EDISON, N.J. -- After gaining valuable experience over the past twenty-five years in both the New Jersey and Metropolitan PGA Sections, Bill Castner is taking on one of the most exciting projects to open in the area in some time. Castner has been named head professional at the Plainfield West 9 course in Edison, New Jersey, along with the new First Tee of Plainfield program, which starts there this Spring.
Castner spent the last seven years as the Director of Instruction at the Hyatt Hills Golf Complex in Clark. There he started many new programs, including a highly successful Summer Junior Golf Camp, After-School Programs, one-day "Boot Camps" and weekly clinics for juniors, seniors and women. For the past two years, he has also served as the PGA representative to the First Tee Program at Weequahic Park, in Newark.
"I am very excited about this new opportunity," said Castner. "There is so much going on there - between the Plainfield West 9 course and the new First Tee program, we look to bring many new dynamic programs to the community. In these times, public access golf courses and junior opportunities are exactly what golfers are seeking. I am greatly improving the merchandise in the Pro Shop so that our golfers can play and shop for their golf essential needs at great prices right here."
The Plainfield West 9 golf course has a long history dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, and is maintained by Plainfield Country Club. Known for its challenging greens, Castner looks to bring much of its past old glory back. "This is a great place and should be a mainstay for every golfer in the Edison, Plainfield and surrounding areas."
Castner was born in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He played much of his early golf on the municipal courses of New York City and Long Island. He has served as the Head Professional at Van Cortlandt Golf Course (Bronx), LaTourette Golf Course (Staten Island) and the Randall's Island Golf Center. He was also the Director of Golf at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Mansion Ridge Golf Course in Monroe, New York. Castner was one of the early pioneers in junior golf in the 1980s, involved in starting several New York City junior golf programs which are still active today.
Castner also runs several independent websites, including www.golfinnyc.com and www.castnergolf.com. He is an accomplished writer and photographer.
For more information on their new programs and memberships at the Plainfield West 9 course and the new First Tee at Plainfield, contact Bill Castner at the Plainfield West 9 Pro Shop (908) 769-3672 or (917) 208-5197. The Plainfield West 9 Golf Course is open to the public and no membership is required to play.
About the First Tee:
The First Tee, an initiative of the World Golf Foundation, has as its mission, "to impact the lives of young people by providing learning facilities and educational programs that promote character-development and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. The goal is to provide the golf learning facilities and the experience that will enable kids from every walk of life to partake of a game that teaches values for life and which can be played for a lifetime.
