An eventful junior career led Jessey to the club professional route and in the summer of 2012 he broke through by obtaining his PGA of Canada card at the Williams Lake Men’s Open with scores of 79-73-77, getting his card on the number and joining the ranks of the PGA of Canada.
After finishing college, and graduating with a diploma in Business Management, Jessey turned his sights to the professional tours. Starting in the fall of 2013 he began playing on the Pepsi Tour in Arizona. Limited success, but rapid improvement, saw a trip to PGA Tour Canada Qualifying School come up short and left a lot to be desired.
In the summer of 2014, returning to work at Aberdeen Glen, Jessey focused on making improvements to his game while helping to manage the shop, teach the junior program and compete on the Vancouver Golf Tour. The summer would prove most eventful as Jessey met his future wife, Kim Hurlston, and that gave him the jump he needed to get back down to Arizona for another chance at the Pepsi Tour and PGA Tour Canada Qualifying School. Through hard work and dedication to improvement he was able to carve out a couple of top 10 finishes on the Pepsi Circuit and head to Qualifying School with confidence and a knowledge that his game was near the right place.
Getting behind the cut-line early and trying to force too many shots led to another disappointing finish at Q-School. Jessey decided to hang up the Tour dreams and focus on teaching. He had worked with coaches such as Martin Chuck (Tour Striker & Revolution Golf,) Aaron Olson (Tour Striker & Make the Turn,) Courtney Mahon (Tour Striker & Nike Junior Development,) Jeff Ritter (Make the Turn & Golf Digest,) and he had competed and practiced with players Adam Hadwin (PGA Tour Winner,) Nick Taylor (PGA Tour Winner,) Jessica Wallace (ex-LPGA competitor,) Andrew Ledger (PGA Tour Canada,) Cory Renfrew (PGA Tour Canada,) and Brad Clapp (PGA Tour Canada Winner).
Jessey now works and teaches full time at Aberdeen Glen Golf Course and plays around four competitive tournaments per season. He teaches students of all skill levels, is the lead junior instructor and the on course mentor for the Elite Junior Development Program at Aberdeen Glen. He spends his free time with his wife, two teenage children, new baby, and pet labrador on the golf course and at home in the Aberdeen Glen Subdivision.
PGA of BC Professional Spotlight
Why did you become a PGA of Canada Professional?
I became a PGA Professional to help grow the game and to encourage others to enjoy this amazing sport.
What is the most rewarding part about being a member of the PGA of BC?
The most rewarding part for me is helping new players discover the game for the first time, especially in this current climate where so many new faces are coming to the game.
At which golf facility did you first begin working within the industry, and who was the PGA Professional?
Aberdeen Glen Golf Course with Ian Wrynn.
Who has influenced your career the most, and how?
Ian Wrynn the Director of Golf/Head Professional at Aberdeen Glen Golf Course. He has been an amazing mentor and has really helped to lead me down the road to being a better Professional. We have known each other for 15 years so our relationship started back when I was just a junior and I have really grown under his guidance.
What career path led you to where you are today?
Being raised in the industry and from a small town it was very easy to make the move into a Professional position. After I hung up the competitive sticks I knew I wanted to help people learn to love the game and to play it better, so becoming a Teaching Professional in my hometown was an amazing way to do that.
Which significant accomplishments are you most proud of?
There are a few for sure. Being the first pro, that we know of, to join the Golfathon for ALS in the North last year was pretty cool. Getting my Class "A" Status with the PGA of Canada was very fulfilling as well.
If you had to share one piece of advice with a new member of our Association, what would it be?
Use. The. Network. Everyone in this organization has been where you are and they all would love to help a new member find their way. Reach out and you will be surprised just how many people lend a helping hand.
What is your most cherished golf memory?
I have three. Playing golf with my dad in Hawaii when I was 17, winning a team event with my grandpa in Palm Springs when I was getting ready to go to Q-School, and last year playing golf with my wife and two teenagers while our newborn was sitting in the cart watching.
What is your favourite golf course in British Columbia, and why?
A bit of a homer answer here but Aberdeen Glen Golf Course is still at the top of my list. A course of our calibre in Northern BC is just insane. Elevation changes, manicured greens and a true championship feel make me extremely proud to call this course home.
What is a common misconception that golfers make about what your job entails?
That we should be playing a lot. Three of seven days a week, I am at the course for 12 hours teaching and working behind the counter. I would like to play more but I love seeing our patrons improve and enjoy playing even more.