Bedminster, N.J – The New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF), the charitable arm of the New Jersey Section, PGA of America (NJPGA), today announced former PGA TOUR player, Jason Gore, currently the PGA TOUR’s Senior Vice President, Player Advisor and Meg Whan, spouse of Mike Whan, Chief Executive Officer of the United States Golf Association, as new additions to its Board of Trustees. Concurrently, New York Yankees’ Anthony Volpe, one of the top prospects in all of baseball, and a passionate NJGF supporter, will serve on the new NJGF Advisory Council. Gore, Whan and Volpe will all serve 3-year terms.
Gore captured wins on both the PGA TOUR and Korn Ferry Tour during a two-decade playing career. His seven wins on the Korn Ferry Tour are the most in that circuit’s history. In 2005, he won three times on the Korn Ferry Tour, captured the PGA TOUR’s 84 Lumber Classic, and played in the final group of the U.S. Open. He also was a member of Pepperdine’s NCAA title team in 1997 and represented the United States in that year’s Walker Cup. Gore assists the Commissioner and the TOUR’s senior leadership in developing long-range, player-focused strategies that align with the unique needs of the TOUR’s players.
After moving to New Jersey in 2021 and learning about the positive impact of the NJGF programming, Whan is excited to immerse herself as a volunteer, while helping to drive forward the Foundation’s mission of impacting lives and communities through the game of golf. Whan enjoyed a front row seat while supporting the LPGA’s philanthropic initiatives while husband Mike served as Commissioner of the LPGA TOUR from 2010 – 2021.
“I love that the core pillars of the NJGF are youth, military and special needs, all while focusing on growing diversity, equality and inclusion in the game,” said Whan. “I’ve learned how golf builds self-confidence, teaches discipline and emphasizes honesty and respect for others, and I am looking forward to becoming more involved in the NJGF to achieve these goals.”
Volpe, a native of Watchung, New Jersey, was a 1st round draft pick of the New York Yankees in 2019. In 2022, Volpe started the season with the Double-A Somerset Patriots, represented the American League at the All-Star Future Game, and was promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, the Yankees Triple-A affiliate in September. A passionate golfer in the off-season, Volpe has been a supporter of NJGF events and programming and will continue to provide insight in his new role on the Advisory Council.
“With Jason and Meg we get incredible experience, fresh perspective, and an unrelenting passion to support our mission,” said Chris Hunt, Executive Director, NJGF. “It’s also refreshing to see Anthony, one of the top prospects in all of baseball recognize the positive impact we make on diverse populations and want to be a part of it.”
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. In 2022, The Inspiration Golf Range and activity center opened. The multi-purpose facility – which is now open to the public – serves as the homesite for the NJGF’s line-up of dynamic golf programming.
Signature NJGF programs include Golf In Schools, which is run annually at more than 200 schools across New Jersey, impacting more than 120,000 boys and girls (K-8); PGA Junior League, which features more than 80 teams and 1,300 kids under the age of 13 throughout New Jersey; Special Olympics New Jersey Golf and PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), a rehabilitative golf program for military Veterans that enhances their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being.
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 Junior 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.
