A Night to Celebrate Golf in the Garden State
SUMMIT, N.J. – Members of New Jersey’s golf community gathered Thursday evening at Canoe Brook Country Club for the annual NJPGA/NJ Golf Celebration of Golf, a night dedicated to honoring the individuals and clubs who represent the very best of the game across the Garden State.
The annual event recognized the NJPGA Award Winners, the New Jersey Golf Players of the Year presented by Donnelly Industries, the Caddie Scholarship Foundation Club of the Year, the Honey Gantner Award recipient, the NJPGA Hall of Fame inductee and the Distinguished Service Award.
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New Jersey Golf proudly announced its 2025 Players of the Year presented by Donnelly Industries, recognizing the top performers for their excellence throughout the season.
For the third consecutive year, Troy Vannucci captured NJ Golf’s top men’s honor—becoming the first player to win the Robert Housen Player of the Year Award three times since its inception in 2002. His 2025 season included a runner-up finish at the 124th New Jersey Amateur Championship, a top-10 at the New Jersey Open, and multiple victories across regional events.
Rutgers University standout Grace Lu earned her first Women’s Player of the Year award after a season defined by consistency and composure.
Nick Desai’s strong season included a runner-up finish at the New Jersey Senior Amateur, top-three finishes at regional majors, and a victory at the Hochster Memorial.
In the inaugural year of the award, Henry Bolster made history as the first Junior Boys’ Player of the Year, highlighted by wins at both the W.Y. Dear Junior Championship and the New Jersey Four-Ball Championship.
In a rare tie, Megan Meng, Vaidehi Sha, and Sarah Shao were honored for outstanding performances across major state championships in 2025 and awarded the Junior Girls’ Player of the Year.
The Distinguished Service Award, one of New Jersey Golf’s most prestigious honors, was presented to Brigid Shanley Lamb for her decades of dedication and leadership at every level of the game. A past president of the Women’s Metropolitan Golf Association and former USGA Executive Committee member, Lamb has spent her career expanding opportunities for women and juniors in golf, officiating at championships such as the U.S. Women’s Open and The Masters.
“I love the game. I have worked hard for the game, but I never expected to have such wonderful recognition,” Lamb said. “From the beginning, my father taught me that giving back to the game is just as important as playing it.”
Also recognized was longtime volunteer Dan Juffey, the 2025 Honey Gantner Award recipient, honoring exemplary service and commitment to New Jersey Golf. Known for his welcoming smile and tireless presence at events across the state, Juffey has volunteered since 2013 and become one of the most familiar faces at New Jersey Golf championships.
“I am just totally flabbergasted beyond belief,” said Juffey. “It’s always great when the volunteers get recognition. We’re all a family, all very proud of what we do.”
The New Jersey Golf Caddie Scholarship Foundation honored Canoe Brook Country Club as the 2025 Club of the Year and inducted the club into the Foundation’s Diamond Society. Since 1997, Canoe Brook’s membership has contributed more than $1 million to the Foundation, helping provide scholarships to 86 of its caddies.
A highlight of the evening was the induction of Scott Paris into the New Jersey PGA Hall of Fame.
Paris began his tenure in the New Jersey Section at Plainfield Country Club in 1997, where he served as Head Professional, Director of Golf, and later General Manager/COO. Over his distinguished career, Paris served on the NJPGA Board of Directors and as Section President from 2015–2016.
He is a multi-time NJPGA award recipient—recognized as Merchandiser of the Year (2004), Bill Strausbaugh Award winner (2009), and Golf Professional of the Year (2013, 2017). Nationally, he was honored by the PGA of America as both the 2013 National Merchandiser of the Year and 2025 National Golf Professional of the Year.
Paris’s playing record is equally impressive, with victories in the Pro-Pro Championship (2006, 2007) and Pro-Assistant Championship (2010), along with qualifications for the Senior PGA Professional Championship (2019, 2020, 2025) and the U.S. Senior Open (2019).
Mike Attara, founder and president of Spirit Golf Management, was named the 2025 NJPGA Golf Professional of the Year—the highest honor a PGA Professional can receive within the Section.
A PGA member for more than 35 years, Attara is celebrated for his leadership, integrity, and dedication to growing the game. Since founding Spirit Golf in 2009, he has mentored countless professionals and championed community engagement through his work with the New Jersey Golf Foundation, where he currently serves as president.
The New Jersey PGA Section also honored the following 2025 Special Award Winners, celebrating excellence in leadership, instruction, merchandising, player development, and service:
- Golf Professional of the Year – Mike Attara, Spirit Golf Management
- Assistant Golf Professional of the Year – Chris Whalen, Echo Lake Country Club
- Teacher & Coach of the Year – Matt Wilson, Baltusrol Golf Club
- Club of the Year – Canoe Brook Country Club, Summit, N.J.
- Bill Strausbaugh Award – Jason Fiore, Montammy Golf Club
- Professional Development Award – Joe Doughty, PGA of America Career Services
- Merchandiser of the Year (Private) – Mickie Gallagher III, Trump National Golf Club – Bedminster
- Merchandiser of the Year (Public) – Gabe Rickards, Skyway Golf Course
- Player Development Award – Tommy Lee, D1 Golf Academy
- Youth Player Development Award – Dave Vazquez, Canoe Brook Country Club
- Patriot Award – Ron Reed, High Bridge Hills Golf Club
- Salesperson of the Year – Shannon Pfundheller, Dunning / Greg Norman Collection
- Deacon Palmer Award – Ed Koch, Life Member
NJPGA Player Awards
- Player of the Year – Danny Harcourt
- Assistant Player of the Year – Edmund Broderick
- Senior Player of the Year – Brian Gaffney
The 2025 Celebration of Golf once again showcased the strength, unity, and passion of New Jersey’s golf community. From rising stars and seasoned professionals to selfless volunteers and generous clubs, the evening was a true reflection of the spirit of the game in the Garden State.
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