee was not impressed by his course of study in agriculture and horticulture and turned him down. He asked the committee to consider a delayed transfer. He attended Marietta College for a year and did not play any sports but achieved straight A’s!

Eventually, he was accepted as a delayed transfer and by 1922 he was playing halfback on the Yale football team before 80,000 fans in the eight-year-old Yale Bowl. The 1923 team, with Widdy and six other transfers, went untied and undefeated against the usual Ivy opponents, as well as North Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, and Army. Widdy also starred in baseball and basketball until his eligibility ran out. He graduated from Yale in 1925, married his high school sweetheart, and went to work.

Live Scoring – Volunteers who assist on-course with the posting of scoring updates to the tournament website

Neale took a position in the Firestone Rubber Company management-training program. After three years, he was called back to Parkersburg; his father was ill and he was needed to manage the family hay and grain business. His father recovered and he joined an investment firm. However, this was 1929 and, with a wife and son to support, it wasn’t the best time to enter the investment business. By 1932, Widdy had lost his home and moved his family to a boarding house. Then his luck turned. Yale was just starting its residential college system in 1933 and wanted an inter-college (that is, intramural) athletic program. The Athletics Department called Widdy Neale to plan and manage the program.

From 1933 until 1969, Widdy ran the intramural program, and it became the standard by which other college programs were judged. During that time he also coached a number of teams on campus. He was the freshman football coach from 1934 until 1941, and the tennis coach from 1943 until 1945. He coached the National Intercollegiate Champion golf team in 1943 and the Eastern Intercollegiate Golf Association champion team in 1954.

Coaching golf at Yale was just the beginning for Widdy and his involvement in the game of golf. Widdy became a very good player winning the Connecticut State Golf Association Senior championship in 1946, 1947, and 1955. Widdy also served as the longtime Executive Director of the Connecticut State Golf Association from 1946 until 1985. Under Widdy’s leadership, the CSGA began awarding college scholarships in 1954 deriving funds from a one-dollar charge included in the then handicap fee.

Through the efforts of Attorney Herbert Emanuelson, Jr. (CSGA President 1973-74) the Fund was incorporated as a not-for-profit, charitable organization in 1985-86 and named for Widdy Neale.

In 1976, Yale dedicated the famous ninth hole to him, and his name now graces the dining room in the clubhouse.

The William "Widdy" Scholarship fund

Supporting the Next Generation of Golf Leaders

Administered by the Connecticut State Golf Association (CSGA), the William (Widdy) Neale Scholarship Fund, Inc. has awarded over $4 million to more than 650 recipients.

Who We Support

Originally established to benefit golf caddies, the Fund now supports graduating seniors employed at CSGA member clubs — including caddies, golf shop attendants, clubhouse staff, and grounds crew. Applicants must have worked at least one golf season and remain employed in the current year. Scholarships are renewable for up to four years, based on academic standing and continued financial need.

Our History

The CSGA awarded its first scholarships in 1954, originally funded by a one-dollar charge added to each handicap fee. Today, a portion of the CSGA Member Service Fee continues to serve as the Fund’s primary source of support.

The scholarship was the vision of then–CSGA Executive Director William “Widdy” Neale and Scholarship Committee Chairman James Killington, who later served as CSGA President (1962–63). Thanks to the efforts of Attorney Herbert Emanuelson, Jr. (CSGA President 1973–74), the Fund became an official not-for-profit charitable organization in 1985–86 — and was named in honor of Widdy Neale.

about William h. "Widdy" neale, jr.

A Legacy of Leadership and Sport

William H. “Widdy” Neale, Jr. (Yale Class of 1925) was a passionate athlete, coach, and sports administrator who dedicated his life to advancing athletics and education in Connecticut.

Early Life

Born in West Virginia, Neale earned his nickname “Widdy” as a child — short for “iddy-widdy,” in contrast to his older brother Earle “Greasy” Neale, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. At Parkersburg High School, Widdy was a multi-sport star, earning All-State honors and helping his football team capture state titles in 1916 and 1918.

Yale Years

After transferring from West Virginia University, Neale became a standout halfback for Yale’s undefeated 1923 football team, while also lettering in baseball and basketball.

He graduated in 1925 and went on to a successful business career before returning to Yale in 1933 to launch the university’s groundbreaking intramural athletics program — a model later adopted by colleges across the country.

A Champion for Golf

In addition to his work at Yale, Widdy was an accomplished player, winning the Connecticut State Golf Association Senior Championship three times (1946, 1947, 1955). He served as Executive Director of the CSGA from 1946 to 1985, during which time he introduced the association’s first scholarship initiative — laying the foundation for today’s Widdy Neale Scholarship Fund.

Honoring His Legacy

Widdy’s influence on Connecticut golf endures. In 1976, Yale dedicated the ninth hole of its famed golf course in his honor, and the clubhouse dining room proudly bears his name — a tribute to his lifelong dedication to golf, education, and community.

Contact Us

For more information about the William “Widdy” Neale Scholarship Fund, please contact:

Michaela McNamara

Managing Director of CSGA Scholarship Fund

mmcnamara@csgalinks.org

The CSGA Scholarship Fund

About William H. “Widdy” Neale, Jr.

The William "Widdy" Scholarship fund

about William h. "Widdy" neale, jr.

CSGA CORPORATE PARTNERS

ALLIED ORGANIZATIONS

The Connecticut State Golf Association