NJGF Newsletter April 2022

President's Message

On behalf of the New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF) and our Board of Directors, welcome to the 2022 golf season! As the weather starts to change, and golf facilities open across the state, I look forward to the NJGF’s exciting line-up of programming and special events.

Positively impacting lives and communities through the game of golf is our passion, and with a full slate of golf programs for youth, military Veterans and individuals with special needs on the calendar this year, we will continue to make a difference in so many lives.

The official opening of the Inspiration Golf Range and Activity Center will elevate our programming this year. The multi-purpose facility will host PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) a rehabilitative golf program for military Veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI; youth programs such as the recent Youth Golf Day and programming for Special Olympics NJ Golf Athletes.

Please mark your calendars for the NJGF’s signature fundraising events: the Peter A. Famiano Memorial Pro-Am on June 16th at Trump National Bedminster and the NJGF Golf Classic on August 8th at Baltusrol Golf Club.

As always, we appreciate the commitment from our partners & donors, as your continued support allows us to make a more meaningful impact in communities across the state. If you are looking to get involved in 2022, please contact the NJGF’s Executive Director, Chris Hunt at chunt@pgahq.com or (732) 465-1212 and follow us on twitter @NJGF for updates throughout the season.

Mike Attara, President, NJGF

The after-school player Development Program at Father English Community Center returned to action in 2022, after a hiatus due to COVID-19.

NJPGA Professionals, Brian Dobbie, (Montclair Golf Club) and Dan Ashley (Former New Jersey Section Professional) led the program for boys and girls from Paterson that excel in the classroom, as the 6-week player development program is offered as a reward to select students based on their performance in the classroom. Each year, more than 20,000 boys & girls (K-8) in Paterson are introduced to the game of golf in physical education class, through the Golf in Schools program.

As an extension of Golf in Schools, the Father English after-school program delivers another opportunity for kids to continue their golf development with the hopes of sparking greater interest in the game.

Inspiration Golf Range & Activity Center Officially Opens on the Campus of the Lyons VA Medical Center in Bernards Township

Military Veterans and Special Olympics New Jersey Athletes joined dignitaries from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Somerset County, NJ, as the NJGF officially opened the Inspiration Golf Range & Activity Center located on the Lyons Campus of the VA New Jersey Health Care System, in Bernards Township.

The multi-purpose facility - which is now open to the public - will serve as the homesite for the NJGF’s line-up of dynamic golf programming, highlighted by PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) a rehabilitative golf program for military Veterans suffering from PTSD and TBI, among other challenges. To complement military programming, the Inspiration Golf Range will host youth programs and serve as a training site for Special Olympics New Jersey Golf Athletes along with their Unified Partners - who will have access to the facility to prepare for State, Regional, National & International golf competitions.

PGA HOPE introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. It is the only adaptive golf program that has an MOU with the Department of Veterans Affairs and enables recreational therapists to refer Veterans to the PGA HOPE program as a form of therapy. The rehabilitative golf program, offered FREE of Charge for Veterans, positively impacts more than 4,500 Veterans nationwide each year.

“As golf surges in popularity, the Inspiration Golf Range & Activity Center offers a venue to extend our programming for youth, military Veterans and individuals with special needs,” said Mike Attara, President, New Jersey Golf Foundation. “This is an opportunity to further support America’s Heroes, while also providing a premier practice facility for the surrounding community, as it is open to the public.”

To complement the opening, NJPGA Professional Andy Brock has been named the Director of Instruction at the facility, where lessons and a diverse line-up of player development programs will be available for the general public. A decorated PGA member for nearly 25 years, Brock has been a longtime advocate of the NJGF having served as President in 2010-11 and a member of the Board of Directors for several years. His commitment to volunteerism also includes serving as an Officer of the NJPGA Section, including a stint as President from 2012-14.

Prior to his new role, Brock served as the Head PGA Professional at Metuchen Golf & Country Club for 20 years (2001-2020) and was most recently the Director of Instruction at the Golf Range at Branchburg, in Branchburg, New Jersey. An accomplished player, Brock was Captain of the University of Richmond Golf team before becoming a PGA Member. He was named the NJPGA Section’s Golf Professional of the Year in 2014, which is the Section’s highest annual honor.

Founding Partners of The Inspiration Golf Range & Activity Center include RWJBarnabas Health; Horizon BCBSNJ; Jersey Mike’s Subs and Premium Companies. The facility, which features 22 Hitting stations, will be Open to the Public 7 days a week from April 1st through November 15th (weather permitting). Operating hours are from at 9am (10am on Wednesday for maintenance) through dark - with range balls being sold up until 30 minutes before dark.