New Jersey Section, PGA of America,

Announces 2024 Special Award Recipients

Bill Hook, Head Golf Professional at Knickerbocker Country Club, named 2024 NJPGA Golf Professional of the Year



The New Jersey Section of the PGA of America (NJPGA) today announced its 2024 annual award recipients, led by Bill Hook, Head Golf Professional at Knickerbocker Country Club, who was named 2024 NJPGA Golf Professional of the Year, the highest honor for a PGA Professional within the Section. 

 

Now in his 14th season at Knickerbocker, Hook has continued to display qualities of leadership, strong moral character and a substantial record of service to the NJPGA, and the game of golf. Hook is finishing his final year as President of the New Jersey Section this year after serving as the Secretary and Vice President for the previous 5 years.

 

Hook is joined by an esteemed list of PGA Professionals who were selected as 2024 NJPGA Special Awards winners thanks in part to their extraordinary efforts during the 2024 season. The New Jersey PGA plans to recognize the award recipients at NJPGA Fall Meeting on Monday, October 28th at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club and, in conjunction with the New Jersey State Golf Association, on Thursday, Oct. 24th at the Celebration of Golf at Canoe Brook Country Club. 




 

2024 NJPGA Special Award Winners:

 

 

- Golf Professional of the Year: Bill Hook – Knickerbocker Country Club - Tenafly, N.J.

- Assistant Golf Professional of the Year: Kyle Costanzo – Metedeconk National Golf Club - Jackson, N.J.

- Teacher of the Year: Vince Ramagli – Montclair Golf Club - West Orange, N.J.

- Club of the Year: North Jersey Country Club – Wayne, N.J.

- Bill Strausbaugh Award: Kevin Beirne – Spirit Golf Management - Lambertville, N.J.

- Professional Development Award: Mike Attara – Spirit Golf Management - Lambertville, N.J. 

- Merchandiser of the Year (Private): Kelly LaDow – Rumson Country Club - Rumson, N.J.

- Merchandiser of the Year (Public): Rylee Plitz – Eagle Ridge Golf Club - Lakewood, N.J. 

- Player Development Award: Mike Andrusin – Berkshire Valley Golf Course - Jefferson, N.J.

- Youth Player Development Award: Brian Mackey – North Jersey Country Club – Wayne, N.J. 

- Patriot Award: Rylee Plitz – Eagle Ridge Golf Club - Lakewood, N.J.

- Salesperson of the Year: Tom Gleason - Jack Jolly & Son, U.S. Kids
- Deacon Palmer Award Scott Higgins (posthumously) – Montammy Golf Club - Alpine, N.J. 
 




New Jersey PGA Special Awards
The New Jersey Section Special Awards Committee's mission statement is to ensure that the best individuals in each Special Award category are nominated, given equal consideration and ultimately recognized for their achievement.


National PGA Special Awards
The New Jersey Section has been well represented at the national level by dozens of PGA Professionals being nominated for their dedication to the game of golf. Over the course of the Sections history, over 13 winners have come from the New Jersey PGA. 


National PGA Award Nomination Forms
To nominate a PGA Professional in the Section, please click here and login with your PGA.org username and password.


Past New Jersey PGA Special Awards Recipients
Click the links below to view all the past New Jersey PGA Special Awards Recipients.
Golf Professional of the Year
Assistant Golf Professional of the Year
Teacher of the Year
Bill Strausbaugh Award
Professional Development Award
Player Development Award
Youth Player Development Award
Patriot Award
Deacon Palmer Award
Private Merchandiser of the Year
Public Merchandiser of the Year
Club of the Year
Salesperson of the Year
 

Golf Professional of the Year

Bill Hook; Knickerbocker Country Club

Assistant Golf Professional of the Year

Kyle Costanzo; Metedeconk National Golf Club

Tecaher of the Year

Vince Ramagli; Montclair Golf Club

Bill Strausbaugh Award

Kevin Beirne; Spirit Golf Management

Professional Development Award

Mike Attara; Spirit Golf Management

Player Development Award

Mike Andrusin; Berkshire Valley Golf Course

Youth Player Development Award

Brian Mackey; North Jersey Country Club

Patriot Award

Rylee Plitz; Eagle Ridge Golf Club

Deacon Palmer Award

Scott Higgins (posthumously); Montammy GC

Private Merchandiser of the Year

Kelly LaDow; Rumson Country Club

Public Merchandiser of the Year

Rylee Plitz; Eagle Ridge Golf Club

Club of the Year

North Jersey Country Club, Wayne NJ

Salesperson of the Year

Tom Gleason; U.S. Kids, Jack Jolly & Son