Our Family Tree
Learn about the generous donors who have established charitable funds through Stark Community Foundation.
Exactly 20 years ago, the Congress Lake Club and members of the Club established a scholarship fund at Stark Community Foundation to memorialize long-time member Norman J. Tschantz. In 1998, the scholarship expanded with a matching gift from the Deuble family in memory of another Congress Lake legacy, Walter C. Deuble. They were both strong supporters of Congress Lake and passionate about the game of golf.
Because the Congress Lake Caddy Program is the beneficiary of these two families’ generosity, the caddies who work at the Club benefit tremendously. The Club has made it a priority to invest in their employees, offering scholarships to young men and women who serve as caddies at the Club in support of their college education and professional pursuits.
And, Congress Lake’s investment in its caddies has been remarkable. In fact, since the inception of the scholarship, more than $700,000 has been awarded to deserving students.
“I was a caddy and scholarship recipient myself, so I’ve seen firsthand how the caddy experience can be invaluable to a person’s success later in life,” said Dr. Dominic Bagnoli, CEO of US Acute Care Solutions and member of Congress Lake. “The work ethic and relationship skills I developed as a caddy have played a significant role in who I am today.”
For many years, Bagnoli has been a driving force behind the annual golf tournament held at the Club, which helps raise additional dollars to benefit the caddy scholarship fund. To date, nearly $1 million in gifts have been made to the fund by nearly 500 individuals, families and organizations.
“It is because of the strong support of Club members that we’re able to help caddies pursue or further their college education,” he said. “Our annual fundraiser to support the scholarship is a true testament to the value our members place on the importance of education and preserving the caddy program for years to come.”
To honor Bagnoli’s commitment and generous contributions to the scholarship fund, members of Congress Lake surprised Bagnoli at the most recent annual golf tournament when they announced they were changing the scholarship name to the Norman J. Tschantz, Walter C. Deuble and Dominic J. Bagnoli, Jr. Caddie Scholarship Fund.