Jack McLeod – our new PGA professional.

All of us love a success story in sport, particularly when the pathway to achieving a childhood dream includes embracing and overcoming obstacles that life deals individuals.

Jack McLeod is well known to all members of Mona Vale Golf club. He is a delightful young man, very personable and wears a happy smile as he greets us to the course. We are fortunate to have him as an integral part of our club.

Jack, now 28, was born with profound hearing loss requiring a Cochlear implant initially as a toddler, then another implant at age 11yrs. He has overcome speech and learning difficulties which hindered his early education. Amongst many sports introduced to Jack by his supportive and loving family, golf soon became a favourite. Driven by an early passion for the game, his skills rapidly developed. He went on to play Major Pennants with Bonnie Doon and also won a world deaf golf championship in 2012.

Inspired and driven by these successes, Jack continued to follow his dream to one day become a professional golfer, undertaking his trainee ship at MVGC. He has worked hard under the watchful eye of Gerard Kelly and Steve Jackson. He won the NSW trainee order of merit in his last year and then successfully negotiated the qualifying process to become a member of the PGA of Australia. Wonderful effort.

Jack has been key in running our Junior development program at MVGC over 4 years and his efforts are greatly appreciated by parents, members, staff and the board. His supportive coaching style has resulted in much improved performance of juniors and cadets under his watchful eye. We now have a competitive Encourage shield team at MVGC.

We as members of the club now have an opportunity to support Jack whilst he works to establish himself on the PGA Tour of Australia. The reality is that touring, playing and surviving this challenge not only means loads of practice, but also a need for financial support to further his ambitions. As Gerard says, “to live the dream”.

To assist Jack, we have commenced a few initiatives. One I believe will be key is the establishment of a funding portal through the Australian Sports Foundation. Donation’s via this portal are tax deductable, and as the end of financial year is approaching, now is a great opportunity to take a positive and meaningful input to Jack’s professional development. Please find the link to the portal below.

I encourage you all to consider participating in our fund-raising efforts to assist Jack achieve his dreams.

Yours

Graeme MacDougal

Captain MVGC