NJPGA InsiderSeptember, 2014
Page Two President’s Message
Page Three NJ Golf Foundation News
Page Four Head Pro Spotlight
Page Five Section News
Page Six Assistant Pro Spotlight
Page Seven Ice Bucket Challenge
Page Eight Player of the Year
Presidents Message
Please click on the picture aboveto view NJPGA President Andy
Brock’s video message
NJ Golf Foundation NewsNJGF Triple Crown
October 13-15, 2014
FormatA better ball of partners
Field60 teams; 2 players per team
Flights10 flights in the field; 6 teams in each flight
Overall ChampionThe team with the most points over the three day period will be
named the Overall Champion
Ridgewood Country Club Plainfield Country Club Somerset Hills Country Club
Cost$2,000 per person
Includes greens fees, gifts, awards, food & drink all three days
RegistrationTo register, please contact Danielle Osowski at the New Jersey
Golf Foundation(732) 465-1212
For more information, visit njgftriplecrown.org
The Barclays ChampionshipAugust , 2014
The NJ Golf Foundation spent the week at Ridgewood Country Club for The Barclays Championship, the first leg of the Fed-Ex Cup Playoffs. Our PGA Professionals gave free lessons in Spectator Village and helped out on the short game area. Duringa ceremony on Tuesday, Horizon BCBSNJ donated $5,000 to the NJGF and pledged to donate $1,000 for every 10,000 stepsMorgan Hoffman made during the Championship. Hoffman’s 75,000 steps led to another $7,5000 donation from BCBSNJ.
We look forward to the Barclays in 2015 at Plainfield Country Club!
Head Pro SpotlightJim McGovern, White Beeches Golf & Country ClubCan you talk a little bit about your experience in the PGA Championship at Valhalla? How many other majors have you played inand was this one any different than the past ones?
To be honest it was fun and enjoyable. My children have never seen anything like it, 40,000 thousand fans on a Wednesday wasmore then they ever could have imagined. To have the entire family there was an experience like none other.I think this was my 20th and probably last major: 2 Masters, 2 British Opens, 5 PGA's, and 12 U.S. Opens. This one was enjoyed moreby me and my family. I didn't stress as much as I use too. I tried to stay relaxed and enjoy the whole experience.
You had a long career on the PGA Tour. Is there anything that you learned that has helped you as a Head Professional?
The biggest thing I learned on Tour was that at the end of the day it "was only golf.” I try to convey that to my membership on adaily basis. Tomorrow is another day, hopefully you will play a little better. The other thing I took from the tour is that everyone hastheir own unique swing. You can't teach the same swing to each golfer. You have to work with what each individual can and cannotdo.
What are your best memories from your time playing on the Tour?
Winning was something I dreamed about but to actually pull ONE off was an amazing feeling. The first time at THE MASTERS, play-ing AMEN CORNER, finishing 5th. The places golf has taken me, all over the globe chasing a little white ball, the people I've met andthe friends I've made----PRICELESS.
Do you still enjoy competing? How much has it change since playing on Tour?
I love competing against anyone, anytime, at anything. Golf, cards, corn hole, can jam, basketball, it doesn't matter.
There are obviously numerous ways to make a living in the golf industry. How did you make the decision to become a club profes-sional after you finished your playing career? Did you have any other areas of the business you were interested in pursuing?
I love golf and after my playing days on tour I wanted to stay in the game, I just wasn't sure in what capacity. A few of my friendswere members here at White Beeches G&CC and wondered if I might be interested in being the head pro here. I thought about it fora little while and did some research on what this all might entail (a ton of thanks to Mike Dezic at Hackensack Golf Club). It justseemed like a great opportunity for me and my family. The chance to be home every night, see my kids, go to my children's sportingevents, help around the house and screw up my wife's schedule was to much to pass up. I love walking out of my office and have agolf course for a front yard.
How much have you seen the game change since your early days on tour? Do you think the changes are good for the game?
The changes are incredible. When I first started in the game we used persimmon woods and softer golf balls, which made it a loteasier to curve the ball. Today, everything is made to go longer and straighter, the harder you swing the further it goes. I think it'schanged the game not necessarily for the better but I think people in general dig the long ball and it's mentality all the young kidsthink about. Personally, I feel like a lot of strategy has been removed from the game and overpowering the golf course is the waveof the future.
Your career path has been much different than that of many assistants trying to become Head Professionals. What advice wouldyou give to assistants whose goal is to become a Head Professional?
I think the best advice I could give anyone is to treat people the way you want to be treated. Show respect and be courteous to afault. The membership is there for a fun relaxing day, they may be entertaining or they may be working on a business deal. Try totreat each and every member and their guests as you would want to be treated. You want to leave them with a lasting impressionon the club and looking foward to the next time they come back.
Section NewsNJPGA National Car Rental Assistant Championship
August 11 - Canoe Brook Country ClubCongratulations to Champion, Carl Hays!
Pro Junior ChampionshipAugust 21 - Forsgate Country Club
Congrats to the Champions from Echo Lake CC!
Pro Lady ChampionshipAugust 27 - North Jersey Country Club
Congratulations to the Champions from Manasquan River GCChris Dymek & Kathy O’Grady! Pro Assistant Championship
September 2 - Deal Golf & Country ClubCongratulations to Champions, Jim McGovern &
Brian Mackey (White Beeches G &CC)!
Assistant Pro SpotlightBryan Dougherty, Navesink Country Club
Elected to PGA Membership: June 2014Third season at Navesink Country Club
Past Clubs: The Fox Club (FL), Moselem Springs GolfClub (PA), and The Bridges at Rancho Santa Fe (CA)
Favorite Golf Courses: Merion Golf Club, SomersetHills Country Club, Secession Golf Club, and TheBridges at Rancho Santa Fe
Playing Accomplishments: First career victory at2014 Open Stroke Play/Assistant Event at RumsonCountry Club
Favorite Parts of the Business: The aspect of my jobI enjoy most is golf instruction, especially regardingjunior golfers. We have a fantastic Junior Golf Pro-gram here at Navesink and there is nothing morerewarding than seeing a junior golfer’s face when heor she finally hits that one perfect shot. Shortly afterjuniors start hitting good shots, they will start plead-ing their parents to play with them in the after-noons. My very favorite part of the day is late in theafternoon when I look down to the driving range orfirst tee, and I see parents about to go out and playa hole or two with their children.
Career Goals: My ultimate career goal is to becomea Head Golf Professional or Director of Golf at afamily-oriented private club in either the Northeastor Southern California.
Ice Bucket Challenges
It started with a nomination from Keith Stewart and his staff at Springdale Golf Club, continued withNJPGA President, Andy Brock and his staff at Metuchen Golf & Country Club, and finally both of our
Executive Directors agreed to ice water on their heads. Click on each picture to view the videos!
Player of the Year
Save the DateCelebration of Golf
October 23 - Trump NationalGolf Club, Bedminster
Please consider inviting yourmembers and guests to join
us for golf and dinner!
Presented by Polo Golf
Presented by Dunning Golf
