NJ Golf Announces 2025 Players of the Year Presented by Donnelly Industries

KENILWORTH, N.J.  – New Jersey Golf is proud to announce its 2025 Players of the Year presented by Donnelly Industries, recognizing the top performers from across the Garden State for their outstanding accomplishments throughout the season.

This year’s honorees include Troy Vannucci (Little Mill Country Club) as the Robert Housen Men's Player of the Year, Grace Lu (Plainfield Country Club) as the Women’s Player of the Year, Nick Desai (Baltusrol Golf Club) as the Senior Player of the Year, Henry Bolster (Canoe Brook Country Club) as the inaugural Junior Boys Player of the Year, and a trio of co-winners — Megan Meng (Mountain View Golf Club), Vaidehi Shah (NJSGA E-Club), and Sarah Shao (New Jersey National Golf Club) — as Junior Girls Co-Players of the Year.

Robert Housen Men's Player of the Year – Troy Vannucci, Little Mill Country Club

For the third consecutive year, Troy Vannucci has 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.

Vannucci’s 2025 campaign included a runner-up finish at the 124th New Jersey Amateur Championship at Essex County Country Club, a top-10 finish at the 105th New Jersey Open Championship at Hamilton Farm Golf Club, and victories at the GAP Mid-Amateur Championship, the Bergen County Amateur, and the Nassau Invitational. He also advanced to the Round of 16 at the 42nd U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship.

“It’s pretty special,” said Vannucci. “With the rich history of the NJSGA, to be part of it in this way really means a lot. All the hard work that goes into it — the hours no one really sees — it’s something I’ll look back on and be proud of.”

Women’s Player of the Year – Grace Lu, Plainfield Country Club

Rutgers University standout Grace Lu earns her first NJ Golf Women’s Player of the Year award after a season marked by consistency and poise. Lu reached the quarterfinals of the 100th New Jersey Women’s Amateur Championship at Hackensack Golf Club, placed fourth in the 3rd New Jersey Women’s Open at The Bedens Brook Club, and tied for third as the low amateur in the WMGA/Metropolitan PGA Women's Open.

Currently a redshirt senior at Rutgers, Lu has balanced collegiate competition and academics while proudly representing her home state.

“It’s really cool to represent New Jersey on the collegiate level,” Lu said. “It’s always special to travel with my teammates while representing where I’m from. To join the list of past Women’s Players of the Year, many of whom were my role models, is really rewarding.”

Senior Player of the Year – Nick Desai, Baltusrol Golf Club

Nick Desai capped a strong season by earning his first Senior Player of the Year honor. Desai finished runner-up at the 67th New Jersey Senior Amateur Championship at New Jersey National Golf Club after a playoff, tied for third at the MGA Senior Amateur Championship, and won the Hochster Memorial. He also tied for second at the Boff Invitational, where he captured the event’s senior division title.

“When I look back, it’s been a very good year,” Desai said. “From the Senior Amateur to the Hochster and Boff events, the consistency was there all season. It’s truly an honor to receive this award.”

Junior Boys Player of the Year – Henry Bolster, Canoe Brook Country Club

In the first year of the award’s history, Henry Bolster becomes the inaugural NJ Golf Junior Boys Player of the Year. Bolster’s standout 2025 included victories at both the 104th W.Y. Dear Junior Championship at Essex Fells Country Club and the 93rd New Jersey Four-Ball Championship alongside Sean Vowells at North Jersey Country Club. He also competed at the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.

Junior Girls Co-Players of the Year – Megan Meng, Vaidehi Shah & Sarah Shao

For the first time, NJ Golf honors three co-winners as Junior Girls Players of the Year, recognizing an exceptional year in junior golf across the Garden State.

• Megan Meng (Mountain View Golf Club) – Runner-up at the 3rd New Jersey Women’s Open and quarterfinalist in the 100th New Jersey Women’s Amateur.
• Vaidehi Shah (NJ Golf E-Club) – Champion of the 3rd New Jersey Women’s Open at The Bedens Brook Club.
• Sarah Shao (New Jersey National Golf Club) – Winner of the 100th New Jersey Women’s Amateur Championship at Hackensack Golf Club.

The Players of the Year will be recognized during the NJPGA/NJ Golf Celebration of Golf, on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit, N.J.

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