NEW JERSEY PGA SECTION – HERB GRAFFIS AWARD

Aug 04, 2015 – The New Jersey PGA Section (NJPGA) was named the 2015 Herb Graffis Award recipient, as a PGA of America Section that has shown extraordinary and exemplary contributions in Player Development. Led by NJPGA President Scott Paris, the Section hosted a variety of successful youth golf programs this year that helped grow the game of golf among all demographics. The Section also won the Award in 2012. The New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF), the Section’s charitable arm, played an integral role in supporting youth player development programs throughout the state, highlighted by the growth of PGA Junior League Golf and the operation of one of the nation’s largest Golf In Schools Programs. PGA Junior League Golf expanded to more than 500 boys and girls in 2015, spread out over 60 teams. The league, which started with 12 teams in 2012, provides an outlet for beginners in the game to play in a “team” scramble format. The NJPGA/NJGF operates one of the nation’s most prolific Golf In Schools programs, impacting more than 110,000 boys and girls (K-8th grade) at over 200 schools. Under the guidance of PGA Professionals, the program is fully funded by the NJGF and offered at no cost to school districts. Additional NJPGA programs that have seen overwhelming growth in 2015 include: PGA HOPE, the flagship military program that introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities; Els For Autism golf programming for children; Special Olympics NJ; Goddard School Program; Father English Community Center; and High School JV Programming.

SOURCE: PGA