13 and Under Team Captures Title at Clearbrook Golf Course and Advances to the 2022 National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Regional Championship at Kingsmill Resort (Williamsburg, Va.)
Bedminster, N.J. The New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF), the charitable arm of the New Jersey Section, PGA of America (NJPGA) hosted the 2022 National Car Rental PGA Jr. League New Jersey Section Championship presented by RWJBarnabas Health on Thursday, August 11th at Clearbrook Golf Course in Monroe Township. More than 150 kids representing teams throughout the state competed for the opportunity to advance to the 2022 National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Regional Championship at Kingsmill Resort (Williamsburg, Va.) – Sept. 2-4, 2022.
Led by PGA Professional and Team Captain, Mark Thornewell, Haworth Country Club (Haworth, NJ) captured both the 13-and-under Division and the 17-and-under Division. The 13-and-under team, which includes Olivia Lee; Aiden So; Justin Peck; CJ Antifonario; Roger Rice; Jason Mack; Aaron Koo and Savannah Lavert, earned a spot in the
Region 3 Championship at Kingsmill Resort. The 17-and-under Championship team consisted of Lucas Hofmeister, John Souva, Padraig Leahy, Isabella Crespo, Inha Jun and Aubrey Lee.
Through PGA Jr. League, kids have a unique opportunity to stay active, while learning and enjoying the game of golf in a fun and social environment on co-ed teams alongside their friends, wearing numbered jerseys – under the direction of PGA and LPGA Professionals. Following recreational play in the spring and summer, hundreds of 13U All-Star teams (boys and girls ages 10-13) and 17U All-Star teams (boys and girls ages 14-17), are formed in each league to compete in the National Car Rental PGA Jr. League Championship Season.
“The New Jersey Golf Foundation delivers programming that aligns with our mission of supporting community-based initiatives that keep kids active, and builds healthier communities,” said Justin Edelman, Senior Vice President Corporate Partnerships, RWJBarnabas Health. “The opportunity for kids to compete in a team format golf event while playing alongside friends is a great alternative to individual stroke play tournaments, and we are thrilled to support the growth of PGA Jr. League in New Jersey.”
More than 1,200 boys and girls (13-and-under) participated in New Jersey PGA Jr. League presented by RWJBarnabas Health this season, while competing on 80+ teams representing public facilities, municipal courses, private clubs and First Tee chapters. To complement the under 13 age group, The NJGF hosts a league for 17-and-under boys and girls, with 100 kids participating.
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. Through a wide range of programming, the NJGF champions a commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) with the goal of evolving the composition of the game of golf to better reflect the broad array of differences in our society at large.
For more information on the New Jersey Golf Foundation visit www.njgolffoundation.org.
About The New Jersey Golf Foundation
Founded in 2004, the New Jersey Golf Foundation is a 501(c)(3) and the charitable arm of the New Jersey Section, PGA of America. Through a wide range of programming, the NJGF champions a commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I) with the goal of evolving the composition of the game of golf to better reflect the broad array of differences in our society at large. With a focus on 3 core pillars (youth, military, special needs), the NJGF’s mission is to positively impact 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 in a welcoming environment. Signature programs include, Golf In Schools, which is run annually at more than 200 schools, impacting more than 120,000 boys and girls (K-8); PGA Jr. League featuring more than 80 teams and 1300 kids under the age of 13 throughout New Jersey; Special Olympics New Jersey Golf and programming for individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities and PGA HOPE, the flagship military program that introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities. For more information, visit www.njgolffoundation.org.
