NJGF Newsletter April 2024

The Hero Program™ Expands Fundraising Footprint in New Jersey…NJ Golf Foundation and PGA HOPE to Serve as Beneficiary

Schedule a “Hero Day” at Your Facility and Support Military Veterans

The Hero Program™, the charity arm of Elite Fundraising Solutions, Inc., the largest company supporting charity golf outings in the country, recently announced an expanded footprint in New Jersey in 2024. The New Jersey Golf Foundation and PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) will serve as the primary beneficiary for all fundraising.

Launched in California in 2018, supporting one 501(c)(3) to benefit Veterans with PTSD counseling, The Hero Program™ has achieved explosive growth partnering with more than 21,000 charity golf events across the country in 2023. The Hero Program™ is an on-course fundraising effort for public play days, along with golf outings and special events at public, private and semi-private clubs, benefiting Veterans and first responders who risk their lives to protect our freedom.

Becoming a “Hero Day” golf course partner directly impacts the lives of thousands of Veterans and first responders and families. Current NJPGA Section Golf Facilities that have hosted Hero days include the following:

• Trump National Golf Club - Colts Neck
• The Knoll Country Club - West
• The Knoll Country Club - East
• Forsgate Country Club
• Colts Neck Golf Club
• Concordia Golf Club
• Crabury Golf Club
• Eagle Ridge Golf Club
• Great Gorge Golf Club
• Meadows Golf Club
• Cream Ridge Golf Course
• Preakness Valley Golf Course

“PGA HOPE is a rehabilitative golf program that is truly changing and saving the lives of military Veterans living with physical and cognitive challenges,” said Chris Hunt, Executive Director, NJGF. “I encourage all golf facilities in the NJPGA Section to explore hosting a Hero Day, it will be such a rewarding experience, and all for a terrific cause.”

Benefits of Hosting “Hero Days”

• The average Hero Day raises over $2,000. NJ Golf Foundation/PGA HOPE receives 25% of the gross raised on every Hero Day in NJ.
• Hero courses receive immediate new revenue streams on Hero Days with purchased gift cards to the facility for closest-to-the-pin winners and if a hole-in-one is made. Host courses also receive free marketing and promotion in The Hero Savings Pass which has a reach exceeding 20,000,000.
• Golfers can participate in on-course challenges as well the opportunity to win complimentary stays in Cancun, Mexico and membership in The Hero Savings Pass. The Savings Pass has access to unique discounts and savings to over 1,700,000 companies and 850,000 hotels worldwide. The average person saves over $2,000 annually.

Scott Mallory, Director of Golf and Head Pro at the Journey at Pechanga, a public facility in California who has been a partner with The Hero program since 2018 stated, “Journey at Pechanga has been involved and part of the Hero Program for a number of years now. They’re very professional with every aspect of their program and we are very fortunate to be associated with them and what they do for our Veterans with physical disabilities.”

To learn more about the Hero Program or to schedule a Hero Day at your facility please contact Rich Klypka, Regional Vice President, East Coast, Elite Fundraising Solutions and The Hero Program at richklypka.eliteevents@gmail.com or 201-819-1743.

PGA HOPE

PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), the flagship military program of the New Jersey Golf Foundation continues to grow. The rehabilitative golf program for military Veterans enhances their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being, and is truly changing and saving the lives of America’s Heroes.

Led by more than 80 NJPGA Professionals specially trained to teach Veterans with PTSD, TBI, amputees and other physical/cognitive challenges, the instructional golf program is now available in all 15 NJPGA serving counties and will positively impact more than 450 Veterans in 2024.

Thank you to the following facilities, for serving as host venues for PGA HOPE Sessions across New Jersey, and it’s a privilege to recognize the lead PGA Professional at each respective venue.

• Architect's Golf Club - Keith Grassing
• Berkshire Valley Golf Course - Mike Andrusin
• Canoe Brook Country Club - Christine Reuss
• Darlington Golf Course - Bill Nash
• Eagle Oaks Country Club - Mike Attara
• Eagle Ridge Golf Club - Joe Murphy (Military Veteran)
• Essex Golf Range - Sam Kang
• Fiddler's Elbow Country Club - Juliet Little
• Forsgate Country Club - Mike Furey (Military Veteran)
• Galloping Hill Golf Course - Pete Busch
• Hawk Pointe Golf Club - Pete Stefanchik
• Hudson Golf - Daniel Castano
• Inspiration Range - Andy Brock
• Mansfield Golf & Learning Center - Mike Lanzetta
• Mountain View Golf Course - Paloma Santiago
• North Jersey Country Club - Brian Mackey
• Paramus Golf Course - Sean Callanan
• Rossmoor Golf Club - Ray Bridy
• Rutgers University Golf Course- Lisa Jensen
• Tee Performance Indoor Golf - Scott Pruden
• The Green 973 - Jerry Carter (Military Veteran)

Somerset Patriots and New Jersey Golf Foundation Celebrate Autism Awareness

The New Jersey Golf Foundation is a proud partner of the Somerset Patriots, the New York Yankees AA franchise. On Thursday, April 18th, the Patriots hosted Autism Awareness Night at TD Bank Ballpark, and the NJGF enjoyed an expanded presence at the stadium, with the opportunity to educate attendees on the importance of golf programming for children living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Physical activities for children living with (ASD) are proven to improve their quality of life, and the NJGF is a longtime supporter of The Ernie Els #GameON Autism® Golf Program, hosted annually at the Inspiration Golf Range.

North Jersey Country Club Named New Jersey Golf Foundation’s 2023 Club of the Year!

Congratulations to North Jersey Country Club for being recognized as the NJ Golf Foundation 2023 Club of The year.

Special Thanks to Brian Mackey, PGA, Director of Golf Instruction; Head Golf Professional, Brian Krulfeifer; Chelsea Creo, General Manager; Lalta Persaud, Assistant GM and Controller; and the outstanding membership at North Jersey Country Club for their incredible commitment to the NJGF.

The $20,000 donation is earmarked to support PGA HOPE NJ programming, our life saving rehabilitative golf program for military Veterans.

New York Red Bulls Rising Star Daniel Edelman Named to New Jersey Golf Foundation Advisory Council

Edelman Joins New York Yankees Star Shortstop Anthony Volpe on NJGF Advisory Council

Daniel Edelman, the New York Red Bulls rising star, has been named to the NJGF Advisory Council. Edelman, from Warren Township, NJ joins current New York Yankees Shortstop Anthony Volpe, originally from Watchung, NJ on the Advisory Council.

Entering his third season with the New York Red Bulls, Edelman signed his first professional soccer contract after graduating from Watchung Hills High School. In 2023, Edelman captained the USA Under 20 National team to the Quarterfinals of the U20 World Cup in Argentina. Edelman recently signed a contract extension through 2027 with the New York Red Bulls.

“The NJGF is thrilled to have Daniel Edelman join Anthony Volpe on our Advisory Council, as we look to continue to drive our mission of impacting lives throughout the region using the great game of golf,” said Chris Hunt, Executive Director, NJ Golf Foundation. “Aligning with these rising star athletes allows us to better connect with golf enthusiasts across multiple sports and promote the amazing programs we offer under the direction of NJ PGA Professionals.”

With a limited golf background in his youth, the professional soccer player has fully embraced the sport after working with NJPGA Professionals over the past few years. Today, Edelman enjoys teeing it up in the offseason, and fine tuning his game at The Inspiration Range, in Basking Ridge, on off days. The USGA Golf Journal featured his story in the Winter 2023 issue.

In his role on the NJGF Advisory Council, Edelman will support NJGF programming and special events, which will include appearances at youth golf activities and NJGF signature fundraising events.

South Bergen Jointure – March 4th

With a commitment to inclusion, NJGF staff members visited students from South Bergen Jointure Commission Lodi Campus on March 4th for a golf instructional tune-up session. The kids were all smiles, and later in the spring, they will make their annual visit to NJGF Headquarters at Fiddler’s Elbow CC, where they will to tee it up in the swing studio, work on their short game and putting with NJPGA Professionals and participate in target practice using the inflatables.