New Jersey Golf Hall of Fame Spotlight: Steve Foehl

Steve Foehl, former NJ Golf Executive Director pictured on the right

KENILWORTH, N.J. - Steve Foehl has been a fixture of New Jersey Golf for decades. Serving as Executive Director from 1989 through 2014, he spearheaded an era of unprecedented progress and growth for the organization.

Now serving as a consultant for NJ Golf, Foehl has had a plentiful career in golf administration. A fine amateur golfer in his own right, Foehl played collegiate golf at Colby College in Maine, and then went on to a teaching position in Rumson following graduation. Discovering that teaching wouldn’t be his final career move, Foehl shifted his focus to sports. Melding his passion for golf together with a desire for a career in golf administration, Foehl landed at the United States Golf Association (USGA), where he'd spend five years in the regional affairs department. It was there that he felt like he was in the right field - thanks to the right people.

“I was very fortunate that when I worked at the USGA, I had some wonderful mentors, including former Executive Directors P.J. Boatwright and Frank Hannigan, former USGA President Grant Spaeth and also Tom Meeks. They taught me so much, ranging from the Rules of Golf, how to set up a golf course, how to run a tournament and many other things. It was a life changing experience because I learned so much.”

After his five-year stint at the USGA, Foehl made a brief pitstop in the business realm working with his brother-in-law before heading to NJ Golf as the newly tabbed Executive Director.  

During his tenure at NJ Golf, Foehl played a key role in achieving groundbreaking advancements across multiple areas. The organization saw significant growth, highlighted by an increase in member clubs, individual GHIN handicaps, and caddie scholarships. In his first season leading the organization, the championship schedule consisted of 12 events conducted over 29 days. Over time, Foehl committed to making the player experience exceptional. That process involved doubling the number of playing opportunities in various ways – championships, Member Golf Days, USGA qualifiers and more. At the close of his career in 2014, the schedule included 24 championships encompassing more than 60 days, along with qualifiers for six USGA championships.

"I tried to upgrade the championships and follow what I learned at the USGA Championships,” mentioned Foehl. " I think every accomplished player strives to play in USGA Championships. 25 years is a long time, and it didn't all happen at once and I didn't get there alone. I had some great mentors and a really good team.”

Amidst all the championship changes, one of the most significant milestones was the merger with the New Jersey Women’s Committee in 2008. With that development, NJ Golf took over the women’s championships, a monumental moment for NJ Golf members.  

“To me, that was a big milestone,” Foehl exclaimed.

Although a good staff in tow, Foehl also built a great volunteer base as well as an internship program when the P.J. Boatwright Internship kick started in 1991.  

"We always had a great group of volunteers and people that were really dedicated to helping both the members of the board, the tournament committee, the Course Rating Committee the Caddie Scholarship Committee,” Foehl added. “You don't get anywhere without great volunteers - at any association.”

While at the helm, Foehl also made strides on the technological side. In 1998, Foehl helped put NJ Golf on the internet with the creation of its first website. At a time when the internet began to boom, the website was an integral part of helping move the organization forward. Throughout the years, the website evolved into a vital resource for schedule information, entries, key association news, engaging stories, results, and more.

“In the old days we only took entries by mail or walk in and we sent out pairings and starting times via mail. On the days we cut entries off at 5 o'clock, I would park my car in the back and I’d lock the door so if somebody came and thought they could submit a late entry, they couldn’t get to me,” joked Foehl.  

Foehl also guided the organization in launching its first magazine in 2004. The magazine made waves across the state, starting as a short newsletter, evolving into a longer newspaper-like version and eventually to a full print copy in 2004. A helpful way to share unique stories and news, the magazine now has been a staple of the organization for over two decades.  

“I just felt we needed to communicate better with our members and get some information out there to try to get people to understand who we are and what we were doing,” said Foehl.

For his efforts as not only Executive Director but also in the world of golf, Foehl received several accolades. In 2004 he received the NJ Golf Course Owners Association Traditions Award, in 2007, the USGA awarded Foehl with the Ike Grainger Award, which recognizes 25 years of service as a volunteer committee member for the USGA. In 2016, he earned the IAGA Distinguished Service Award, was also named to the Star Ledger’s 12 Driving Forces in Golf as well as New Jersey Golf Magazine “10 Most Influential People in Golf”.  

Along the way, Foehl carved out an impressive playing career. He played on the 1976 New Jersey Compher Cup team, the same year he qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship. He was also a 45-year member of Rumson Country Club, where he won multiple club championships.

As for the state of golf, it’s only continued to boom and the organization has reaped the benefits of that. Thanks to Foehl and his leadership, the organization has made leaps and bounds. After handing over the reins to Kevin Purcell, Foehl remains involved as a consultant, providing advice and guidance to help advance NJ Golf. He will be inducted into the NJ Golf Hall of Fame on Tuesday, April 29 at Essex County Country Club. To purchase tickets for the event, click here.

“I'm extremely proud and honored,” Foehl expressed. “I’ve received other awards and recognition, but nothing like this. I’m honored to know that my picture will be up on the wall with the great players and other people that have moved the game along in New Jersey.”