GAIL REILLY SCHOLARSHIP FUND ANNOUNCED
The New Jersey State Golf Association is perpetuating the legacy of the South Jersey Golf Association through several new initiatives.
At the top of these iniatives is the annual scholarship program for southern New Jersey high school golfers will continue and be known as the “Gail Reilly Scholarship,” in honor of Ms. Reilly, who steered the SJGA for the final 12 years of its existence.
An annual “South Jersey Cup” amateur championship will be conducted by the NJSGA for the first time on Oct. 8 at the Atlantic City Country Club in Northfield. The event will feature multiple gross male and female competitions for advanced amateur golfers. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Gail Reilly Scholarship program.
In addition, the NJSGA is committed to offer up to four Member Golf Days net events at private clubs in South Jersey. Old York Country Club on Chesterfield, Stone Harbor Golf Club in Cape May Courthouse, and Laurel Creek Country Club in Mount Laurel are reserved to host these events in 2019. Partial revenue from these events will benefit the Gail Reilly Scholarship Fund.
“This initiative honors the great work that Gail Reilly has put forth for the game your of golf in South Jersey for the past two decades as President, goes towards providing assistance with higher education for young men and women – making a positive impact on the South Jersey Golf Community,” said Rich Kennedy, NJSGA Director, Member Benefit Services and Handicapping.
The NJSGA has worked in collaboration with the SJGA since 2014 in a joint effort to promote golf across New Jersey. By showcasing the courses in the southern counties associated with SJGA, both organizations focused on developing membership and increasing play for golfers throughout the state. NJSGA members from throughout the state were invited to participate in selected SJGA events.
“With the demise of South Jersey Golf Association, I am more than thrilled that NJSGA is willing to continue a principal mission of SJGA - the annual scholarship program for graduating high school golfers from southern Jersey counties. Thanks to the enthusiasm of Rich Kennedy and Executive Director Kevin Purcell and the approval of the NJSGA Board, this legacy will continue with a scholarship in my name,” said Reilly. The SJGA dissolved on Dec. 31, 2018.
“I am truly humbled by this accolade and am eager to work at making this a success for years to come. I have been asked to continue all aspects of the application process, culminating with the presentation of $1,000 scholarships to both a male and female high school golfer,” Reilly added.
The scholarship recipients must be resident of any of the following counties: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean and Salem.
Applications are made available to graduating seniors in early March, with a deadline of mid - April. Winners and their Guidance Counselors are notified in early May in order for winners to participate in their Senior Awards Nights and receive their checks and certificates. A committee of 5/7 members will be tasked with reading these applications to determine the recipients.
In 1946, South Jersey Golf Association was formed with the purpose of providing additional tournament venues for New Jersey clubs.
By 2001, with almost 1,000 members from 58 different clubs, the association’s membership included all clubs in the area. Unfortunately around 2004, clubs began to drop their memberships for various reasons such as the economy, lack of interest or cessation of operation.
The NJSGA/SJGA Collaborative Initiative proved beneficial to both organizations with increased membership for SJGA and affordable opportunities to play at top courses.
Reilly, a member of the SJGA for 23 years has served as president since 2007 and assumed the Executive Director duties as well, spearheading the present NJSGA / SJGA collaboration.
She retired from Brooklyn Technical High School in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 2003 after serving there since 1970 as an English Teacher, Coordinator of College Services, Chairperson of the School Leadership Team, Advisor for the Yearbook and Newspaper, NHS, National Beta Club and coach of the Volleyball and Tennis teams. In 2002 Reilly was named the “New York Times” Teacher of the Year and was awarded “Teacher Emeritus” status by the BTHS Alumni Association in 2015.
Reilly is president of the Cape May National Golf Course Ladies’ Association (Cape May County), which is her home golf course, and has been a volunteer in a host of positions at Christ Church Shrewsbury (Monmouth County) including serving on the Vestry, chairing the Outreach Committee, the Christmas Bazaar and the Youth Leadership Team. She is an avid supporter of AAUW, HRC, Nature Conservancy, Southern Poverty Law Center and the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine.