NJSGA Youth Foundation Pro-Am Raises an Impactful $110,000
Pictured (L-R): Chris Hunt: Executive Director, New Jersey Golf Foundation, Rod McRae: NJSGA, President, Mike Attara: President, the New Jersey Golf Foundation, Frank O'Brien: Chairman, NJSGA Youth Foundation and Scott Paris: Chief Operating Officer & Director of Golf at Plainfield Country Club
EDISON, N.J. - The annual New Jersey State Golf Association Youth Foundation Pro-Am was once again a resounding success, raising a record $110,000. The 2024 outing, conducted at Plainfield Country Club, home of the 104th New Jersey Open Championship was held on Monday, July 22.
The NJSGA Youth Foundation supports deserving youth golf and sports-related programs throughout the state of New Jersey. This support is provided through grants and instructional clinics and recognition through NJSGA publications and events. One of the many organizations that the NJSGA Youth Foundation supports is Mercer Street Friends and their Reading Intervention Program. In 2023, the NJSGA Youth Foundation helped provide a transformative donation of $25,000 that has helped advance the Mercer Street Friends Reading Intervention Program at their Community Schools.
"I went to the graduation for the second grade class and to see the smiling faces of these youngsters for what they had just accomplished was something else," NJSGA Youth Foundation Chairman Frank O'Brien said.
The event attracted 27 foursomes who were able to play on the same course that 120 amateur and professionals will be tested on for the Open, sponsored by Donnelly Industries. The 54-hole stroke play major championship is set for Tuesday through Thursday, July 23-26 at the historic venue.
Winning the 2024 Pro-Am from the professional side was Anthony Casalino of Mendham Golf & Tennis Club. On the Pro-Am side, the foursome of Jason Fiore, Paul Tanis, Pat Wilson and Jim Travis earned the win.
In addition to the golf outing entry, raffle tickets and course sponsorships were available to support the Youth Foundation. The 2024 Pro-Am outbested last year’s funds raised by $10,000.
Also presented at the Pro-Am reception was a $35,000 check to the NJSGA Youth Foundation from the New Jersey Golf Foundation with funds raised during the combined foursome auction hosted in the spring. The NJSGA Youth Foundation and NJ Golf Foundation raised over $75,000.
To close out the evening, a $5,000 donation by the NJSGA Youth Foundation to the Evans Scholars Foundation (ESF), the organization chosen by Plainfield Country Club was presented. The NJSGA's esteemed Caddie Scholarship Foundation and the Western Golf Association’s (WGA) acclaimed Evans Scholars Foundation built a partnership in 2022 serves the youth in New Jersey with added opportunities and college scholarships.
2024 Youth Foundation Raffle Winners Announced
The NJSGA wishes to thank those generous individuals who participated in this year's Youth Foundation raffle, which raised $44,000. This support will help fund grants to youth golf programs throughout the state.
The following winners were selected at the Pro-Am reception following golf. (Winners will be contacted individually.)
GRAND PRIZE – Rudy Ringwald; 2 nights & 4 rounds of golf for two at Streamsong Golf Resort. Generously donated by Streamsong Resort. (Prize includes airfare)
2nd Prize – Jim Checchio; The Majors Tour - A foursome at Plainfield CC, Forest Hill FC, Knickerbocker CC and Watchung Valley GC
3rd Prize – Todd Fliegel; The Jersey Tour - A foursome at Glen Ridge CC, Hackensack GC, Arcola CC and Ridgewood CC
4th Prize – Drew Michel; The Shore Tour - A foursome at Manasquan River GC, Hollywood GC, Metedeconk Nationl GC and Spring Lake GC
5th Prize – Eli Dweck; Peter Millar Golf Outfit
6th Prize – Bill Caruso; Duffle Bag (donated by Richie Gibbons)
7th Prize – Chris Mitovich; BagBoy ZTF Travel Cover
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