Bucks Eagle Scout Candidate Sinks An Ace With Putting Green Project

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — With frigid temperatures and snow on the ground, the residents of Chandler Hall in Newtown are no doubt dreaming of warmer temperatures and a chance to again hit the campuses’ brand new putting green.

Last fall, Troop 29 Scout Jacob Strader of Furlong brought golf back into their lives with the construction of a brand new 2-hole putting green at the Cain Llenroc building.

Strader started planning the Eagle Scout project last summer and oversaw its construction over two weekends in the fall at the non-profit Quaker-based Continuing Care Senior Living Community.

The idea for the project came from Chandler Hall, which had already bought the turf for the project but was looking to fund raise to pay for its installation or for an Eagle Scout candidate willing to take on the project.

That’s when Jacob stepped into the picture. He had heard that Chandler had some projects they were looking to complete from Deb Porter, the president of the Newtown Rotary Club, and volunteered his leadership skills to undertake the putting green project.

Scouts and family members working on the new green last fall. (Contributed)

Scouts and family members working on the new green last fall. (Contributed)

During two weekends last fall, Jacob oversaw the construction of the green with a team of 24 volunteers, including 16 Scouts and a handful of parents.

Jacob oversaw the excavation of the site during the first weekend of the project. He finished it up the following weekend with the installation of the turf.

“When it opened the weather was fantastic and it got a lot of play,” said Jacob’s dad, Jerry. “Unfortunately the colder weather set in soon after that and it was closed for the winter.”

The brand new putting green is designed to promote physical activity, social interaction and the mental well being of the residents, according to Jerry.

Troop 29 Scout Jacob Strader is thanked by Chandler CEO John Whitman. (Contributed)

Troop 29 Scout Jacob Strader takes his guests on a tour of the new putting green. (Contributed)

“Chandler already does a lot for its residents. This adds another level to that - an opportunity for its residents to go out into the fresh air and enjoy some practice putting,” said Jerry.

The new green has been welcomed enthusiastically by Chandler residents, bringing golf back into their lives and providing them with another way to remain active.

“It also looks great,” added Jerry. “Because Jacob lined it in with river rock, the color of the green and the river rock makes it looks like something right out of Arizona. It adds to the decor at the back area of that building.”

Leading up to the build, Jacob spent hours watching videos online to get an idea on how to frame it, secure it, and how many layers of compact stone to include. “There was a lot of research put in on how to do it,” said Jerry.

Jacob is a graduate of Saint Andrew School in Newtown and is the son of Jerry and Adrienne Strader. His mom is a teacher at the Pine Run Elementary School in the Central Bucks School District.

Jacob is in the 10th grade at Archbishop Wood High School in Warminster where he plays on the school’s volleyball team.

His future plans right now are undecided, although his dad said he’ll probably pursue a business degree. “He just turned 16 so he’s still at that age where he doesn’t have a solid career path yet.”

Jacob began his Scouting career with Pack 380 at Saint Andrew School in Newtown. When he aged out of Cub Scouts he joined Troop 29 in Newtown, rising up through the ranks to earn the rank of Life Scout and completing 60 merit badges. He is currently a patrol leader with the troop.

Pending the outcome of his board of view, Jacob anticipates advancing to the rank of Eagle during a Court of Honor this spring.

It will be 45 years after his dad earned his Eagle Award in 1980 while a Scout in western Pennsylvania.

“It’s exciting,” said his dad of his son following in his Eagle Scout footsteps. “Being an Eagle has definitely provided me a lot of benefit in my career. I can really appreciate looking back at the benefits it provided me with what I consider good business skills as I went forward in my career. That’s what I’m looking forward to with Jacob.

“He’s done a really good job of being committed to the Scouting program,” said his dad. “It was rewarding in the end to see that he was pleased with the final product, which even impressed him because he didn’t expect it to turn out that well. I’m proud of the fact that’s he stayed committed.”

The completed putting green at Chandler Hall's Cain Llenroc building. (Contributed)