JAKE O'Brien, a proud Wiradjuri man, has had an interesting start to life as the Parkes Golf Club PGA Professional; but with the help of a hugely supportive club and board he is looking to the future and taking his opportunity with both hands.
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"Opportunity brought me to the club. The ability to get my first full PGA professional job run my own business here in Parkes and support my family after doing my apprenticeship at Dubbo was too good to pass up," says O'Brien.
In an almost unbelievable turn of events O'Brien's first day as a full professional, a milestone that would usually warrant popping some champagne, coincided with every golf club in NSW shutting down. Fortunately, the club were quick to dispel any worry he had about his role.
"My first day here was March 30, and that was when all the clubs shut down, so that was an interesting welcome to the pro life!
"Fortunately for me though; the board, president and captain were fully supportive of me and straight away let me know I was safe. I could really sense the strong camaraderie at the club," says O'Brien.
Jake is keen to repay the faith of the club and is excited about some of the recent results which have shown the clear improvement and enjoyment of many members.
Ask Jake about how his golf journey began though, and that's where the excitement moves to a warm, inspiring sense of nostalgia, something you can't help but be empathically drawn to.
"I got into golf thanks to my grandfather when I was four, and he got down to a handicap of five so he was a pretty handy golfer.
"At the start I don't know whether I loved the game or just loved going everywhere with him but he taught me all the fundamentals of golf; grip, swing, posture and rotation.
He followed me everywhere in every tournament I would play and really hammered into me that it's all about the fundamentals- because once you get them right everything else falls into place," says O'Brien.
The influence of his grandfather is strong in O'Brien's approach to coaching, with the pro keen to keep golf as simple as possible ensuring he doesn't over complicate a game that can often seem very technical.
The club will be throwing their support behind junior golf, with a new program beginning at the end of the month.
They are aiming to improve the already strong family atmosphere with getting everyone involved and potentially unearthing the next big star of the club.
"Coaching kids takes a lot more patience! I keep it more game orientated and fun to make sure to engage their attention span.
"We don't want to focus on technical aspects and have them staring up at the clouds," O'Brien cheekily admitted.
If you are interested in lessons, Jake can be contacted by phone (0417 961 454) or email: jobrien@pgamember.org.au.
My first day here was was when all the clubs shut down, so that was an interesting welcome to the pro life!
- Jake O'Brien
