NJSGA, Golf Community mourn the passing of John Murray

March 22, 2021 – John B. Murray, a longtime board member, officer, and past president of the New Jersey State Golf Association, passed away on Sunday, March 21, 2021.

Murray, of Sea Girt, was appointed to the NJSGA board in 1998 and served with distinction until his retirement from the board in October, 2020. He was President of the association in 2010-11 after two year terms each as Vice President (2008-09) and Secretary (2006-08).

During his tenure on the board, Murray served on numerous committees including the legal advisory committee, and as chairman of the long-range planning committee since its inception. Also, he served on the caddie scholarship committee and supported the Caddie Scholarship Foundation which he believed to be very important and was a source of great pride. Murray was also a trustee of the NJSGA Youth Foundation.

Among his countless accomplishments on behalf of the NJSGA, Murray spearheaded the association’s partnership with Union County, leading to the organization’s move into its current headquarters at Galloping Hill in April 2013. Earlier, during Murray’s presidency, Coleen Luker became the first woman elected to the NJSGA Board of Trustees, preceded two years earlier by the merger of the NJSGA and N.J. State Women’s Golf Committee, an initiative to which Murray closely contributed.

An attorney by trade, Murray worked in the legal field for 50 years where he specialized in corporate and business law, as well as real estate and land use. He was a partner of the Connell Foley law firm in Roseland and was a member of the American Bar and New Jersey State Bar associations.

Murray was a member of the Spring Lake Golf Club since 1984, where he served two terms as President (1993-95 and 1998-99) and many years on the club’s board of trustees. He was also a past president of the N.J. Seniors Golf Association (2010-11) where he also served in various capacities on the organization’s board.

Kevin Purcell, NJSGA Executive Director, reflected on Murray’s exemplary contributions: “It is safe to say that John played a major role in every decision over the last 20 plus years. Never one to seek the spotlight, John forged a coalition around an idea by clarifying the situation before offering a reasoned, constructive option. He often waited until the end of a debate, where everyone had a chance to express an opinion, before presenting his thoughts on a solution. When he spoke, everyone listened. More often than not, we would move forward with his ideas. But either way, we would see that wry smile or receive words of encouragement. Although John came off the Board of Trustees in 2020, his contributions continued through the legal committee and as a mentor and friend to the Board members and staff.”

In October 2020, the conference room at the NJSGA’s headquarters was named the “John Murray Conference Room” in honor and recognition for his devoted service to the association.

Outside of golf, Murray spent time on the Board of Trustees for Seton Hall Preparatory School. He was a member of the Board of Trustees since 1987 and chairman since 1996. In 2017 Seton Hall Prep dedicated the “John B. Murray ’59 Field House” at its Kelly Athletic Facility in honor of his long and faithful service to the Prep.

Murray had a standout sports career at Seton Hall Prep and Notre Dame University before attending Georgetown Law School. He was inducted into the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame on October 25, 2012. At Seton Hall Prep he played on the 1958 Parochial North Jersey State Champions team and captained the 1958 football team, his senior year, where he was named to the first team All-Essex County, All-State Parochial and Private, and All-North Jersey Parochial teams.

At Notre Dame, the 6-1, 210-pound Murray played end his junior and senior years on the 1961 and 1962 teams and graduated from the South Bend school in 1963 with a degree in economics. The next stop for Murray was the Georgetown University Law Center, from which he received a J.D. in 1966. In 1967, Murray received a Master of Law degree (taxation) from New York University.

Murray is survived by his wife, Ann, as well as seven children, 21 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Click here for the obituary.