THE LATEST HEADLINES FROM NEW JERSEY GOLF NEWS
Bill Hook, Head Golf Professional at Knickerbocker Country Club, named 2024 NJPGA Golf Professional of the Year.
The New Jersey Section of the PGA of America (NJPGA) has announced its 2024 annual award recipients, led by Bill Hook, Head Golf Professional at Knickerbocker Country Club, who was named 2024 NJPGA Golf Professional of the Year, the highest honor for a PGA Professional within the Section.
Now in his 14th season at Knickerbocker, Hook has continued to display qualities of leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the NJPGA, and the game of golf. Hook is finishing his final year as President of the New Jersey Section this year after serving as the Secretary and Vice President for the previous 5 years.
The New Jersey PGA plans to recognize the award recipients at NJPGA Fall Meeting on Monday, October 28th at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club and, in conjunction with the New Jersey State Golf Association, on Thursday, Oct. 24th at the Celebration of Golf at Canoe Brook Country Club.
2024 NJPGA Special Award Winners:
● Golf Professional of the Year: Bill Hook – Knickerbocker Country Club - Tenafly, N.J.
● Assistant Golf Professional of the Year: Kyle Costanzo – Metedeconk National Golf Club - Jackson, N.J.
● Teacher of the Year: Vince Ramagli – Montclair Golf Club - West Orange, N.J.
● Club of the Year: North Jersey Country Club – Wayne, N.J.
● Bill Strausbaugh Award: Kevin Beirne – Spirit Golf Management - Lambertville, N.J.
● Professional Development Award: Mike Attara – Spirit Golf Management - Lambertville, N.J.
● Merchandiser of the Year (Private): Kelly LaDow – Rumson Country Club - Rumson, N.J.
● Merchandiser of the Year (Public): Rylee Plitz – Eagle Ridge Golf Club - Lakewood, N.J.
● Player Development Award: Mike Andrusin – Berkshire Valley Golf Course - Jefferson, N.J.
● Youth Player Development Award: Brian Mackey – North Jersey Country Club – Wayne, N.J.
● Patriot Award: Rylee Plitz – Eagle Ridge Golf Club - Lakewood, N.J.
● Salesperson of the Year: Tom Gleason - Jack Jolly & Son, U.S. Kids
● Deacon Palmer Award – Scott Higgins (posthumously) – Montammy Golf Club - Alpine, N.J.
CONGRATULATIONS
DEREK GUTIERREZ
winner of the 2024 NJ State Open Championship
Derek Gutierrez, a former First Tee of Plainfield participant, recently won the 104th NJ Open Championship which was played at Plainfield Country Club. Derek and his older brother Andrew, started their golf career at Plainfield West 9 in the First Tee program where they were coached by First Tee coaches, Bill Castner and Chico Perez.
“Like many of our participants, Derek developed a great no nonsense attitude and really loves golf. Obviously, he can really play the game,” added Coach Bill.
Gutierrez, an 18-yr old rising sophomore at Rutgers University was raised in Cranford, and had a strong junior golf career. He participated in the John Shippen Golf Society at Shady Rest Golf Course in Scotch Plains. He recorded three career AJGA Top Ten finishes and played in many NJPGA Junior Tour events, notching one victory and several top ten finishes. By the end of his high school career he was #1 Ranked in New Jersey according to the Junior Golf Scoreboard
Max McGreevy, winner of the 2024 Magit Championship at -18, which was played at Metedeconk Golf Club in Jackson
Linnea Strom, winner of the 2024 SHOPRITE LPGA CLASSIC presented by ACER winner, who shot a final round 60, for her first LPGA win
Photo Credit - Will Prata - All rights reserved
FUTURE EVENTS IN NJ
2027 BMW Fed-Ex Cup Championship at Liberty National (August 2027)
Plainfield Country Club to host the 2025 US Amateur Four-Ball Championship,
2031 US Senior Women's Open and the 2035 US Senior Men's Open
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR THE 2025-26 NJSGA EVANS SCHOLARSHIPS - The deadline for applications is 10/15/24
CLICK HERE FOR SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS
The 2024 Evans Scholarship winners in New Jersey were
Jhann Torres (Essex County CC), William Cosgrove (Manasquan River GC), Declan Murphy (Manasquan River GC), Edward Myronoff (Baltusrol GC), Jakob Krombholz (Plainfield CC), Maso Adao (Baltusrol GC), Riordan Walker (Spring Lake GC) and Luke Roy (Spring Lake GC) were chosen based on displaying a strong caddie record, excellent academics, financial need and outstanding character.
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