Steve Foehl Recognized As 2016 Iaga Distinguished Service Award Recipient
Stephen M. “Steve” Foehl, who served as New Jersey State Golf Association executive director for 25 years, is the recipient of the International Association of Golf Administrators’ 2016 Distinguished Service Award, the IAGA has announced.
The association’s highest honor was established to recognize individuals or groups whose actions have fostered the IAGA objectives as stated in its By-laws, “to promote and conserve the best interests and the true spirit of the game of golf as embodied in its ancient and honorable traditions.” The selection criteria include, but are not limited to, the demonstration of superior or innovative administrative abilities, excellence in information exchange, and dialogue between golf administrators and golf organizations.
The award was presented on Monday, Nov. 7, at the IAGA annual conference at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort in Amelia Island, Fla.
“The ultimate tribute is to be honored by your peers. I am humbled and thrilled by this accolade,” said Foehl, a resident of Fair Haven, N.J.
Foehl has worked in amateur golf for more than 30 years including stops at the USGA and a 25-year career as the Executive Director of the New Jersey State Golf Association from November 1, 1989 to December 31, 2014. He still supports the NJSGA as a consultant in special projects.
While at the NJSGA, Steve’s leadership produced record levels of individual and club memberships, increasing membership threefold to 75,000. NJSGA competitions expanded from 10 tournaments to 24, The Caddie Scholarship Fund raised record amounts and distributed an ever-increasing number of annual scholarships. During his tenure, the association created an award-winning magazine, NJSGA GOLF, and developed a contemporary new website, www.njsga.org.
Prior to taking the helm at NJSGA, Foehl served the USGA as Manager, Regional Affairs from June 1977 until September 1981. Following that period, he was Member of the USGA Junior Amateur Committee (1982 – 1989) and the USGA Regional Association Committee (1989 – 2014). Continuing his dedication to the game, Steve worked as a Rules official at 68 USGA Championships, including 26 U.S. Opens. He retains a seat on the USGA Senior Amateur Championship Committee. For his meritorious service, Foehl received the USGA’s prestigious Ike Grainger Award in 2007 for 25 years of service as a volunteer committee member.
Foehl is a past president of the International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA).
