March 30, 2009 — One of the most prominent golf professionals in New Jersey golf history, Peter Famiano, died on March 28 at the age of 65. In a career that spanned more than 30 years, Famiano was a respected member of the Met Area golf community as both a player and colleague. He served as head golf professional at Crestmont Country Club in West Orange, N.J., from 1973-2005 and as the director of golf from 2006 until his death. Famiano served as president of the New Jersey PGA Section from 1994-1996 and was inducted into the Section’s Hall of Fame in 2004. He was also elected to the Sports Hall of Fame of his hometown, Schenectady, N.Y., in 2008.

Famiano was a 1966 graduate of the University of Houston, where he also played on the golf team. His career as a player in the Met Area included victories in the 2002 MGA Senior Open Championship as well as the 2002 NJPGA Senior Championship, the 1994 and 1995 NJSGA/NJPGA Senior Open and the 1998 NJPGA Club Professional Championship. Famiano played on the South African PGA Tour during the winter months from 1971-1988 and was coach of the Montclair State University golf team from 1979-2003. He was also the 1961 NYSGA Junior champion. Famiano was named the NJPGA Golf Professional of the Year in 1995 and 1998, and was a four-time recipient of the NJPGA Bill Strausbaugh Club Relations Award.

Famiano’s accomplishments extended well beyond his playing career as an active supporter of a number of charitable causes. He was a long-time supporter of the MGA Foundation’s GOLFWORKS program, mentoring many young students who participated in this popular student intern program. Famiano was also on the final ballot of the 2007 MGA Distinguished Service Award, the Association’s highest honor. He was a trustee of the NJSGA Caddie Scholarship Foundation and was recognized as the “Supporter of the Decade” in 1986 by the New Jersey Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

“Pete Famiano was simply one of the very best people in golf—he was a wonderful player, teacher and mentor,” said Jay Mottola, Executive Director of the MGA. “Everything he did in golf exemplified the best in our game.”

A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Church in Schenectady, N.Y., on Thursday, April 2, at 10:30 a.m. A memorial service will also be held at Crestmont Country Club in West Orange, N.J., on Sunday, April 5, beginning at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the New Jersey Golf Foundation, c/o NJPGA, 255 Old New Brunswick Road, Suite 100 South, Piscataway, NJ 08854.