Professional Spotlight Featuring Brian Jacobs, PGA

How PGA REACH Programs Helped me Grow the Game as well as a Professional and Person.

I am Brian Jacobs, a PGA Professional as well as a Lead Coach for Golf Channel Academy. I own and operate my own brand (Brian Jacobs Golf) and the academy at Mill Creek Golf Club in Rochester, NY. 2020 has had its “ups and downs” for some I am sure, but for me it has been “all ups”! Before you think I am not thinking clearly, let me explain. I love adapting and facing a challenge. I have utilized programming we have access to as PGA Professionals through the WNY PGA REACH Foundation. For my academy I have always done 1:1 long term player development, some camps through PGA Jr. Camps and then 2-3 times per year I would donate my time to branches of the military, generally, the Air Force. I would go to various bases and donate my time on the range and the golf course teaching enlisted, officers and families of the men/women who are serving our country. I would also visit youth at Galisano Children’s Hospital as part of a program called Smiles Fore Life that is spearheaded by PGA Professional, Mike D’Agostino. As I got more involved in these Foundation charitable endeavors, I learned more about PGA REACH/PGA HOPE and PGA REACH Foundation umbrella of programs then began to get more involved. My desire to learn more was fueled by the opportunity to help others. I started my year helping to do instruction for PGA HOPE at the Paddock Dome in Buffalo where each Sunday night other PGA Professionals and myself met with over 40+ men and women veterans who LOVE golf. It was my privilege to serve these heroes and I continued through the summer program all the way to graduation which was a “tearjerker” for me. We all, in my way of thinking, need to connect to this program as it does so much for the participants. I feel so humbled and honored to be a part of PGA HOPE! I was so taken by the winter and summer program I offered 4 Fridays in July for PGA HOPE Golf at Mill Creek Golf Club. We generally had 4 groups of veterans who made the drive (some as far as 2 hours) to participate in a free clinic then go out and play Mill Creek. This was, for lack of a better term, a blast and brought me even closer to the veterans. It helped me understand how vital these programs are for our veterans. We played lots of golf and had lots of laughs, ice cream at a local creamery each week and concluded with a chicken wing outdoor get together. On September 25th-28th myself and some of my sponsors will host 11 PGA HOPE veterans in Rochester for 4 days of “Rochester Golf” along with cookouts and camaraderie each evening. The veterans will bring their campers or tents and camp out on my property and I will make this an annual event. My goal is to raise awareness in my community of how vital it is to serve those who served us and educate on veteran transition back to their daily lives. This will be a small way to give back to veterans and again, my plan is to make this an annual event and raise not only awareness but funds for the important work PGA REACH does. I was very fortunate to have multiple conversations with Doug Wert, PGA early in 2020. Doug is our PGA Jr. League Regional League Manager and a wonderful resource and now, friend. I was considering offering PGA Jr. League at my academy and facility, but was having difficulty recruiting youth. I decided to offer the program to youth and to the families (parent, guardians, siblings, biological grandparents) of the youth. As I made the choice to run what we call a “hybrid program” I wanted the families to be together and learn together not only because of COVID-19, but after spending many years as a public high school teacher I know what often makes the needle move and that is “community”. So many youth programs are “dump and dash” and I have always had an open tee policy. Parents are always welcome to stay and observe and understand what their child is learning. I believe this helps so we can all be sending the same messages when it comes to practice, preparation or competition. We struck gold! I had 8 families (32 people) participate in an 8-week program that included 90-minute practices and bi-weekly 9-hole competitive play from various yardages of 25 to 150 yards. We met on Sunday afternoons when the course was slower in play and the practice facility was generally empty. The youth and families ranged in skill from raw beginners to intermediate and each family connected so well. We had Dad’s, Mom’s, Grandparents, and siblings all in a supportive environment and it was fun to hear the cheers from the families for other families as they succeeded. When a family needed encouragement the culture all embraced each other!

How PGA REACH Programs Helped me Grow the Game as well as a Professional and Person.

I am Brian Jacobs, a PGA Professional as well as a Lead Coach for Golf Channel Academy. I own and operate my own brand (Brian Jacobs Golf) and the academy at Mill Creek Golf Club in Rochester, NY.

2020 has had its “ups and downs” for some I am sure, but for me it has been “all ups”! Before you think I am not thinking clearly, let me explain. I love adapting and facing a challenge. I have utilized programming we have access to as PGA Professionals through the WNY PGA REACH Foundation. For my academy I have always done 1:1 long term player development, some camps through PGA Jr. Camps and then 2-3 times per year I would donate my time to branches of the military, generally, the Air Force. I would go to various bases and donate my time on the range and the golf course teaching enlisted, officers and families of the men/women who are serving our country. I would also visit youth at Galisano Children’s Hospital as part of a program called Smiles Fore Life that is spearheaded by PGA Professional, Mike D’Agostino. As I got more involved in these Foundation charitable endeavors, I learned more about PGA REACH/PGA HOPE and PGA REACH Foundation umbrella of programs then began to get more involved.

My desire to learn more was fueled by the opportunity to help others. I started my year helping to do instruction for PGA HOPE at the Paddock Dome in Buffalo where each Sunday night other PGA Professionals and myself met with over 40+ men and women veterans who LOVE golf. It was my privilege to serve these heroes and I continued through the summer program all the way to graduation which was a “tearjerker” for me. We all, in my way of thinking, need to connect to this program as it does so much for the participants. I feel so humbled and honored to be a part of PGA HOPE! I was so taken by the winter and summer program I offered 4 Fridays in July for PGA HOPE Golf at Mill Creek Golf Club. We generally had 4 groups of veterans who made the drive (some as far as 2 hours) to participate in a free clinic then go out and play Mill Creek. This was, for lack of a better term, a blast and brought me even closer to the veterans. It helped me understand how vital these programs are for our veterans. We played lots of golf and had lots of laughs, ice cream at a local creamery each week and concluded with a chicken wing outdoor get together. On September 25 th -28 th myself and some of my sponsors will host 11 PGA HOPE veterans in Rochester for 4 days of “Rochester Golf” along with cookouts and camaraderie each evening. The veterans will bring their campers or tents and camp out on my property and I will make this an annual event. My goal is to raise awareness in my community of how vital it is to serve those who served us and educate on veteran transition back to their daily lives. This will be a small way to give back to veterans and again, my plan is to make this an annual event and raise not only awareness but funds for the important work PGA REACH does.

I was very fortunate to have multiple conversations with Doug Wert, PGA early in 2020. Doug is our PGA Jr. League Regional League Manager and a wonderful resource and now, friend. I was considering offering PGA Jr. League at my academy and facility, but was having difficulty recruiting youth. I decided to offer the program to youth and to the families (parent, guardians, siblings, biological grandparents) of the youth. As I made the choice to run what we call a “hybrid program” I wanted the families to be together and learn together not only because of COVID-19, but after spending many years as a public high school teacher I know what often makes the needle move and that is “community”.

So many youth programs are “dump and dash” and I have always had an open tee policy. Parents are always welcome to stay and observe and understand what their child is learning. I believe this helps so we can all be sending the same messages when it comes to practice, preparation or competition. We struck gold! I had 8 families (32 people) participate in an 8-week program that included 90-minute practices and bi-weekly 9-hole competitive play from various yardages of 25 to 150 yards. We met on Sunday afternoons when the course was slower in play and the practice facility was generally empty. The youth and families ranged in skill from raw beginners to intermediate and each family connected so well. We had Dad’s, Mom’s, Grandparents, and siblings all in a supportive environment and it was fun to hear the cheers from the families for other families as they succeeded. When a family needed encouragement the culture all embraced each other!

How PGA REACH Programs Helped me Grow the Game as well as a Professional and Person.

I am Brian Jacobs, a PGA Professional as well as a Lead Coach for Golf Channel Academy. I own and operate my own brand (Brian Jacobs Golf) and the academy at Mill Creek Golf Club in Rochester, NY.

2020 has had its “ups and downs” for some I am sure, but for me it has been “all ups”! Before you think I am not thinking clearly, let me explain. I love adapting and facing a challenge. I have utilized programming we have access to as PGA Professionals through the WNY PGA REACH Foundation. For my academy I have always done 1:1 long term player development, some camps through PGA Jr. Camps and then 2-3 times per year I would donate my time to branches of the military, generally, the Air Force. I would go to various bases and donate my time on the range and the golf course teaching enlisted, officers and families of the men/women who are serving our country. I would also visit youth at Galisano Children’s Hospital as part of a program called Smiles Fore Life that is spearheaded by PGA Professional, Mike D’Agostino. As I got more involved in these Foundation charitable endeavors, I learned more about PGA REACH/PGA HOPE and PGA REACH Foundation umbrella of programs then began to get more involved.

My desire to learn more was fueled by the opportunity to help others. I started my year helping to do instruction for PGA HOPE at the Paddock Dome in Buffalo where each Sunday night other PGA Professionals and myself met with over 40+ men and women veterans who LOVE golf. It was my privilege to serve these heroes and I continued through the summer program all the way to graduation which was a “tearjerker” for me. We all, in my way of thinking, need to connect to this program as it does so much for the participants. I feel so humbled and honored to be a part of PGA HOPE! I was so taken by the winter and summer program I offered 4 Fridays in July for PGA HOPE Golf at Mill Creek Golf Club. We generally had 4 groups of veterans who made the drive (some as far as 2 hours) to participate in a free clinic then go out and play Mill Creek. This was, for lack of a better term, a blast and brought me even closer to the veterans. It helped me understand how vital these programs are for our veterans. We played lots of golf and had lots of laughs, ice cream at a local creamery each week and concluded with a chicken wing outdoor get together. On September 25 th -28 th myself and some of my sponsors will host 11 PGA HOPE veterans in Rochester for 4 days of “Rochester Golf” along with cookouts and camaraderie each evening. The veterans will bring their campers or tents and camp out on my property and I will make this an annual event. My goal is to raise awareness in my community of how vital it is to serve those who served us and educate on veteran transition back to their daily lives. This will be a small way to give back to veterans and again, my plan is to make this an annual event and raise not only awareness but funds for the important work PGA REACH does.

I was very fortunate to have multiple conversations with Doug Wert, PGA early in 2020. Doug is our PGA Jr. League Regional League Manager and a wonderful resource and now, friend. I was considering offering PGA Jr. League at my academy and facility, but was having difficulty recruiting youth. I decided to offer the program to youth and to the families (parent, guardians, siblings, biological grandparents) of the youth. As I made the choice to run what we call a “hybrid program” I wanted the families to be together and learn together not only because of COVID-19, but after spending many years as a public high school teacher I know what often makes the needle move and that is “community”.

So many youth programs are “dump and dash” and I have always had an open tee policy. Parents are always welcome to stay and observe and understand what their child is learning. I believe this helps so we can all be sending the same messages when it comes to practice, preparation or competition. We struck gold! I had 8 families (32 people) participate in an 8-week program that included 90-minute practices and bi-weekly 9-hole competitive play from various yardages of 25 to 150 yards. We met on Sunday afternoons when the course was slower in play and the practice facility was generally empty. The youth and families ranged in skill from raw beginners to intermediate and each family connected so well. We had Dad’s, Mom’s, Grandparents, and siblings all in a supportive environment and it was fun to hear the cheers from the families for other families as they succeeded. When a family needed encouragement the culture all embraced each other!

Two very compelling stories come out of the program not of competitive success but in life. I had an old (he is old, I am not) high school friend who wanted to be involved with the program as we discussed this one day at a breakfast we had together. He volunteered his time and did the ADM training offered via PGA.Coach (which I highly recommend you use) as well as got the team jersey’s and he loved the program so much! He said it was the “best part of his week” and I felt honored to have him there as this was a great chance to enhance his life. We would talk each week about how the families were developing in the areas we worked in, we enjoyed our time setting up the golf course and sometimes let the kids set it up with us so they took great pride in their course. The second comes from the Smiles Fore Life Program. One of the children, who was a 6-year old patient with bone cancer at Galisano Children’s Hospital, had done 6 rounds of chemotherapy and came to the golf program we offered in January and February of 2020. “My main man” (I call him) was declared in remission in March of 2020! I offered the program to him and his family and we were able to scholarship him in. Mike D’Agostino gave him US KIDS Clubs he had in I nventory and golf instruction from me is “free for life”. He was a treasure to be around and it was so good to see him healthy running and playing. His team came in 3 rd place in Family Cup but in my eyes, they were Number One. Each week he and his Dad, Mom and Grandpa came, never missed and his Mom could not thank me enough for all that I did for him. I did nothing. He gave it his all. I am sad to share his cancer is back and he is doing chemo and may need a marrow transfusion, but the families in the program have all rallied around him. They are sending him cards, notes, and pictures to uplift him. He is a rabid Bills fan and I teach some of the players and staff, so I’m working on messages of hope to lift him up. The golf aspect seems inconsequential, but his Mom said he would ask each day if it was Sunday, what color jersey and what was the practice plan because he wanted to be ready. He also would go out in his yard to practice every day the lesson we learned the week previous, now this is dedication. My main man definitely has impacted us all. We ended our program with a PGA Family Cup which ended in a playoff for two teams, in the dark with cell phones from all in the program lighting the green for the final putt. 31 phones light up a green pretty well!

I am currently running a 17U program with high school and middle school players where we practice then play match play each week. We are also doing a service program with all youth and families where the Head Grounds Superintendent will meet with the families and educate them on how to repair ball marks as well as how to fill a divot with sand properly, we then go out on the course as families and beautify each tee box by picking up tees, fill divots on the tee boxes and fairways and fix ball marks on the greens. I believe we must educate those getting into the game and reeducate many who are already in it, to care for property and set the appropriate example. We will have a dinner afterwards and have a few laughs I am sure! We are planning another Family Cup for Saturday, October 3 rd and are hopeful we can create even more participation as well as come together to celebrate 2020.

In summary, as I mentioned in my opening statement, “my 2020 has been all ups” and I give credit to those who I have been able to form relationships with through these programs whether it be National, Regional, Sectional Staff or program participants. I am more than honored and privileged to serve our veterans and families and at the end of each session, whether it be Smiles Fore Life, PGA HOPE, PGA Youth and Family, as I drive home, I can’t help but smile that I get to live out my purpose each and every day. I get to be surrounded by such wonderful, passionate people. I feel somewhat selfish because I know I get far more out of these interactions than those that meet me or are in a program and it humbles me and makes me want to work harder, to give more and to appreciate each day. I know our best days are ahead of us in these programs and I wish I could fast forward to the future but for now I will have fond memories of 2020 with all that we learned and the growth we have had together.

Brian Jacobs, PGA Lead Coach-Golf Channel Academy WNY PGA Teacher of the Year WNY PGA Horton Smith Award Golf Digest Best in State