Honoring Donna Young: A champion, leader, mentor, and friend
Celebrating 50 years with the Garden State Women’s Golf Association
Donna Young’s incredible journey with the Garden State Women’s Golf Association (GSWGA) began with a serendipitous meeting in August of 1975. Fresh out of high school and playing in her very first New Jersey State Amateur Championship at Greenacres Country Club, Donna was the youngest player in the field—excited, nervous, and thrilled to be competing close to home.
She had a stellar week, qualifying for the Championship Flight before battling to the Quarterfinals against eventual champion Cindy Ferro. But it was off the fairway where her golfing life would change forever.
Emily Frelinghuysen, one of the original founders of the GSWGA, took notice of the talented young golfer. Taking Donna aside, Mrs. Frelinghuysen warmly insisted, “We must have you in The Garden State Women’s Golf Association.”
When Donna innocently asked, “What’s that?”, Mrs. Frelinghuysen smiled, took care of everything, and enlisted fellow committee member Mary Stackhouse to help sponsor her membership. Early in 1976, an official welcome envelope arrived—and Donna was hooked, playing in nearly every event that season. 50 years later, that warm welcome has grown into a lifetime of cherished friendships, unforgettable memories, and one of the most decorated competitive careers in New Jersey golf history.
A Career of Excellence
Representing Springdale Country Club, Donna’s championship legacy is nothing short of extraordinary:
- GSWGA Championships
- Elizabeth Goss Round Robin Champion (6-Time Winner): 1985, 1988, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2012
- Stroke Play Champion (4-Time Winner): 1990, 1991, 1992, 1998
- Foshay Award Winner (3-Time Recipient): 1991, 1992, 1998
- Better Ball of Partners Champion: 1991, 1995, 2010
- Age-Defying Mastery: Senior Champion (2018), Pinehurst Champion (2019), and a 3-time Super Senior Champion (2019, 2023, 2024)
Beyond the GSWGA
Donna’s dominance on the course extends far beyond association events. She is a 2-time NJ Women’s State Amateur Champion (2006 at Somerset Hills, 2007 at Hollywood) and a 2-time runner-up.
On the local, regional and national stage:
- WMGA Player of the Year (1998)
- 19-Time USGA Event Qualifier (including the US Amateur, US Women’s Mid-Am, US Senior Women’s Am, and State Team representing New Jersey)
- 4-Time International Competitor representing the WMGA & MGA in the prestigious French American Challenge (1991, 1992, 1998, 2002)
- Longtime WMGA Griscom Team Captain and 2-time Sis Choate Champion Team member.
- Springdale Club Champion: “To win a club championship once is a milestone. To win it 24 times is a dynasty.”
- Over 4 Decades: Donna won 24 (yes TWENTY-FOUR!!) Club Championship titles across the ’80s, ’90s, ’00s and ’01s.
- The Four-Peats: She didn’t just win sporadically; she went on consecutive streaks twice (a 4-peat from ’83–’86 and a 5-peat from ’97–’01).
“The GSWGA has helped shape the person and player I’ve become. I’ve made lifelong friends, and I know how fortunate I was to meet Emily Frelinghuysen on that wonderful week in August.”
— Donna Young
Today, we proudly honor Donna Young for 50 years of leadership, exceptional sportsmanship, and unparalleled golfing excellence. Congratulations, Donna, on your 50 years of membership with the GSWGA!