Jim Mcgovern, Ex-pga Tour Pro, Named To N.J. Sportswriters Hall Of Fame

COVER PHOTO: Jim McGovern flanked by brother Tom (current NJSGA president) and mom Terry at induction ceremony (more photos below)

Former PGA Tour golfer Jim McGovern, head professional at White Beeches Country Club, was inducted into the New Jersey Sportswriters Hall of Fame on Sunday in the sportstwriters annual luncheon at the Pines Manor in Edison.

"This is one of the nicest honors I've ever received," McGovern said. "I'm a Jersey guy, born and raised and I'll never leave. Looking back on my career, it's been a fun ride. This is the exclamation point. I couldn't be happier."

McGovern, who was joined by his wife Lauren and daughters Melanie and Lizzie, and his mother Terry, recounted how his older brother Tom (current NJSGA president) turned him on to golf. Unlike other PGA Tour players, Jim would always come back to New Jersey and his family for the winters instead of spending time practicing in Florida.

"I got tired of the Tour," said McGovern, who has four chilrden. "Now, I come home every night and do things with the family, and I couldn't be happier."

McGovern was among 17 honorees, including Carli Lloyd of the U.S. Women’s gold-,medal winning soccer team, Todd Frazier of the Cincinnati Reds, Rutgers football coach Kyle Flood, champion Frankie Edgar of the UFC and pitcher Brad Brach of the San Diego Padres (see entire list below).

McGovern, a native of Oradell who attended Bergen Catholic H.S., played 20 years on the PGA Tour. His career year was 1993 when he won the Houston Open and had two other top-10 finishes, earned $587,495 and finished 27th on the money list. His best finish in a major was T5 at the 1994 Masters Tournament. His best finish at a U.S. Open was T13 in 1994 at Oakmont. As an amateur, he won the 1987 Metropolitan Open and in 1988, the Met Am.

Jim and his family were honored as Golf Family of the Year by the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association in 1996. .

He had 14 career top-10 finishes in PGA Tour events and won three times on the Nationwide Tour. He came to White Beeches in 2011.

List of Honorees:

· Carli Lloyd, U.S. Women’s Soccer, Woman of the Year

• Kyle Flood, Rutgers, College Football Coach of the Year

• Brad Brach, San Diego Padres, Relief Pitcher of the Year

• Bruce Harper, New York Jets, Football Good Guy

• Jim McGovern, Golf, Hall of Fame

• Kerry Fraser, NHL referee, Hall of Fame

• Ken Frank, Toms River South H.S. baseball, Distinguished High School Service

• Jay Price, Manasquan H.S. football, Hurricane Sandy First Responders Tribute

• Phil Anastasia, Philadelphia Inquirer, Newspaper Achievement Award

• Jack Curry, YES, Broadcast Achievement Award

• Frankie Edgar, UFC, Hall of Fame

• Linda Toscano, Harness Trainer of the Year

• Dennis Drazin, Monmouth Park, Distinguished Service to Horse Racing

• Walter Hameline, Wagner Football, Hall of Fame

• Todd Frazier, Cincinnati Reds, National League Rookie of the Year

• Gerry Matthews, Richard Stockton College, Hall of Fame

• Phil Cundari, Seton Hall University, Hall of Fame