Bill King 2013 Njpga Hall Of Fame Inductee

Bill King, PGA Head Golf Professional at Spring Lake Golf Club, was the 2013 NJPGA Hall of Fame inductee. He was honored and recognized on October 24 at the Celebration of Golf at Trump National Golf Club – Bedminster amongst nearly 300 friends, family, and peers.

Selected by the Hall of Fame chairman (Robert Downey of Crestmont) and committee, the nominee is chosen based on playing consideration and service consideration. Playing consideration includes the following criteria: a winner of multiple championships, player/senior player of the year winner, minimum 5 years in the NJ sections, and above all, having conducted themselves in a professional and ethical manner. Service consideration includes a minimum of 15 years of service at the section level, a section award winner, service at a national level, and a national award winner.

King has served as Head Golf Professional at Spring Lake for 23 years.

“None of us [award winners] can receive awards without the help of others,” he began at the Celebration. “I am part of an outstanding team at Spring Lake Golf Club. For over 23 years at Spring Lake I have had a Board of Trustees that have golf and the golf course at its #1 priority.”

His speech continued with several anecdotes about his loving family, his solid golf game, and the faith he has maintained through long weeks and bad breaks. He proudly held the titles of the NJPGA Championship, Assistant Championship, and the Pro-Pro simultaneously. King also played in the U.S. Amateur, PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and the U.S. Senior Championship.

“I am grateful for the people I have met along the journey. From the nine-hole public links in Scranton, to caddieing at Forsgate, I did not know where it would take me. To Rutgers with Art DeBlasio and Gigi Carnevale and to Spring Lake where I am today.”

As a teenager, King worked on the grounds crew and caddied at Forsgate Country Club. After graduating from St. Peter’s, he attended and played golf for Rutgers University by the assistance of the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship.

King now serves as a NJPGA advisor to the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation Board of Trustees. As of late, King, with the tireless work of Spring Lake caddie master, Tom Caverly, has strengthened the caddie program at the club tremendously. Both men are Lifetime Sustaining Par Club Members, meaning they continue to donate to the Foundation even though they have surpassed $10,000 (Lifetime Club).

King ended his acceptance speech with, what he believed, was a hopeful proclamation. To his friends, family, and peers, there couldn’t be truer words.

“And in the end I want to be remembered as the guy who was a hard worker, well prepared, a good competitor, fun to play with…”

Bill King will be remembered for all that and so much more.