New Jersey PGA Wins Two Of 12 PGA National Awards

The New Jersey PGA Section took home two of the 12 national awards: the Herb Graffis Award went to NJPGA for its work in growing the game; the Youth Development Award was presented to Bill Castner of Plainfield West 9 Golf Club in Edison.

Their acceptance speeches were included as part of an article in the December issue of PGA Magazine.

The New Jersey Golf Foundation serves three pillars in its efforts: youth, special needs and military.

“It’s a priority for our section,” said NJPGA president Scott Paris of Plainfield Country Club in receiving the Herb Graffis Award. “Priority led to our vision and our Foundation, which New Jersey PGA professionals have continutally supported and taken to the next level.”

In receiving his award, Castner explained his passion for teaching young people comes from golf professionals who shared the game with him at a young age. He told the story of a young woman who spends nearly every day at the facility.

“Her father and I were talking the other day about how she would go off to college soon. I told him he’d have to find a new playing partner and he said he played 64 rounds with my daughter this year and 68 rounds with my daughter last year. ‘What other sport allows a parent to spend that much time with his or her child.’ “