Hall of Fame Class of 2020 to be Celebrated with Class of 2021 at November 17 Reception

KENILWORTH, N.J. - The New Jersey State Golf Association Hall of Fame is made up of an esteemed group of influential people and talented golfers from around the Garden State. On November 17, both the class of 2020 and 2021 will be celebrated at Galloping Hill Golf Course.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 reception was delayed and now the pair of star-studded NJSGA Hall of Fame classes will be formally inducted during a ceremony that will be open to the public. To purchase tickets to the highly anticipated event, click HERE.

Established in 2018, the NJSGA Hall of Fame exists to recognize and enshrine men and women who, as New Jersey natives or residents at their time of achievement, have impacted New Jersey golf and/or have made extraordinary contributions to the game. Its mission is to honor New Jersey’s finest amateur and professional golf competitors, as well as those who are contributors to golf, such as architects, journalists, superintendents, mentors, volunteers and others.

The inaugural Class of 2018 included professionals Johnny Farrell, Vic Ghezzi and Byron Nelson, plus legendary amateurs, Carolyn Cudone, Charlotte Glutting, Bob Housen, Maureen Orcutt, Chet Sanok, Jerome Travers and Charles Whitehead.

The class of 2020, which comprises of four competitors and one accomplished entrepreneur will be honored alongside the 2021 class on November 17.

The late Leighton Calkins constructed the very first version of the handicapping system. The Plainfield Country Club member utilized the British system of averaging the three best scores in 1904, it was not until 1911 when the USGA adapted part of his system for their own. Calkins served as a member of the USGA Executive Committee, chairman of the Handicap Committee for both the NJSGA and MGA, and served a two-year term as president of the NJSGA in 1907-08. To learn more about Calkins, click here. 

Compiling an impressive 13 NJSGA championships, Michael Cestone goes down as one of the most successful amateur golfers in New Jersey history. Most notably, Cestone won the 1960 U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, and at the time, was just the second New Jersey player to capture a USGA title. To learn more about Cestone, click here. 

Sherry Herman, one of the most prosperous female golfers in the Garden State has compiled five NJSGA Women’s Amateur Championships (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and 2009). Her 2009 season was highlighted by a USGA victory in the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. Prior to claiming her first USGA victory, Herman won the 2008 NJSGA Women’s Senior Championship as well as a pair of NJSGA Women’s Four-Ball Championships (2014 and 2016). She currently resides in Florida where she continues to compete. To learn more about Herman, click here. 

A former head golf professional at Atlantic City Country Club, at age 19, John McDermott was the first American-born player to win the U.S. Open in 1911. He went on to defend his title, winning the 1912 U.S. Open at the Country Club of Buffalo. McDermott’s competitive golf career was cut short due to mental illness and concluded his campaign with an eighth-place finish at the 1913 U.S. Open. To learn more about McDermott, click here. 

Over more than two decades, Allan Small put together a whopping eight NJSGA titles. Small’s career was highlighted by a 2004 victory at the New Jersey State Amateur, a win that led him to New Jersey Player of the Year honors. A constant competitor in contention, Small is well known for being the first to win the State Amateur, Mid-Amateur and Senior Amateur. As a result of his success, Small played in 56 of New Jersey’s team events such as the Compher Cup and the Stoddard Trophy. He currently resides in Georgia, where he continues to compete in their local events. To learn more about Small, click here. 

The November 17 celebration will have limited capacity with tickets being offered to the public on a first come, first served basis. Tickets for the event cost $50 per person. The evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception. The induction ceremony is set to start at 7 p.m.  To ensure everyone’s safety, and in accordance with CDC guidelines, the NJSGA will require all attendees to wear a mask indoors when not eating or drinking.

To learn more about the members of the Class of 2021, click here.