Charlie Gould Named 2023 Honey Gantner Recipient
KENILWORTH, N.J. – The New Jersey State Golf Association announced that Charlie Gould is the winner of the 2023 Honey Gantner Award, presented annually to a NJSGA volunteer that displays exemplary service and commitment to the association.
“When you receive recognition in anything, especially as a volunteer, it's very meaningful,” said Gould. “As much as volunteers like to do things without seeking any reward, it's a great feeling to know that you're appreciated.”
Gould was a pivotal part of the NJSGA Course Rating Committee for over 30 years, during which, he served as a Course Rating Captain for 15 of those years. In this role, he was the on-site point-person during the ratings where he coordinated arrangements with the course, organized the rating team members, and led the training of new raters while acting as a resource for any raters who had questions regarding any aspect or the process of Course Rating.
“Charlie was an experienced and devoted course rater who helped the NJSGA staff tremendously over his exceptional career,” said Joe Fierro, Manager of Tournaments & Course Rating. “He always strove to provide excellent service on every rating, no matter the golf course. Everyone who served on Charlie’s team was involved, informed and eager to provide this crucial service to our member clubs.”
Not only was Gould a dependable course rating captain, but he was also forward-thinking in his approach on how to better the Association. It was Gould who was one of the first course raters to advocate for the usage of laser measurement tools. Additionally, Gould made it a point to work with other raters in a true collaborative effort, actively discussing with his teammates at the conclusion of rating every hole.
"Probably my favorite component was working with the people,” Gould recalled. “The staff was terrific to work with and that made life easy. I really enjoyed training and working with others. The more training I did, the better a rater it made me.”
Honey Gantner, a longtime member of 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.”
Gould, a former member of Stanton Ridge Golf and Country Club is now retired from the committee and a resident of Virginia.
“I never dreamed I would win this award. I never dreamed that I did all that much for the New Jersey State Golf Association,” Gould said. “Looking at the list of past recipients of the award and I know some of the names. They didn't do the job halfway, so it's nice to be in that company.”
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