NJSGA Celebrates Four Hall of Fame Inductees in 2022 Ceremony
Pictured (L-R): Ed Whitman, Karen Noble, David Glenz
KENILWORTH, N.J. – In front of over 250 guests, the New Jersey State Golf Association celebrated three of the Garden State’s most talented golfers, David Glenz, Karen Noble and Ed Whitman, alongside George A. Crump, architect of the esteemed Pine Valley Golf Club, who was honored posthumously.
Inductees, family and friends shared memories with one another in a festive evening at Galloping Hill Golf Course, headquarters of the NJSGA.
2022 Hall of Fame Photo Gallery
The Class of 2022 joins a distinguished group that has made a unique and lasting impact on the game of golf in New Jersey. Established in 2018, the NJSGA Hall of Fame was established 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 through competitive and non-competitive accomplishments. The mission is to honor New Jersey’s finest amateur and professional golf competitors, as well as those who have made outstanding contributions in other areas of golf such as architects, journalists, superintendents, mentors, volunteers and others.
Present for the induction was Glenz, Noble, Whitman and Peter Dannenbaum of Pine Valley Golf Club, who accepted Crump’s recognition on his behalf.
Glenz was introduced by Black Oak Golf Club head golf professional Bryan Jones. Jones reflected on Glenz’s three eras; intensity, rediscovery and legacy.
“No better word could describe David Glenz than intensity,” Jones said. “Intense on the golf course, whether in competition or a casual golf round with his staff after a long day on the lesson tee.”
Glenz’s phenomenal career is highlighted by four New Jersey Open titles in 1984, ‘86, ‘88 and ’90, two Met Open Championships (1978, ’86), and two NJPGA Section Championships (1985, ’86). Glenz is a four-time NJPGA Player of the Year (1985-’88) and was named the NJPGA Player of the Decade for the 1980s.
“It's been a long journey," reflected Glenz. "I think I get the most satisfaction from teaching, playing was always rewarding and then the number one thing I've always wanted to do was design and build a golf course. That's the one thing that stands out of the most."
"If you look at the names of the professionals and the amateurs that I'm following, it's a tremendous honor," said Glenz. "Especially from a little town in Oregon starting out, to end up in New Jersey in the Hall of Fame, it's pretty amazing."
Noble was introduced by teaching professional and television host Michael Breed. Breed hired Noble as a teaching professional at Sunningdale Country Club in New York after she retired from the LPGA Tour in 1999.
“She got the job,” Breed reflected on his insistence Noble take the job at Sunningdale. “She’s turned into what you see now, which is somebody that is a world-class coach.”
“When I think about Karen, I think about somebody that is incredibly passionate, extremely selfless, curious, hardworking, competitive, and if you’ve seen her on a golf course, I’ve had the pleasure of seeing that as well.”
In the 1980’s and 90’s, Noble dominated the amateur scene, most notably finishing runner-up in the 1988 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Minikahda Club in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A native of Brookside who grew up playing golf at Morris County Golf Club where she learned from fellow NJSGA Hall of Fame Class of 2022 inductee David Glenz, Noble won the New Jersey Women’s Amateur Championship three times (1987, ‘88, ‘90) and was runner-up in 1986.
Noble went on to have a successful professional career on the LPGA Tour from 1992-1999. In 1992, she qualified for the Tour in her first attempt, and later that season, attained her highest finish when she was runner-up in the LPGA Championship.
“I hit driver, 4-iron to 30 feet on the final hole, third stage, 72nd hole and somehow drained the putt for birdie to get fully exempt status on the LPGA Tour,” Noble reflected on her dramatic experience at LPGA Qualifying school.
Noble went on to have a successful professional career on the LPGA Tour from 1992-1999. Following her professional playing career, Noble joined the teaching ranks, making stops at Sunningdale Country Club (N.Y.) and Hamilton Farm Golf Club before her current position at Fairmount Country Club where she has been the Director of Instruction since 2010.
“It means a lot because the game of golf has really given me everything in my life,” Noble expressed. “All of the best things in life has come from playing this great game. To be able to possibly influence other people, other women, my daughters, other females, to help them get involved in this game and play this lifelong sport is really tremendous. I’ve had many great mentors, influences in my life, so hopefully I can pass on my passion, excitement and love for this game to future generations and get more women and young girls interested in this game.”
Whitman was introduced by one of his son’s, Eric. Over the years, Whitman has compiled a whopping 225 professional wins and collected an impressive 20 major professional championships in the Garden State. His most notable victories are titles in the 1991, ‘95, ‘96 and 2004 Open Championships; he is also a four-time winner of the New Jersey PGA Section Championship (1982, ’83, ’87, ’90).
Whitman Hall of Fame Biography
“It’s the highest honor we can receive as golf professionals and people who play golf,” said Whitman. “Without being a goal of mine, it’s certainly a fond award for lifelong efforts.”
Whitman was also a dominant presence in NJPGA competition. In addition to his four section titles, Whitman has won two NJPGA Match Play Championships, six NJPGA-U.S. Healthcare Championships, two NJPGA Players Championships and two Titleist NJ Club Pro Championships. He is also a five-time NJPGA Player of the Year (1989, ’93, ’95, ’96, 2004) and is a 1996 inductee into the NJPGA Hall of Fame.
On the national stage, Whitman has competed in 21 PGA Professional National Championships, 15 Senior PGA Professional National Championships, four PGA Championships, two U.S. Open Championships, two Senior PGA Championships and one U.S. Senior Open.
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