Steve Foehl, NJSGA Executive Director, To Step Down At Year's End
Steve Foehl, executive director of the New Jersey State Golf Association for the past 25 years, is stepping down from his position at the close of the calendar year.
Foehl will remain involved with the NJSGA in various special projects.
“Steve Foehl has been the face of the New Jersey State Golf Association for 25 years and he has been a wonderful representative of our association during that period of time,” said Frank O’Brien, NJSGA president.
“His knowledge of golf and his associations with people in the golf industry are off the charts. Steve will always be a part of this association because he’s brought so much to the NJSGA,” O’Brien added.
Foehl, who began his tenure on November 1, 1989, helped oversee the NJSGA’s recent move to its state-of-the-art headquarters at Galloping Hill Golf Course. He has also been instrumental in the association’s growth to the current 24 tournaments for men, women, boys and girls, and seniors.
“I’m very proud to have been part of the growth, both in size and stature of the NJSGA. But the real credit goes to the talented staff and dedicated volunteers. I’ve enjoyed my time with the NJSGA. What better place is there to work than in a game you love,” Foehl stated.
“It’s a big step from where we were to our current headquarters at Galloping Hill. The quality of the administration of our tournaments has also grown substantially.”
Foehl has been a long-time rules official with the United States Golf Association, volunteering at such events as the U.S. Open, U.S. Amateur, Senior Open and Women’s Open. He currently serves on the USGA Senior Amateur Committee and continues to officiate.
The USGA recognized him with the Ike Grainger Award for 25 years as a volunteer committee member of the USGA.
“We’ve been talking about this for a while, and this seemed the right time for me to step down. I will continue to work on some projects on behalf of the NJSGA,” Foehl stated.
In 1999, Foehl served as president of the International Association of Golf Administrators. The graduate of Colby College previously worked five years for the USGA as a regional affairs manager then worked in private business before joining the NJSGA in late 1989.
“Under Steve, the NJSGA has made tremendous strides. More than anything, it is in the total service we provide to members and member clubs, especially in our magazine and website and in our overall communications,” O’Brien said.
Immediate past president Tom McGovern (2012-13) seconded O’Brien’s praise.
“It’s a unique individual who can cross some many years and possess the ability to adapt, change and innovate as things become much more technologically advanced,” McGovern stated.
“Steve helped implement the NJSGA GOLF magazine, our website, NJSGA.org, and our live scoring. To have done all he has done so seamlessly over the years is a testament to Steve and his staff. He’s always been one to improve the operation in all areas. He’s moved quickly in new directions while keeping the NJSGA in the forefront of golf operations to the satisfaction of the members as membership has grown exponentially,” McGovern continued.
McGovern also noted that Foehl’s relationship with the USGA helped enrich the NJSGA’s status on a national level.
“Through his tenure, Steve has been extremely loyal to each of the boards he has served, to his staff and to the association members and member clubs,” O’Brien concluded. “We’re very thankful for his service. He will still be part of us, working on special projects, and we look forward to the continuance of his service.”
A national search for his replacement, headed by McGovern, will begin immediately.
“Steve will not be easily replaced. We will search long and hard to find a replacement to fill his shoes,” McGovern said. “The good news is he will still be around. We are fortunate that he is willing to help us along.”
