Karen Noble

(Class of 2022)

Karen Noble, one of the most successful female amateur golfers in the Garden State, began her impact on the game of golf early in her life. In the 1980’s and 90’s, Noble dominated the amateur scene, most notably finishing runner-up in the 1988 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Minikahda Club in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A native of Brookside who grew up playing golf at Morris County Golf Club where she learned from fellow NJSGA Hall of Fame Class of 2022 inductee David Glenz, Noble won the New Jersey Women’s Amateur Championship three times (1987, ‘88, ‘90) and was runner-up in 1986.

Her success extended far beyond the Garden State. Noble thrived at the collegiate level at Wake Forest University. There, she earned Team MVP honors and the school’s Most Outstanding Female Athlete in 1989. Her stellar 1989 season was also highlighted by winning the prestigious Trans National Championship.

In 1990, Noble’s golf game reached a new pinnacle when she earned a spot on the illustrious Curtis Cup Team, which was played at New Jersey’s own Somerset Hills Country Club. Noble helped lead the United States to a victory over Great Britain and Ireland, 14-4. That same year, Noble played on the World Cup Amateur Team.

Locally, Noble is one of the most decorated players of all time. In addition to her N.J. Women’s Amateur titles, she won a trio of Women’s Metropolitan Golf Association (WMGA) Match Play Championships (1988, ‘89, ‘90), a WMGA Stroke Play Championship (1989), the Garden State Women’s Association Better-Ball-of-Partners Match Play Championship (1990) and earned a spot on the Griscom Cup Team in 1988.

Noble went on to have a successful professional career on the LPGA Tour from 1992-1999. In 1992, she qualified for the Tour in her first attempt, and later that season, attained her highest finish when she was runner-up in the LPGA Championship.

Following her professional playing career, Noble joined the teaching ranks, making stops at Sunningdale Country Club (N.Y.) and Hamilton Farm Golf Club before her current position at Fairmount Country Club where she has been the Director of Instruction since 2010.