Andrew A. Vitale of Withum-Smith & Brown honored with Chairman’s Award; Special Olympics NJ receives $12,500 donation for golf programming
PISCATAWAY, N.J., September 2, 2015…The New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF), the charitable arm of the New Jersey Section, PGA of America (NJPGA), today announced that the 9th Annual New Jersey Golf Foundation Golf Classic, the signature event on the foundation’s calendar, raised more than $140,000 to support dynamic programming for youth, military and individuals with special needs. As part of the event, which was held in August at famed Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield Township, N.J., Andrew A. Vitale, a Partner at Withum-Smith & Brown, Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, was presented with the 2015 Chairman’s Award, given annually to an individual who works tirelessly behind the scenes to support the NJGF’s programs and initiatives.
A highlight of the day was the Special Olympics NJ-YAP Clinic (Young Athletes Program), where NJPGA Professionals, joined by professional golfer Kevin Foley (Somerville, NJ), introduced the game of golf to a group of boys and girls. As part of the event, the NJGF donated $12,500 to Special Olympics NJ, to support the growth of golf programming.
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. The NJGF’s focused programming, led by Golf In Schools, PGA Junior League, Boys & Girls Clubs, Special Olympics NJ, Els For Autism and PGA HOPE, impacts more than 120,000 boys, girls and military Veterans in New Jersey each year. Under the guidance of PGA Professionals, programming is designed to provide individuals from all backgrounds an opportunity to experience the game of golf in a welcoming environment.
The primary beneficiary of the August 3rd event was “Golf In Schools,” an initiative that introduces the game of golf to children by incorporating the sport into the physical education curriculum at elementary and middle schools, under the guidance of PGA Professionals. Backed by the generous contributions from NJGF supporters, an astounding 110,000 children (K-8) at more than 200 schools participate in the program which continues to grow every year throughout New Jersey.
NJGF Golf Classic Raises Over $140,000 to Benefit Golf Programming…Add One
“We are genuinely appreciative of the participation and generous contributions from our supporters, which enables us to run dynamic golf programs for youth, military and individuals with special needs each year,” said Chris Hunt, Executive Director, New Jersey Golf Foundation.
For more information on the New Jersey Golf Foundation, please visit www.njgolffoundation.com or call 732-465-1212.
About The New Jersey Golf Foundation
Founded in 2004, the NJGF is the charitable arm of the New Jersey PGA Section. With a focus on 3 core pillars (youth, military, special needs), the NJGF is committed to impacting lives and communities through the game of golf. Led by PGA Professionals, the NJGF hosts a dynamic line-up of programming that provides access for individuals from all backgrounds to experience the game of golf. Signature programs include, Golf In Schools, which is run annually at more than 200 schools, impacting more than 110,000 boys and girls (K-8), PGA Junior League featuring more than 60 teams throughout New Jersey, and PGA HOPE, the flagship military program that introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities. For more information, visit www.njgolffoundation.com.
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