NJSGA Hosts 125th Annual Meeting at Essex County CC
WEST ORANGE, N.J. - On October 1, 2024, the New Jersey State Golf Association conducted its 125th Annual Meeting held at one of the founding clubs of the NJSGA, Essex County Country Club.
It was yet again another exciting and successful season for the NJSGA. Under the leadership of NJSGA President Rod McRae, the NJSGA has reached new heights.
McRae highlighted several significant milestones, including record participation in several events, in both tournaments and Member Golf Days. The NJSGA has also continued to evolve its communications efforts, highlighted by a new and innovative website (njsga.org), a commercial, and the digital magazine. The NJSGA also inducted four new members in the Hall of Fame - Helen Hockenjos, Chester “Red” Wender, Dot Paluck and Bob Ross.
Several leaders within the NJSGA shared updates on several committees.
Lisa Lifer, NJSGA Membership committee chair conveyed that membership has surged over the last several years and there are over 80,000 members which can participate in NJSGA activities. In addition to the 5% growth, the NJSGA started an E-Club for New Jersey high school golfers, providing handicaps to nearly 250 youth golfers.
Participation for competitive NJSGA events has been soaring. A record number of entries were received for the New Jersey Four-Ball, Mid-Am and Open Championships. NJSGA Tournament committee co-chair Walter Sartorius expressed his gratitude for all the stakeholders involved.
“It takes a village run all of these events successfully,” Sartorius said. "Thank you to all the member clubs who graciously make their clubs available, our corporate sponsors, all the players who participated in our events, NJSGA staff and something near and dear to me, the volunteers that help make the events possible.”
Brian Hunt, chairman of the New Jersey Caddie Scholarship Foundation highlighted the current state of the foundation.
“We had another successful year of the foundation for the 2024-25 academic year,” said Hunt. “We raised $1.2 million and awarded $860,000 in scholarships to 165 caddie scholars. These scholars represent 43 member clubs and will be attending 86 colleges and universities throughout the country.”
With the Evans Scholars partnership, the NJSGA is co-sponsoring 21 full four-year tuition and housing, NJSGA Evans scholarships to caddies from New Jersey clubs. Thirteen of those scholars are attending Rutgers University this fall.
In addition to the yearly updates of each committee, the Nominating Committee welcomed the Board of Trustees Class of 2027 in Eric Lundberg, Valerie DePiro, Mike McFadden, Andrew DelVecchio and Brian Hunt. Outgoing board member Walter Sartorius who dedicated countless years to the NJSGA was honored. He also received the prestigious Honey Gantner Award, given to an NJSGA volunteer that displays exemplary service and commitment to the association.
McRae also mentioned the upcoming 125th Anniversary the NJSGA will be celebrating in 2025. Details on festivities and other events will be forthcoming.
Ed Castelli of Donnelly Industries, Chris Hunt of the New Jersey Golf Foundation and Eric Fishman, Essex County CC historian added insightful presentations to the afternoon as well.
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