Golf Styles, August 2007
These men and women, the assistant golf professionals at clubs across the state, are working hard to enhance the sport in New Jersey while also striving to improve themselves.
They are often our primary contacts at golf courses. The assistant golf professional is likely the first staff encountered in the pro shop, attending to our initial needs while readying and directing us to the range and first tee. They’re available for lessons, interacting on a daily basis with most members and guests. They care about their profession and strive to improve themselves and their effectiveness to promote and grow the game.
The 175-member New Jersey Assistant Golf Professional Association (NJAPGA)
includes Pre-Apprentices to Class “A” PGA members. Pre-Apprentices are assistant golf professionals new to the golf business and not yet entered in the professional golf management program. Other NJAPGA members are enrolled in the program working toward PGA Membership, while Class A PGA Professionals are assistants who have fulfilled all the requirements of the professional golf management program and have been elected to PGA Membership. There are 66 Class A professionals currently in the NJAPGA. The governing body, elected by their peers, consists of one- year term executive officers and a board of directors each serving two years.
The association sponsors weekly membership events, including educational seminars on various topics, such as running tournaments, merchandising, club fitting, teaching golf, and developing oneself to become a head professional.
Popular NFL Referee Bill Lovett spoke on networking and motivational speaking this spring at a seminar, offered in conjunction with the New Jersey PGA Education Committee. These sessions are done for self-improvement but ultimately benefit the club, members, guests and the community.
Seminars are held prior to scheduled tournaments or events throughout the state. There’s also a 12-man N.J. Assistants versus Met Assistants competition. NJAPGA is the defending champion. This year events will take place at Plainfield, Mendham, Madison, Rockaway River, Echo Lake, Royce Brook, Hollywood,. Canoe Brook, Essex Fells, Greenacres, Eagle Ridge, Deer Run, Brooklake, Navesink, Crestmont, Forest Hill, Mt Tabor, Beacon Hill, Copper Hilt, Montclair golf and country clubs.
The NJAPGA sponsors. two annual Pro-Am charity events that benefit the Lupus Foundation and the Eastern Amputee Golf Association, Through these events they donated over $2,500 to these organizations in 2006.
