Primary Beneficiary is “Golf In Schools” Program that Impacts More than 110,000 Boys & Girls at 200+ Schools in New Jersey; Dean T. Criares Honored with Chairmanâ€s Award

 PISCATAWAY, N.J., September 6, 2013…The New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF), the charitable arm of the New Jersey Section, PGA of America (NJPGA), today announced that the 7^th Annual New Jersey Golf Foundation Golf Classic, the signature event on the Foundationâ€s calendar, raised more than $218,000 to support youth golf programming throughout the Garden State. The NJGF Golf Classic, which took place at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield Township, N.J., on Monday, August 5, 2013, hosted nearly 300 participants who came together in support of the Foundationâ€s breadth of programs. Additionally, Dean T. Criares, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Drew University and a partner at Sound Harbor Partners, was presented with The Chairmanâ€s Award — given annually to an individual who works tirelessly behind the scenes to support the NJGFâ€s programs and initiatives.

The NJGF, which was created to positively impact lives and communities through the game of golf, offers dynamic programs where individuals from all backgrounds, including youth, special needs, military and women, can experience the game of golf in a welcoming environment. The primary beneficiary of the August 5 event is “Golf In Schools,” an initiative that introduces the game of golf to children by incorporating the sport into the physical education curriculum at elementary and middle schools, under the guidance of PGA Professionals. Backed by the generous contributions from NJGF supporters, an astounding 110,000 children (K-8^th grade) at more than 200 schools participate in the program, which continues to grow every year throughout New Jersey. Additional beneficiaries include Boys & Girls Clubs of America, YMCA programs, Special Olympics and educational scholarships.

“I want to recognize all of our friends, partners and supporters for setting a new standard and making the 7^th Annual NJGF Golf Classic the most memorable since inception,” said Chris Hunt, Executive Director, New Jersey Golf Foundation. “The values learned though golf are immeasurable and the NJGF will continue to work tirelessly to support youth golf programming throughout the state, while ensuring that boys and girls from all backgrounds have an opportunity to experience the great game.”

 NJGF Golf Classic Raises $218,000 to Support Youth Golf Programs…Add One

Added Hunt, “With more than 110,000 boys and girls participating in golf through their physical education classes, New Jerseyâ€s “Golf In Schools” program is the most advanced in the country. Thanks to the generous contributions from so many individuals and corporations, we are that much closer to reaching our goal of introducing the game to every child in New Jersey.”

 For more information on the New Jersey Golf Foundation, please visit www.njgolffoundation.com or call 732-465-1212.

 About The New Jersey Golf Foundation

The New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF) was created by the NJPGA in 2004 to positively impact lives and communities through the game of golf. The NJGF is committed to creating and offering programs where individuals from all backgrounds have an opportunity to access and experience the game. The NJGF “Golf In Schools” Program is run annually at more than 200 schools, impacting more than 110,000 boys and girls (K-8) throughout New Jersey. For more information, visit www.njgolffoundation.com.

The post New Jersey Golf Foundation Golf Classic Raises Record Setting $218,000 to Benefit Youth Golf Programming Throughout Garden State first appeared on River View Observer.

July 8th eventâ€s proceeds to benefit HCCC students and the Collegeâ€s growth and development.

JERSEY CITY, N.J. / June 19, 2013 — The Hudson County Community College Foundation invites area residents and businesses to participate in its Tenth Annual Golf Outing on Monday, July 8, 2013. The event will be held at Forest Hill Field Club in Bloomfield, NJ, and will include: check-in from 8:00 – 8:45 a.m.; continental breakfast from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m.; shotgun start at 9:30 a.m. sharp (refreshments will be served on the course); and cocktails, luncheon and awards at 2:00 p.m.

“Cutbacks in funding and financial aid are taking their toll on our students and the College,” said HCCC Vice President for Development Joseph Sansone, who noted that more than three-fourths of the Collegeâ€s students receive financial assistance of some sort.

Mr. Sansone indicated that the Annual Golf Outing — one of four major fundraisers sponsored by the Foundation — has activities for golfers and non-golfers. A limited number of tickets are available.

Sponsorship and donor opportunities include: Lunch Guest, $100; Lunch and Pool Guest, $125; Hole Sponsor, $400; Individual Golfer, $500; Cigar Sponsor, $500; Hole Sponsor with Foursome, $2,000; Beverage Cart Sponsor with Foursome, $3,500; Golf Cart Sponsor with Foursome, $3,500; Breakfast Sponsor with Foursome, $3,500; Lunch Sponsor with Foursome, $3,500; Awards Sponsor with Foursome, $4,000; and Tournament Sponsor with Foursome, $6,000.

Hudson County Community College Foundation is a nonprofit 501 (c) 3 corporation giving tax-exempt status to contributors. The Foundation generates financial support to benefit deserving HCCC students by providing them with scholarships. Additionally, the Foundation provides seed money for the Collegeâ€s physical expansion and for new programs and faculty development.

Since the Foundation was established in 1997, it has provided $1.5 million in scholarships to more than 1,000 students. In addition to the Annual Golf Outing, the Foundationâ€s Board of Directors also organize and hold the following fundraisers: Night at the Races in October, a family-oriented event; the HCCC Employees†Scholarship Luncheon in November, where faculty and staff support the Foundation through pledged donations; and the Holiday Scholarship Extravaganza in December, the largest and most festive of all of the Foundationâ€s fundraising efforts.

Complete information on the July 8th Golf Outing, including registration and dress code details may be obtained by phoning the Collegeâ€s Office for Development at 201-360-4006 or emailing Mr. Sansone at jsansone@hccc.edu.

# # #

The post Hudson County Community College Foundation to Hold Tenth Annual Golf Outing Fundraiser first appeared on River View Observer.

 In 2005, Mickelson and his wife, Amy partnered with ExxonMobil to develop a hands-on professional development program for third-through fifth-grade teachers. At the Academy, the teachers spend five, all-expense-paid days learning new ways to teach math and science to engage students in these critical subjects at an early age.                                 

Friday, July 22, 2011 1:00 p.m.
Liberty Science Center
                                    Williams Science Theater

222 Jersey City Blvd,
Jersey City, N.J. 07355

The need to develop more students interested in pursuing careers in math and science is important to our nation’s competitiveness and a key concern of the Mickelsons. 

 The Academy is designed to encourage and build confidence in teachers with math and science so that they can return to their classroom and inspire their students in these critical subjects.

 About ExxonMobil Foundation

ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of the Exxon Mobil Corporation in the United States. The Foundation and the Corporation engage in a range of philanthropic activities that advance education, health and science in the communities where ExxonMobil has significant operations. In the United States, ExxonMobil supports initiatives to improve math and science education at the K-12 and higher education levels.

 Globally, ExxonMobil provides funding to improve basic education, promote women as catalysts for economic development, and combat malaria and other infectious diseases in developing countries. In 2010, together with its employees and retirees, Exxon Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM), its divisions and affiliates, and ExxonMobil Foundation provided $237 million in contributions worldwide, of which $110 million was dedicated to education. Additional information on ExxonMobil’s community partnerships and contributions programs is available at www.exxonmobil.com/community.

 Phil and Amy Mickelson Foundation

Phil and his wife, Amy, teamed up with the ExxonMobil Foundation to develop a new and innovative program to improve science and math education in elementary schools. The program will offer advanced training in science and mathematics instruction for elementary school teachers chosen from the communities around the country where Mickelson will be playing tournaments. Web site: www.PhilMickelson.com.

 About NSTA

The Arlington, VA-based National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), www.nsta.org, is the largest professional organization in the world promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA’s current membership includes more than 60,000 science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in science education.

Math Solutions

Math Solutions, founded in 1984, has provided a wide range of professional development services and resource materials to more than 500 districts, in 47 states, helping more than 100,000 teachers and administrators across the country. Web site: www.mathsolutions.com.

The post PGA Golfer Phil Mickelson to Make Appearance at 2011 Mickelson ExxonMobil Teachers Academy first appeared on River View Observer.

  Hitting from the rough is something every golfer does, but hardly any golfer does correctly. As the great Bobby Jones pointed out decades ago, the golfer who scores in the 90â€s or even 100, usually loses about ten strokes per round because of his failure to recover as well as he could.  And yet, every golfer has the ability within himself to hit from the rough successfully, even if they do not realize it.  The main fault lies in their approach to the shot.  Typically, they either try to do too much with a bad situation, or they make a poor decision when choosing a club.  The rule of thumb when hitting from the rough is “you can only do as much with a shot as your lie dictates.”

Accordingly, there are certain guidelines to heed that will dramatically improve your results from the rough.  When you are embedded in a bad lie in thick rough, the grass actually interferes with the ball contacting the clubface.  The rough tends to grab the clubface and shut it down.  Therefore, a more lofted club should always be your choice.  This ensures better contact between the club and the ball, and increases your likelihood of making a shot that can get you back into the match.

When executing a shot from a poor lie in deep rough, it is also essential to control the clubface.  Choking down on your club will help ensure both maximum clubface control, and maximum feel throughout the shot.

Letâ€s face it!  Getting the ball back into play is the main goal when hitting from the rough.  That is why you should definitely avoid having to play two consecutive shots from the rough.  On the golf course, trouble breeds more trouble, unless you deal with the first recovery shot with a cool head.  Being realistic with what you can do with a certain shot, and just getting the ball back into the fairway quickly, will greatly decrease your scores.

Now, in those cases where the golfer does get a lie in the rough that is, indeed, playable, the full swing remains a viable option.  However, there are minor changes to your swing that first need to be taken into consideration.  That change comes in club selection, and a slight alteration in the swing plane.  Since the grass interferes with the clubface and the ball, the shot will have less spin and travel farther  –  mostly from the added roll of the ball.  Therefore, using one club less (going from a 7 iron to an 8 iron) is smart play.  This will compensate for the ball coming out “hot” and running the extra distance.

The golfer should also seek to adapt his swing plane when hitting from the rough.  The approriate swing plane for these shots should be more shallow, and not as steep as usual.  To accomplish this, employ less wrist action, and feel as if your stroke will “sweep” the ball from the rough.  The club should flatten out at the bottom of the swing, and continue onward into the follow through.  This approach will help to make consistent contact from such lies, and avoid the classic “flyer” shot out of the rough.

Remember, never try to do more from the rough than the lie dictates.  It may require you to bite the bullet and lay up with a wedge to the fairway.  But that will save you strokes in the long run.  If the lie does allow you to hit a full shot, “sweep” the ball from the rough with less club than you normally would hit.  Executing these shots from the rough in the manner that I have outlined, will provide you with better results and lower scores.  And, by applying my tips to your game, you too, will be on your way to playing like a pro.

The post GOLF TIPS first appeared on River View Observer.