University of Massachusetts Amherst student Jacob Coles named PGA WORKS Fellow

EAST AMHERST, N.Y., — The Western New York PGA Section, in conjunction with PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America, has named University of Massachusetts Amherst student Jacob Coles, of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, a PGA WORKS Fellow.

Coles’ appointment makes him one of 11 individuals nationwide serving in the PGA WORKS Fellowship, which is the flagship program of the inclusion pillar of PGA REACH. Focused on engaging a diverse demographic of participants—with consideration to gender, age, race, national origin, sexual orientation, disability and veteran status—the PGA WORKS Fellowship is designed to establish a deep bench of talent prepared to ascend into key employment positions within the business of golf. 

Working out of the Western New York PGA Section’s headquarters in East Amherst, Coles’ primary responsibilities will be to help execute program elements that support the mission and purpose of the Western New York PGA Section’s foundation, including PGA HOPE and junior golf initiatives, such as PGA Jr. League and Drive, Chip & Putt.  Additionally, Coles’ will be involved with activities surrounding the 2019 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, May 21-26. 

Coles, who will graduate this month with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in Marketing and is also a dual Sports Management major, earned Dean’s List honors from 2015-2018. He is also the recipient of the McCormack Center Scholarship and the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship. Additionally, he serves as Marketing Director for the McCormack Sports Leaders Forum at UMass and is a member of the Marketing Club.

“All career paths start with awareness and opportunity, and providing individuals from all backgrounds with employment opportunities in the golf industry is a priority for PGA REACH,” said PGA REACH Senior Director Ryan Cannon. “PGA WORKS is an important initiative supporting our inclusion pillar, and we’re thrilled to create new possibilities through the PGA WORKS Fellowship to pursue the dream of a career in golf.”

“I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to work with the Western New York PGA Section, and I greatly appreciate being chosen for the PGA WORKS Fellowship,” said Coles. “The experience I will gain as a PGA WORKS Fellow, including working at the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, will help set my golf business career in motion. I can’t wait to start this new journey.” 

“Jacob brings tremendous passion and energy to the Western New York PGA Section, and we believe he has the potential for a successful career working in the golf industry, after this fellowship is completed,” said Steve Bartkowski Western New York PGA Section Executive Director. “He will be a great addition to our team, and we expect that he will gain valuable experience working on numerous programs and events that we offer to golfers and the communities that we serve.”

The PGA WORKS Fellowship is a 12-month paid position, funded by PGA REACH, which currently hosts Fellows in 11 PGA Sections: Carolinas, Connecticut, Gateway, Metropolitan, Michigan, Middle Atlantic, New Jersey, Northern Ohio, Southern Ohio, Western New York and South Florida. 

For more information on PGA REACH, visit www.PGAREACH.org.