A lunch was held on 9th January at The Marriott Meon Valley Hotel and Country Club, Hampshire, to mark John Jacobs OBE becoming President of The Organisation of Golf Range Owners.
The occasion was unfortunately missing one key ingredient – the man himself. John was taken ill the day before with a severe bout of flu and was confined to bed on doctor’s orders. He was extremely disappointed not to be present but is making a good recovery and will be up and about soon.
Peter Alliss very kindly agreed to accept the presentation, on behalf of John, from former PGA captain John Stirling.
Fighting for simple, yet correct teaching styles, John not only taught thousands of golfers personally but also instructed hundreds of teachers on how to teach. He still teaches several national golf squads and international tournament players. John was also responsible, via Athlon Golf, for introducing golf ranges and golf centres across Britain in the ’sixties.
Rohan Barnett, managing director of OGRO said, “John Jacobs’ contribution to the golf range industry has been enormous and it is completely fitting that he is our first President. We are honoured that he has accepted.”
“I am sorry I cannot attend the ceremony for John to become the first president of the OGRO, “ said Shelby Futch, chief executive of John Jacobs Golf Schools, USA. “I think it is a great selection since John was on the cutting edge of golf learning centres years before they became popular with the average golfer.”
OGRO www.ogro.org.