Dear Industry Colleague,

As you will see from our lead article, this month we are celebrating John Jacob’s 100th birthday. He was a cracking guy and hugely influential in the golf industry. I don’t think people recognise fully how important it has been to have somebody who showed the world how to play golf properly, and more importantly, taught other golf professionals to teach an uncomplicated, simple and effective method so that millions of golfers can now do well with their efforts, rather than spend hours of frustration hoping to improve yet not making any progress.

He was also a remarkable administrator and someone who used his intelligence and charm to unite golf professionals in Britain and Europe whilst forging different paths for tournament golfers and PGA professionals. We all owe John something and I have only fond memories of him.

The recent run of good weather has brought golfers back to courses and allowed courses to recover from a remarkably sticky winter. Hooray. Congratulations to Richard Mansell for his first win on the DP World Tour and also to Viktor Hovland for ending a long period of poor form. 

Elsewhere, there seems to be much to be thankful for in the golf industry. And…. it doesn’t seem that we’re going to be directly troubled by tariffs from the other side of the Atlantic.

Best wishes, Colin Jenkins