NJSGA Receives Arc of Essex County Community Partner Award

KENILWORTH, N.J. – The New Jersey State Golf Association was recently honored by the Arc of Essex County with their Community Partner Award. President Eric Houseknecht accepted the award on September 27 at Crestmont Country Club following their Craft Beer Open golf outing.

The NJSGA provided the Arc of Essex County with a three-year grant to help support developing a comprehensive adaptive sports program at Camp Hope. NJSGA's efforts have assisted The Arc in providing superior camp facilities and services to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Northern New Jersey. 

“Knowing that the grants our Youth Foundation provided to the Arc of Essex County have supported the development of adaptive sports programs at their summer camp, and particularly the addition of a golf program, aligns perfectly with the mission of our foundation to support sports related activities,” expressed President Houseknecht.

Additionally, three golf professionals volunteered to work individually with the campers on at the Arc's mini golf course and on a mini driving range. Plus, an adaptive sports specialist was added to their camp staff, which provided a new structure and curriculum to their sports activities.

“Hearing from the ARC staff members, and seeing for ourselves, how much enjoyment the campers derived from the golf instruction provided by the volunteer professionals showed how impactful the program is for the participants," Houseknecht said.