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New Jersey State Golf Association |
www.njsga.org
The New Jersey State Golf Association promotes, supports and ensures the quality, traditions and development of the game of golf for everyone throughout the State of New Jersey." In accordance with the mission statement, the New Jersey State Golf Association is dedicated to serving golf in New Jersey. We are proud of our diverse tournament schedule, which includes seventeen state Championships for golfers of varying backgrounds. The NJSGA also provides Handicapping service through the USGA's Golf Handicap and Information Network (GHIN). In addition, we are proud of our Caddie Scholarship Foundation, which has contributed in excess of $ 4,000,000 to over 1500 deserving youngsters since its inception in 1947. In 2005, 215 students will receive educational funding from the NJSGA. Our Youth Foundation also supports the growth of golf in New Jersey; our annual 'Hook a Kid on Golf' and 'Hook a Kid on Caddying' programs are aimed at the future generations of New Jersey golfers.
The NJSGA is proud of its extensive and diverse tournament schedule, which includes seventeen State Championships and three invitational team events each year. The Caddie Scholarship Foundation provides support to deserving young men and women.
The New Jersey State Golf Association is a non-profit organization of member clubs and courses dedicated to the service of golf. Founded in 1900, the Association was formed for the purpose of promoting and conserving the true spirit of the game throughout New Jersey. Now, in its 106th year, the NJSGA has continued to grow and serve over 270 clubs, courses, and organizations representing over 100,000 golfers throughout the state.
In June of 1900, twelve clubs came together over dinner to choose the first officers that would represent the first official New Jersey State Golf Tournament. L.H. Graham of Baltusrol Golf Club was chosen President, and L. St. Clair Colby of Essex County Country Club was elected Secretary. Among the first clubs represented at this first official meeting were Baltusrol Golf Club, Morris County Golf Club, North Jersey Country Club, Yountakah Country Club, The Englewood Golf Club, The Golf Club of Lakewood, The Golf Club of Montclair, The Hillside Golf and Tennis Club of Plainfield, and Essex County Country Club.
One of the main objectives of the newly founded NJSGA was to create tournaments exclusively for New Jersey golfers. The first tournament, the New Jersey State Amateur Championship, was held in September of 1900 and won by Archibald Graham of North Jersey Country Club. Until 1919, this was the only Championship conducted by the NJSGA; this year would see the first NJSGA Junior Championship. Two years later, in 1921, the New Jersey State Open Championship was born. Through these early years, the Turfgrass Research program and Caddie Scholarship fund were established, and both continue to flourish today.
The New Jersey State Golf Association conducts seventeen State Championship competitions including the Open, Amateur, Mid-Amateur, Senior Open, Best Ball of Four, Father and Son, Mixed Pinehurst, Four-Ball, Junior and Boys, Senior and Pre-Senior, Senior Four-Ball, Men's and Women's Public Links, and the Men's and Women's Tournaments of Club Champions. In addition, the NJSGA conducts three invitational events, including the Stoddard Bowl Matches (with the Long Island and Westchester Golf Associations), the Compher Cup Matches (with the Golf Association of Philadelphia), and the Senior Team Matches with the Golf Association of Philadelphia, Delaware State Golf Association, and the Maryland State Golf Association. New Jersey State Golf Association
Handicapping service is also provided by the NJSGA, via the USGA's Golf Handicap and Information Network (GHIN). Service is available for up to six categories of players including Men, Ladies (9 and 18-Hole), and Juniors. A junior golfer can receive a USGA/GHIN Handicap free of charge through the NJSGA.
The GHIN program involves the transmission of scores to GHIN via a computer (or computers) located on the premises of the facility. Many NJSGA member clubs, courses, and organizations also permit their golfers to post scores on the Internet, through the NJSGA website (www.njsga.org) or the GHIN website (www.ghin.com). The NJSGA's GHIN Handicapping service represents a superior quality service for nearly 275 clubs, courses, and organizations throughout the state. Nationwide, the numbers of players receiving GHIN services exceeds 2,000,000.
Course Rating is yet another of the many services provided by the NJSGA. In accordance with USGA Course Rating specifications, nine and eighteen hole ratings are assigned to tee locations and weigh the effect of each individual hole's playing characteristics and obstacles, as well as its yardage. Ratings are calculated for both an "expert" and "average" or "bogey" golfer in order to determine the course's Slope Rating.
Another of the many services promoting golf in our state includes our Caddie Scholarship Foundation, which provides renewable scholarships to deserving high school graduates. Scholarship awards of $1,800-$3,500 per year are applied to the college of choice to qualified boys and girls who combine a high academic record and financial need with one year of caddie experience at a NJSGA member club. The awards are renewable for a maximum of four years as long as the caddie scholar maintains a high academic record and continues to meet the minimum requirements of the program. Since 1947, the Caddie Scholarship Program has provided funds to more than 1,500 eligible caddie scholars, totaling over $4,000,000 in assistance to deserving youngsters. Funds for the Caddie Scholarship Foundation are generated by contributions from generous individuals and NJSGA member clubs.
The NJSGA legislative representative in Trenton maintains a constant watch for any legal matters that might affect the numerous aspects of golf club operations. Water conservation, land development, and tax-related matters are some of the issues monitored closely by our representative. Frequent reports to the NJSGA are made, and NJSGA member facilities are advised if developments warrant further attention.
The NJSGA is also proud of the administration of our Youth Foundation, which provides educational and employment opportunities for young people through the game of golf. Each summer, the NJSGA conducts 'Hook a Kid on Golf' and 'Hook a Kid on Caddying' clinics aimed at children of underprivileged backgrounds.
Numerous informative seminars are also conducted by the NJSGA. Visitation to member clubs and courses is offered, with speakers available to cover and discuss important topics such as the USGA Handicap System and the Rules of Golf.
We also enjoy a close, working relationship with various international, national, regional, state, and local golf associations. These relationships help to promote the game of golf throughout the world, and the networking ability between our associations assist in bringing the highest caliber of service to our over 275 member clubs, courses, and organizations throughout the State of New Jersey.
Stay tuned in 2007 to NJGolfLinks.com for information and interviews.
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