CELEBRATING 50 YEARS AS A PGA MEMBER

Grey Oaks is immensely proud of Jim Jewell and his accomplishments. Help us celebrate his career with your kind wishes.

Jim Jewell is a bit of a superstar in the hearts of every member, guest, and staff that has crossed his path here at Grey Oaks, whether you have known him for 20 years, or only for a few days. He has seen Grey Oaks from the ground up and through the building of a special community that leaves lasting impressions for every generation in Naples. His passion for the game and his warm caring heart have made him a poster child for the Club, not to mention he is a pretty darn good golfer.

Having been a part of the team since the Club opened its doors in 1993, this year Jim celebrates 50 years as a PGA Member. This is a very rare accomplishment and we are immensely proud of Jim and honored to share his journey.

Originally from South Bend, Indiana, Jim attended Indiana University in Bloomington where he graduated with a business degree. Having cultivated a passion for golf, Jim began his professional career as Head Golf Professional at Elmira College in 1975 in New York. By 1977, Jim had already achieved the role of Director of Golf at Spring Lake Golf Club in Spring Lake, New Jersey.

In 1993, Jim relocated to Florida where he joined Grey Oaks as the original Director of Golf. With a vast passion for golfing, Jim then took the role of Grey Oaks Playing Professional from 2005 until today. In 2014, Jim was awarded the Emeritus Professional Award

during an honorary Grey Oaks staff activity fondly remembered as “Jim Jewell Day”. “It is with great pride that we honor Jim today with the Grey Oaks Pro Emiratus. Thank you Jim for all your hard work and dedication throughout the years, we could not have done this without you.” 2014 Grey Oaks Director of Membership, Kitsi Estrem, shared in her speech.

If Jim’s professional career seems remarkable, his PGA career is just as impressive. Jim played the PGA tour from 1971 to 1974 and played several tournaments during his era including two US Opens, two US Amateurs, one Mexican Open, two US Senior Opens, and two Senior PGAs. His list of accolades is quite extensive, including awards such as The Indiana Junior Champion, Perry Como Champion, Chicago America Champion, four time Florida Senior Open Winner, and South Florida Senior PGA Champion.

Jim’s unique accomplishments as a 50-year PGA professional have earned him much-deserved recognition, including a feature in the local newspaper, Naples Daily News. In the article Grey Oaks’ Jewell Celebrates 50 Years as a Club Professional, by Greg Hardwig, Jim speaks quite fondly of his early beginnings at Grey Oaks, sharing: “I remember the first few years when I said I’d love to see this place in 15 years, and it turned out better than I thought”. Jim truly is an exceptional man and a "true jewel" of Grey Oaks.

"He is a true gentleman of the game, and a truly iconic golf figure in Naples as both a player and a professional with his career at Grey Oaks. Jim never looks for attention, but for those of us who he has influenced, he is everything that a PGA member aspires to be as a golf professional." Jim Butler, Grey Oaks former General Manager, shares his kind words. There is no one more deserving of appreciation.

Congratulations Jim!

“Jim Jewell is celebrating 50 years as a PGA member this month, which does not happen very often. As you know, he is a true gentleman of the game, and a truly iconic golf figure in Naples as both a player and a professional with his career at Grey Oaks. Jim never looks for attention, but for those of us that he has influenced, he is everything that a PGA member aspires to be as a golf professional. ”

Jim Jewell recieving a gift from Club Developer Judy Sproul and 2014 General Manager Jim Butler on Jim Jewell Day.