Bedminster, N.J., – The New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF), the charitable arm of the New Jersey Section, PGA of America (NJPGA), announced Shannon Flatt (Ho-Ho-Kus) and Isaiah Williams (Flemington) as the 2023 recipients of the prestigious Peter A. Famiano Memorial Scholarship. Shannon and Isaiah were recognized at the 15th Annual New Jersey Golf Foundation Peter A. Famiano Memorial Pro-Am, on June 16th at Trump National Golf Club, in Bedminster, N.J.
Peter Famiano was the Head Golf Professional at Crestmont Country Club for over 35 years. In his honor, the NJGF created the Peter A. Famiano Memorial Scholarship, which recognizes worthy New Jersey junior golfers for their professionalism, integrity, volunteerism, and willingness to help others. The $2,500 annual scholarship is open to college students of any class year, provided they continue to meet the standards set forth by the NJGF Scholarship Committee. The Committee reviews all applications using the following criteria: scholarship achievement, qualities of character and leadership, financial need, volunteer history and future in golf.
Shannon Flatt (Ho-Ho-Kus) and Isaiah Williams (Flemington) Awarded $2,500 Annual Scholarship
“Peter Famiano was always committed to helping others, and it’s rewarding for the NJGF to support the continuing education of deserving candidates,” said Chris Hunt, Executive Director, New Jersey Golf Foundation. “Shannon and Isaiah are student-athletes that have distinguished themselves in the classroom, on the golf course, and in the community, and I know Peter would be super proud.”
A 2021 graduate of Northern Highlands Regional High School, Flatt is currently attending FDU Florham where she is a two-sport NCAA Division III student-athlete. She was the 2022 FDU Florham Women’s Golf team rookie of the year and is also a member of the Women’s Field Hockey team. With a long history of volunteering, Flatt is passionate about supporting organizations for individuals with special needs. Additionally, after losing her mom to breast cancer in 2022, Flatt is an advocate for breast cancer education and awareness, and as Vice President of Recruitment & Membership for her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, she is involved with programs and events to help battle this terrible disease.
A member of the National Honor Society, Williams served as captain of the Hunterdon Central Regional HS Varsity Golf team, which was the NJ.com 2023 Boys golf team of the year. Williams was inspired to pick up a golf club at the age of 3-years old after watching Tiger Woods play. The valuable lessons of honesty, integrity and honor learned over the years on the golf course, has helped Isaiah better understand the true meaning of leadership and sportsmanship, above the “winning at all costs” mentality. Williams will be attending Seton Hall University in the fall where he will compete on the NCAA Division I Men’s Golf team. Committed to volunteerism, Williams served as a Red Devil Ambassador, a program at Hunterdon Central HS where members help new students find their way around campus, while helping them feel comfortable as they transition to a new school.
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.
