Jacob Coles Hired as Operations Coordinator

In 2019, I accepted the position of PGA WORKS Fellow for the WNY PGA Section and I had no idea what the experience would hold. Before joining the WNYPGA I had never participated in a golf event, let alone played the game. It’s safe to say I was a fish out of water when I jumped into the golf industry. Never mind the fact that I had moved to a new city less than a week after I graduated from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. On top of this, I started my first week on the job at Oak Hill Country Club helping run the 2019 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship. Looking back on this first week, there were some slip ups and a lot of learning experiences. However, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to start my professional career.

As the PGA WORKS Fellow for the WNYPGA Section, I split my time between Section activities and Foundational projects. I had the opportunity to help with everything from acquiring sponsors and marketing the section, to running Junior and Professional events throughout the season. I was able to apply everything I had gained in experience and knowledge from college to this position. This wasn’t the traditional “pencil-pushing” internship where all you do are trips to get coffee even though I would grab Tim Horton’s occasionally to thank my co-workers.

The environment around the Section has been welcoming since I moved to Buffalo in 2019. Not knowing much about golf or the golf industry, I wasn’t sure how people would feel about having me run events. However, I was embraced with open arms and began to learn industry from everyone I met. Every tournament I went to gave me an opportunity to learn more about the game and the people who play. I couldn’t have asked for a better spot to land in.

All in all, the fellowship was a great experience. I have even picked up the game of golf myself since becoming a PGA WORKS Fellow and Foundation Operations Coordinator. This fellowship was nothing like other internships I had in the past. From day one, I got to be a contributing member in our Section and my role here has only grown since. For anyone who is looking for a worthwhile experience, especially right out of school, and loves the sport industry, look no further than the PGA WORKS Fellowship.

Since writing this article, Jacob Coles has been hired into a full-time position in the Western NY PGA Section as the Coordinator of Operations. He has continued to be an asset to the section in many ways with his positive demeanor and hard work. The WNYPGA looks forward to the work Jacob will continue to do to grow the game of golf and serve the WNY golf community.

Submitted by:

Jacob Coles WNYPGA & PGA REACH WNY Coordinator of Operations jcoles@pgahq.com