J. Kenneth Croney, a former GAP Executive Committee member and volunteer, died Feb. 14 in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. He was 83.
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A Sunnybrook Golf Club member, Croney joined the Executive Committee in 2000 and served as chairman of the organization’s PLAY Golf Committee. Launched in 2000, the PLAY (Philadelphia Local Area Youth) Golf program aimed to support community efforts in expanding access to the game for urban and less fortunate youth. It assisted and coordinated more than 20 community-based programs supporting more than 4,200 golfers. The PLAY Golf program was discontinued in 2017.
Croney transitioned from his role on the PLAY Golf committee to chair the organization’s handicap services committee. Directives included the implementation of USGA handicap procedures, scheduling of handicap revisions, reviews of member/non-member handicap services and course ratings. During Croney’s tenure, the handicap services committee operated in concert with the evolution of GHIN (Golf Handicap Information Network) and implemented TPP (tournament pairing program) software for GAP and its Member Clubs.
“I’ll always remember a match at Huntington Valley (Country Club) where Ken was my partner; He was very competitive and great company,” Richard P. Meehan, Jr., a GAP Executive Committee member from 2002-11 and former president (2009-11), 70, of Moorestown, N.J., said. “That same spirit carried into GAP meetings where Ken’s thoughtful input was always for the good of the game. Ken will truly be missed.”
Croney retired from the GAP Executive Committee in 2010. He volunteered as a rules official in subsequent years.
An Abington, Pa. native, Croney served as a captain in the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He is a Villanova School of Engineering and Harvard Law School alum. Croney practiced law with Ballard Spahr LLP and High Swartz LLP and served as general counsel for the Alco Standard Corporation. He also contributed his corporate law expertise to numerous organizations.
In addition to giving back to the game of golf, Croney served as a board member for Springside Chestnut Hill Academy and Musicopia, a non-profit organization that aims to inspire, educate and connect children and their extended communities through collaborative music and dance experiences.
Croney is survived by his wife of 60 years, Dawn Tichenor Croney; children Jennifer Croney Chernak, James Kenneth Croney, Jr., Joseph Keith Croney and Morgan Croney Harcro; daughters-in-law Laura Leslie Croney, Ruth Harris Harcro and Wendy Bigio Croney; grandchildren Samantha, Trey, Winter, Meredith, Joe, Annabelle, Oliver, Young Brave Harcro, Pina Ruth Harcro and Celis Harcro Day.
A celebration of Croney’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Friends of the Wissahickon or a charity of one’s choice in honor of Croney’s lifelong commitment to community and education.
GAP
Celebrating Amateur Golf since 1897, GAP, also known as the Golf Association of Philadelphia, is the oldest regional or state golf association in the United States. It serves as the principal ruling body of amateur golf in its region. The organization’s 345 Member Clubs and 130,000 individual members are spread across Pennsylvania, Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. The GAP’s mission is to promote, preserve and protect the game of golf.
