Scott Kmiec Named 2015 New Jersey Golf
Distinguished Service Award Recipient
Longtime NJPGA Executive Director Recognized for Commitment to Elevating the Game of Golf in NJ; Kmiec to be Honored at Celebration of Golf Dinner, October 22nd
PISCATAWAY, N.J., October 5, 2015…The New Jersey Section of the PGA of America (NJPGA), in collaboration with the New Jersey State Golf Association (NJSGA), today announced that Scott Kmiec, longtime Executive Director of the NJPGA and current Senior Director of PGA REACH – the PGA of America’s Charitable Foundation – has been named the 2015 New Jersey Golf Distinguished Service Award Winner.
The Distinguished Service Award is presented annually to an individual for their selfless service and contributions to the game of golf in New Jersey, consistent with the honor, values and traditions of the game. Kmiec, who now works out of the PGA of America’s Corporate Headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., will be honored at the 12th Annual NJPGA/NJSGA Celebration of Golf Dinner on Thursday, October 22 at Crestmont Country Club in West Orange, N.J.
A graduate of Rutgers University and former baseball captain for the Scarlet Knights, Kmiec started with the NJPGA as a collegiate intern in January of 1995. In just two short years, he was promoted to the role of Executive Director, in December of 1997. During his 16-year stint as Section ED, Kmiec was responsible for managing the daily activities of the Section’s nearly 500 PGA Professionals, operating more than 100 member-based tournaments, and elevating the Association’s junior golf programs, among other responsibilities. One of the highlights of Kmiec’s tenure was the creation of the New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF), the charitable arm of the NJPGA Section, which was established in 2004 with a mission to positively impact lives and communities through the game of golf.
Kmiec worked very closely with current NJGF Executive Director, Chris Hunt, and played an integral role in the growth of programming for youth, Military Veterans and individuals with special needs. Today, the NJGF offers golf programming where individuals from all backgrounds have an opportunity to experience the game in a welcoming environment. The NJGF’s focused programming is highlighted by Golf In Schools, PGA Junior League, Boys & Girls Clubs, Special Olympics NJ, Els For Autism, and PGA HOPE – Helping Our Patriots Everywhere. Each program is operated under the guidance of NJPGA Professionals, while impacting more than 120,000 boys and girls, Military Veterans and individuals with special needs in New Jersey each year.
Further, Kmiec was at the helm when the NJPGA Section was honored as the National Herb Graffis Award winner for 2012, which is presented annually to a PGA Section that shows extraordinary and exemplary contributions in player development and growth of the game programming. The NJPGA was recently named the 2015 National Herb Graffis Award winner, capturing the prestigious award for the 2nd time in four years.
In addition to Kmiec’s Distinguished Service Award, the Celebration of Golf Dinner on Thursday, October 22 will serve to recognize special award winners throughout New Jersey in 2015, encompassing the following categories:
- NJPGA Special Award Winners
- NJSGA Honey Gantner Award Winner
- NJPGA and NJSGA Players of the Year
- NJPGA Club of the Year
- NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Club of the Year
- NJPGA Golf Professional of the Year
- NJPGA Hall of Fame Inductees
For more information on the award winners or the Celebration of Golf Dinner, please visit http://newjersey.pga.com/.
NJPGA
Since its founding in 1916, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. The NJPGA is one of 41 geographic sections throughout the country and has been in operation since 1925. In 2012 and 2015, the NJPGA was the recipient of the Herb Graffis Award, presented annually to a PGA Section that shows extraordinary or exemplary contributions in player development and growth of the game programming. For more information on the NJPGA please visithttp://newjersey.pga.com/.
NJSGA
In accordance with the mission statement, the New Jersey State Golf Association, a non-profit organization of member clubs and courses, is dedicated to serving golf in New Jersey. Founded in 1900, the NJSGA was formed for the purpose of promoting and conserving the true spirit of the game throughout the state. Now in its 115th year, the NJSGA has continued to grow and serves more than 275 clubs, courses and organizations representing more than 100,000 golfers throughout the state. It conducts 24 men’s and women’s tournaments, offers handicapping service (GHIN), has donated more than $10 million through its Caddie Scholarship Foundation and promotes the growth of golf through its Youth Foundation. For more information, please visit www.NJSGA.org.
