EHT Community Standout Steve Parker to Be Honored at Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Golf Outing

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — A longtime Egg Harbor Township volunteer, youth sports leader and standout athlete who once caught the attention of Major League Baseball will be honored Wednesday at McCullough's Emerald Golf Links.

Steve Parker has been selected as the 2026 Honorary Irishman for McCullough's annual Halfway to St. Patrick's Day Golf Outing, an event that combines an Irish-themed day of golf with recognition of someone who has made a lasting contribution to the community.

Tom Sullivan, general manager of McCullough's Emerald Golf Links, said Parker's decades of service made him an ideal choice.

"Steve Parker has been a huge part of the Egg Harbor Township community as well as Atlantic County at large," Sullivan said during an appearance Monday on Off The Press with Scott Cronick on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND.

Parker's community résumé stretches across local government, education and youth sports.

McCullough's says Parker served on the Egg Harbor Township Board of Education and Zoning Board and was a founding member of the Egg Harbor Township Golf Corporation. He also founded the Egg Harbor Township Street Hockey League in the early 1980s and coached the EHT Orioles varsity football program to multiple county championships.

But Parker's own athletic career came first.

A standout football and baseball player at Mainland Regional High School, Parker was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds, according to McCullough's.

Sullivan said Parker ultimately chose a different path.

"He was from his era one of the best athletes to come out of Atlantic County, particularly in baseball, where he was recruited by the Reds," Sullivan said. "And a whole other story — did not go on that journey. But he stayed in our area, moved to Egg Harbor Township, where he raised his family and had a long coaching career and volunteer life in the community."

That volunteer work included involvement with McCullough's, the golf corporation, local boards and youth athletic programs.

"I can't say enough about Steve," Sullivan said. "Steve is a great person, a great guy."

The Halfway to St. Patrick's Day outing was revived last year with an added emphasis on recognizing community contributors.

Last year's honoree was Frank Finnerty, whom Sullivan described as a longtime committeeman, lifeguard, teacher and coach. This year's event continues that tradition with Parker.

"This event is about honoring people that are from the community," Sullivan said.

The outing is scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 16, at McCullough's Emerald Golf Links on Ocean Heights Avenue. The course's current event registration lists the outing from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and a cost of $100 per golfer.

Sullivan said the event will include golf, prizes and an Irish-themed meal featuring shepherd's pie.

McCullough's itself carries an Irish and Scottish theme. The public 18-hole course was designed as a tribute to famous European courses including St Andrews, Carnoustie, Prestwick, Gleneagles and Turnberry, and features elevation changes unusual for South Jersey.

Sullivan said that makes the Halfway to St. Patrick's Day celebration a particularly natural fit.

"It's nice that it's halfway to St. Patty's Day," Sullivan said. "We can put that vibe on the event."

But for Parker, Wednesday's recognition will be about much more than golf or St. Patrick's Day.

It will recognize decades spent contributing to the community where he chose to remain after his own playing days ended.

Tom Sullivan appeared on Off The Press with Scott Cronick on News Talk 1400 & 92.3 WOND. Off The Press airs Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.