New Jersey’s Inspiration Golf Range & Activity Center receives $250,000 donation

SPRINGFIELD, NJ - JUNE 21: PGA of America Chief Executive Officer, Seth Waugh and PGA of America At-Large Director, Cathy Harbin present a check to New Jersey Golf Foundation Executive Director, Chris Hunt, Executive Director NJPGA Section, Chris Bauer, NJPGA President, Bill Hook, and NJPGA President, Mike Attara during the Place to Play Check Presentation before the KPMG Women's PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club on Wednesday, June 21, 2023 in Springfield, New Jersey. (Photo by Darren Carroll/PGA of America)

PGA REACH, the charitable foundation of the PGA, will donate $250,000 to the Inspiration Golf Range & Activity Center, located on the Lyons Campus of the VA New Jersey Health Care System, in Bernards Township.

The donation, presented at the 2023 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, will be used in part to construct a roof over the 27-bay teeing ground of the driving range, enabling protection from the elements, as well as ecofriendly lights and heaters. It will also be used to install drainage systems on the property to care for a new natural grass tee that will enhance the teaching operation for PGA Professionals.

The multipurpose facility, which is open to the public, is operated by the New Jersey Golf Foundation, the charitable arm of the New Jersey PGA Section, and serves as the home site to support golf programming for youth, military veterans and individuals with special needs.

The natural grass tee will also provide a safer space for the range’s special needs programs. Special Olympics NJ athletes, Unified Partners and the Els for Autism programs will use the natural grass tee for their training and practice.

“It’s an honor for PGA REACH and the Places to Play program to provide a helping hand to the Inspiration Golf Range & Activity Center, which does so much good for the local community through the game of golf,” PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh said. “We are proud that these additions will allow so many juniors, adults and families to enjoy the life-enhancing benefits this great game provides.”

“The donation from PGA REACH enables us to transform the Inspiration Golf Range into a facility that will ensure members of our community and individuals of all abilities have access to this game we all love,” New Jersey Golf Foundation Executive Director Chris Hunt said. “The positive impact experienced at this facility will pay dividends for years to come.”