Carol Graybeal Named 2022 Honey Gantner Recipient
KENILWORTH, N.J. – The New Jersey State Golf Association announced that Carol Graybeal is the awardee of the 2022 Honey Gantner Award, presented annually to an NJSGA volunteer that displays exemplary service and commitment to the association.
“I look at it as appreciation to the many hours that I have spent volunteering,” Graybeal reflected.
Graybeal has been an integral part of the NJSGA for over two decades and she continues to serve as a key member of the NJSGA volunteer staff. She has been a contributor in several capacities within the NJSGA, including the Board of Trustees as well as the tournament and course rating committees.
“I have had the pleasure of knowing Carol for over 15 years. She is passionate about the game of golf and has been a huge asset for the NJSGA as a course rating volunteer, tournament volunteer, and serving on the Board of Trustees,” said Michael McFadden, NJSGA President. “She is extremely deserving of the Honey Gantner award.”
In 1980, Graybeal moved to New Jersey in 1980 with her husband, Fred Graybeal, Ph. D. Shortly after, the couple joined Fairmount Country Club and she quickly became engaged in the golf realm.
After taking up the game quickly, in 1982, Graybeal began competing on the Women’s Metropolitan Golf Association (WMGA) teams.
Her tenure in volunteerism began in 1987 with the New Jersey State Women’s Golf Committee (NJSWGC), which eventually merged with the NJSGA in 2008. She moved up the ranks and served as Chairwoman of the NJSWGC in 2001. When the two organizations joined, Graybeal was an essential member of the process.
Beginning in 1996, Graybeal began her exploration into the Rules of Golf, mastering the field after taking over two dozen workshops and ultimately becoming an expert Rules Official.
“I’m a very good rules person, a very good course rater and it sort of compensates for not being a very good golfer,” Graybeal joked. “I take pleasure in doing rules and course ratings.”
Her enthusiasm for the WMGA remained steady, becoming involved with course rating for the organization in 2000. Eventually, Graybeal began rating courses in New Jersey for the NJSGA and has served as chairwoman of the Course Rating Committee as well as a captain sine 2019.
“Carol is an experienced, devoted and influential course rater,” said Rich Kennedy, Director of Handicapping & Membership Services. “In many cases, we look to her for final call during ratings and discussions.”
Having a longstanding relationship with the NJSGA, Graybeal was deservingly appointed to the NJSGA Board of Trustees in 2020. Earlier furthermore, in 2008, Graybeal was appointed to the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship Committee and then in 2015 was appointed to USGA Women's Committee.
"For so many years competitors in NJSGA events could count on seeing Honey Gantner helping around the scoreboard. Now it’s Carol Graybeal we see as a rules official, course rater and member of the Board. Carol’s commitment to the association is inspiring.” Kevin Purcell, Executive Director.
Honey Gantner, a longtime member of the North Jersey Country Club, began her volunteer work with the NJSGA in 1994 and continued with it through 2010. She was a familiar face at every NJSGA event, a face everyone could count on for a smile and a warm greeting. The NJSGA honored Honey in 2012 by naming its Volunteer of the Year Award the “Honey Gantner Award.” Graybeal will be honored at the Annual Meeting on October 19 at Fairmount Country Club.
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