Latest Updates & News
| The 2023 USGA Handicap Season is now Open in NJ |
New Jersey’s Inspiration Golf Range & Activity Center
Selected for PGA of America Places to Play Program
The open-to-the-public facility will receive a
$250,000 donation from PGA REACH to support programming
for youth, military Veterans and special needs Community
The Inspiration Golf Range & Activity Center is a multi-purpose facility operated by the New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF), the charitable arm of the New Jersey PGA Section (NJPGA). The facility serves as the home site for golf programming that caters to youth, military Veterans and individuals with special needs. The donation will support the construction of a roof over the 27-bay teeing ground of the driving range, enabling protection from the elements, as well as eco-friendly lights and heaters. It will also be used to install drainage systems on the property to care for a new natural grass tee that will enhance the teaching and coaching for PGA Professionals.
The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, which is operated by the PGA of America in close collaboration with the LPGA, was built on the history and tradition of the LPGA Championship, which began in 1955 and is the second-oldest major in women’s golf. The event will take place on the iconic and newly restored Lower Course at Baltusrol Golf Club for the first time ever, from June 21-25.
The donation will be presented on Wednesday June 21st in conjunction with the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Baltusrol.
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Ron Jaworski Golf to Host Freedom Day Benefiting Folds of Honor in July
Over 750 golfers, 117 holes of golf across all six Ron Jaworski Golf properties
Folds of Honor, a national nonprofit organization that creates life-changing scholarships for the spouses and children of fallen and disabled military service members and first responders, has announced that Ron Jaworski Golf will be hosting a Freedom Day outing on July 3 to benefit Folds of Honor’s scholarship programs.
More than 750 golfers of all skill levels will participate in playing 117 holes of golf in an exceptional golf experience across all six Ron Jaworski Golf properties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Net proceeds will create scholarships for the spouses and children of military members’ and first responders’ families in eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
“It’s very exciting to partner with an organization that shares our commitment and passion to recognize the service, contributions, and sacrifices of those who have and continue to serve our great nation,” stated Beth Simmons, President of the Eastern PA/NJ Chapter of Folds of Honor. “Golfers, sponsors, and volunteers are helping us make a difference in the lives of family members impacted by the life-changing and long-lasting effects of the loss or disability of a loved one.”
Each course will feature a celebrity athlete host, special tee gifts, prizes, unique auction items, and much more. The format will be a 4-person scramble that kicks off with a 9 a.m. shotgun at all six Ron Jaworski Golf courses. Registration is $840 per team ($210 per player) at Running Deer Golf Club, RiverWinds Golf and Tennis Club, Blue Heron Pines Golf Club, and Downingtown Country Club. Registration at Ramblewood Country Club and Valleybrook Country Club is $740 per team ($185 per player).
“Nothing beats a day out on the greens unless you are also raising support for the families of our military members and first responders,” added Ron Jaworski, CEO of Ron Jaworski Golf. “With six unique properties, each club is designed to elevate players’ experience with magnificent golf conditions and provide a range of amenities from tennis to dining to the perfect atmosphere for weddings and private events.”
Folds of Honor’s 31 chapters host events that enable supporters to participate in a variety of activities while contributing to the creation of scholarships for the spouses and children of military service members and first responders living in their communities. Ron Jaworski Golf properties has a lengthy history of supporting active military members and veterans and the Freedom Day golf event benefiting Folds of Honor is another opportunity for the organization to support active military and veterans. All six Ron Jaworski Golf properties offer free rounds of golf to active military members and veterans on Veterans Day. The organization also supports the Marines Toys for Tots program annually.
To register or become a sponsor for Ron Jaworski Golf’s Freedom Day, visit www.ronjaworskigolf.com/freedom-day and select your desired course.
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Liberty National Golf Club welcomes the inaugural Mizuho Americas Open - May 29-June 4, 2023
The LPGA and Mizuho Americas, the NYC-headquartered arm of one of the largest financial institutions in the world, has announced that the inaugural Mizuho Americas Open will take place May 29 - June 4, 2023, at the prestigious Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City, NJ.
The Mizuho Americas Open will mark the first time Liberty National welcomes the LPGA Tour, after hosting several world-class events, including the Presidents Cup and multiple PGA TOUR playoff stops. The tournament will see the best golfers in the world compete for a $2.75 million purse, one of the largest non-Major Championship purses on the LPGA Tour calendar for the 2023 season, against the backdrop of the Manhattan skyline and Statue of Liberty.
In addition, the Mizuho Americas Open will concurrently host an AJGA Invitational, which will provide the opportunity for 24 female junior golfers on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Tour to compete alongside the 120-player LPGA Tour field for their own individual title. This unique format marks the first time that the AJGA and the LPGA have partnered to showcase the stars of today competing inside-the-ropes with the future of the game, creating an unprecedented week of education and access to inspire the next generation of LPGA Tour players.
“The Mizuho Americas Open is a purpose-driven partnership that aligns our shared values of opportunity, equity, and advancing the next generation of talent,” said Shuji Matsuura, Chairman & CEO, Mizuho Americas. “We look forward to collaborating closely with the LPGA and inviting colleagues and clients to join in supporting this world-class event that promotes women, celebrates excellence, and sets new standards of competition.”
The multi-year agreement between the LPGA, Mizuho Americas, and Liberty National marks the global bank’s first entry into sports sponsorship in the U.S. As part of the launch, LPGA Tour icon Michelle Wie West, who recently took a step back from professional competition, will serve as Tournament Host and Mizuho Brand Ambassador.
“When I announced that I was stepping away from competitive golf earlier this season, my goal was to continue to live by the LPGA mantra to ‘Act Like a Founder,’ and to leave the game in a better place than I found it,” said Wie West. “With the help of Mizuho Americas and the amazing partners that have joined together to bring this to Liberty National, we’ll be able to do just that and impact future generations of the game. I am so proud to host this groundbreaking event and partner with a company that sees the value in supporting women’s golf.”
The Mizuho Americas Open is being launched at a time of record-setting global growth for the LPGA. One of the world’s oldest professional women’s sports organizations, 2022 sees the Tour’s 32 tournaments offering a record-high $93.5 million in prize money to athletes representing more than 35 countries.
“The Mizuho Americas Open is an exciting addition to the LPGA Tour schedule, offering a unique opportunity to showcase the very best of today’s players competing alongside the future of the game,” said Mollie Marcoux Samaan, Commissioner, LPGA Tour. “As the worldwide leader in women’s golf, the LPGA is committed to integrating and growing all parts of the female golf ecosystem and this event is perfectly aligned with that goal. From the first time we met the teams at Mizuho and Liberty National, it was clear how committed they both were to making this a game-changing event for players, employees and fans and more broadly, using the tournament as a platform to advance opportunities for girls and women on and off the golf course. I’m thrilled to welcome Mizuho and Liberty National Golf Club to the LPGA family and thank Michelle for continuing to help drive the LPGA forward as she has done her whole career.”
Established in 2006, Liberty National Golf Club will challenge the best golfers in the world, while delivering some of the most stunning views in golf. The iconic venue will add the LPGA Tour to its impressive line-up, having already hosted some of the most prominent events in professional golf.
“Hosting an original and distinctive LPGA Tour event at Liberty National is one of the reasons we built the club,” said Dan Fireman, Co-Founder and President, Liberty National Golf Club, along with his father and Co-Founder Paul Fireman. “We are elated to align with Mizuho and the LPGA, and look forward to our iconic location serving as the backdrop of the Mizuho Americas Open for many years to come.”
The leading tour for junior golfers, the AJGA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the overall growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships through competitive junior golf.
“The opportunity to tee it up alongside the LPGA Tour stars of today at Liberty National Golf Club is an absolute treat for 24 junior golfers aspiring to compete at the highest level,” said Jason Etzen, Chief Business Officer, AJGA. “The integration of educational programming throughout the week will be invaluable for the next generation of young stars.”
We will definitely cover this exciting new event next Spring, but in the meantime. more information is available at www.mizuhoamericasopen.com.
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Korn Ferry Tour Returns to New Jersey with the Inaugural Magnit Championship at Metedeconk National Golf Club - August 17-20, 2023
Ticket and Volunteer Opportunities Now Available!
The Korn Ferry Tour, Outlyr and Magnit has announced a four-year partnership to host a new professional golf tournament – the Magnit Championship – beginning in 2023. The inaugural Magnit Championship will be played August 17-20, 2023, at Metedeconk National Golf Club in Jackson Township, New Jersey.
Magnit, which was previously known as PRO Unlimited until last month, is a global leader and pioneer in contingent workforce management. Magnit will become the title sponsor of the new Korn Ferry Tour event through at least 2026. The Magnit Championship marks the Korn Ferry Tour’s first event in New Jersey since the 1997 Laurel Creek Classic, which was played at Laurel Creek Country Club and won by six-time Korn Ferry Tour winner Matt Gogel.
“We are thrilled to partner with Magnit to bring Korn Ferry Tour golf to the Tri-State area,” said Korn Ferry Tour President Alex Baldwin. “This market is home to incredibly passionate golf fans, and we’ve been working hard to bring a tournament back here for some time. Metedeconk National Golf Club is an outstanding facility and is reflective of the quality of golf course we strive to provide our members. We are grateful to the Magnit team for their commitment to the Korn Ferry Tour, and we look forward to making a positive impact in the community for years to come.”
The Magnit Championship will be a 72-hole tournament featuring 156 players from around the world and will be the 22nd of 26 events on the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour schedule.
"Next summer, the Magnit Championship will provide excitement and drama, as it will serve as the final opportunity for Korn Ferry Tour members to qualify for the 2023 Korn Ferry Tour Finals," added Baldwin.
“Magnit and the Korn Ferry Tour share a guiding principle: to build community by developing talent,” said Magnit President Gregg Spratto. “Becoming a part of the PGA TOUR family is exciting enough but providing up-and-coming golfers with an opportunity to showcase their skills makes the partnership all the more meaningful. Creating opportunities for talent sits at the heart of what Magnit does, and the Magnit Championship will be an extension of that work.”
Magnit ambassador Denny McCarthy is a two-time Korn Ferry Tour graduate. McCarthy earned his first PGA TOUR card with three top-25s in the 2017 Korn Ferry Tour Finals and retained his TOUR card a year later with a four-stroke victory at the 2018 Korn Ferry Tour Championship – then held at Atlantic Beach Country Club in Atlantic Beach, Florida – to finish atop the 2018 Korn Ferry Tour Finals Points List.
“I’m thrilled to see Magnit as a title sponsor on the Korn Ferry Tour for a few reasons,” said McCarthy. “The Korn Ferry Tour is where I earned my PGA TOUR card back in 2017 and it’s been an amazing journey since then. Also, I teamed up with Magnit last season, so it’s great to see them support all the players. Partnering with companies like Magnit is important to me because I look for those organizations who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to excellence within their space. As players, we pride ourselves on that same commitment to winning and dedication to the sport. I hope we have a fantastic tournament and wish everyone the best.”
Metedeconk National Golf Club, which originally opened in 1987, is located in the upper region of the New Jersey Pinelands and is routed through the local marsh and lowland pine forest. Metedeconk National Golf Club is a private, 27-hole facility, which was designed by world-renowned golf course architects Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Roger Rulewich.
“Magnit has been an absolutely phenomenal sponsor and a great partner of mine,” said six-time LPGA winner Jessica Korda, who serves as a brand ambassador for Magnit. “I’m so excited to see that they’re giving another opportunity for the Korn Ferry Tour players to be able to play and earn their PGA TOUR cards. I know that this is a really big deal to a lot of the players, and all they need are opportunities. It’s phenomenal to see a company like Magnit stepping up and giving that to them. I’m really excited about the event and wishing everyone good luck.”
“Tri-State area fans are super rowdy and fun,” added Korda. “They’re some of my favorite crowds to play in front of. I think the Korn Ferry Tour players are going to have an absolutely fun time.” We will be covering this event next Summer...in the meantime, more information about the Magnit Championship can be found at www.MagnitChampionship.com Championship.
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Jason Gore, Meg Whan and Anthony Volpe (NY Yankees) to Join NJGF Advisory Council
The New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF), the charitable arm of the New Jersey Section, PGA of America (NJPGA), recently announced former PGA TOUR player, Jason Gore, currently the PGA TOUR’s Senior Vice President, Player Advisor and Meg Whan, spouse of Mike Whan, Chief Executive Officer of the United States Golf Association, as new additions to its Board of Trustees. Concurrently, New York Yankees’ Anthony Volpe, one of the top prospects in all of baseball, and a passionate NJGF supporter, will serve on the new NJGF Advisory Council. Gore, Whan and Volpe will all serve 3-year terms.
Gore captured wins on both the PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour during a two-decade playing career. His seven wins on the Korn Ferry Tour are the most in that circuit’s history. In 2005, he won three times on the Korn Ferry Tour, captured the PGA TOUR’s 84 Lumber Classic, and played in the final group of the U.S. Open. He also was a member of Pepperdine’s NCAA title team in 1997 and represented the United States in that year’s Walker Cup. Gore assists the Commissioner and the TOUR’s senior leadership in developing long-range, player-focused strategies that align with the unique needs of the TOUR’s players.
After moving to New Jersey in 2021 and learning about the positive impact of the NJGF programming, Whan is excited to immerse herself as a volunteer, while helping to drive forward the Foundation’s mission of impacting lives and communities through the game of golf. Whan enjoyed a front row seat while supporting the LPGA’s philanthropic initiatives while husband Mike served as Commissioner of the LPGA TOUR from 2010 - 2021.
“I love that the core pillars of the NJGF are youth, military and special needs, all while focusing on growing diversity, equality and inclusion in the game,” said Whan. “I’ve learned how golf builds self-confidence, teaches discipline and emphasizes honesty and respect for others, and I am looking forward to becoming more involved in the NJGF to achieve these goals.”
Volpe, a native of Watchung, New Jersey, was a 1st round draft pick of the New York Yankees in 2019. In 2022, Volpe started the season with the Double-A Somerset Patriots, represented the American League at the All-Star Future Game, and was promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Yankees Triple-A affiliate in September. A passionate golfer in the off-season, Volpe has been a supporter of NJGF events and programming and will continue to provide insight in his new role on the Advisory Council.
“With Jason and Meg we get incredible experience, fresh perspective, and an unrelenting passion to support our mission,” said Chris Hunt, Executive Director, NJGF. “It’s also refreshing to see Anthony, one of the top prospects in all of baseball recognize the positive impact we make on diverse populations and want to be a part of it.”
The NJGF was created in 2004 to positively impact lives and communities through the game of golf, with a focus on 3 core pillars: youth, military, and special needs. Under the guidance of PGA Professionals, programming is designed to provide individuals from all backgrounds with an opportunity to experience the game of golf in a welcoming environment. In 2022, The Inspiration Golf Range and activity center opened. The multi-purpose facility - which is now open to the public - serves as the homesite for the NJGF’s line-up of dynamic golf programming.
Signature NJGF programs include Golf In Schools, which is run annually at more than 200 schools across New Jersey, impacting more than 120,000 boys and girls (K-8); PGA Junior League, which features more than 80 teams and 1,300 kids under the age of 13 throughout New Jersey; Special Olympics New Jersey Golf and PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), a rehabilitative golf program for military Veterans that enhances their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
If you want to send us an update about your course, email editor@njgolfnews.com and we will continuously update this page.