Club Membership Implements Birdie/Eagle Board Supporting Rumson CC Member and PGA TOUR Breakout Star Chris Gotterup; Donates More Than $22,000 to Support NJ Golf Foundation Programs
Photo: Chris Hunt, Executive Director, NJ Golf Foundation and Kelly LaDow, Head PGA Golf Professional, Rumson Country Club (Photo Credit NJGF)
Bedminster, N.J. – The New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF), the (501c3) charitable arm of the New Jersey Section, PGA of America (NJPGA), today announced that Rumson Country Club was recognized as the 2025 NJGF “Club of the Year.” Led by Board Member and former NJPGA Jr. Tour Member, Jack Skirkanich and Head PGA Professional, Kelly LaDow, the leadership and membership of Rumson Country Club was recognized for their generous contributions to the NJ Golf Foundation.
Rumson CC established a Member Birdie Board, raising $22,000 in support of every birdie and eagle made by Rumson CC Member and PGA TOUR breakout star, Chris Gotterup during the 2025 PGA TOUR season. Gotterup grew up participating in the NJPGA Jr. Tour before starring at Rutgers University where he was named the 2019/2020 Big Ten Player of the Year. Currently the 11th ranked golfer in the world, according to the Official World Golf Ranking, Gotterup captured the Genesis Scottish Open and had four Top 10’s in 2025 and he is off to a terrific start in 2026 highlighted by two PGA TOUR Victories, and a T-24 in his first-ever Masters.
The NJ Golf Foundation was created in 2004 with a mission 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 offers a dynamic line-up of programming where individuals from all backgrounds can experience the game of golf in a welcoming environment.
“We thank the leadership and membership at Rumson Country Club for their commitment to the NJ Golf Foundation,” said Chris Hunt, Executive Director, NJ Golf Foundation. “As the NJ Golf Foundation 2025 Club of the Year, Rumson CC’s support of Chris Gotterup reflects the power of the game to unite a community, while turning every birdie/eagle into meaningful impact.”
Special thanks to 2025 NJ Golf Foundation Club of The Year Finalists – Forest Hill Field Club; Hamilton Farm Golf Club; Stanton Ridge Golf & Country Club and Glen Ridge Country Club – for their support of annual programming and special events.
Previous NJ Golf Foundation “Club of The Year” Honorees
2024 – Manasquan River GC
2023 – North Jersey CC
2022 – Cherry Valley CC
2021 – Pine Barrens GC
2020 – Panther Valley G&CC
2019 – Upper Montclair CC
2018 – Fiddler’s Elbow CC
2017 – Fiddler’s Elbow CC
2016 – Cherry Valley CC
2015 – Springdale GC
2014 – Upper Montclair CC
2013 – Plainfield CC
2012 – Plainfield CC
2011 – Plainfield CC
2010 – Trump National GC – Bedminster
2009 – Trump National GC – Bedminster
2008 – Montclair GC
2007 – Spring Brook CC
2006 – Rockaway River CC
2005 – Panther Valley G&CC
2004 – Cherry Valley CC
For more information about the New Jersey Golf Foundation, including programs and special events, please 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 90 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.
