The most recent winners of the PGA of America Professional Devel opment and Bill Strausbaugh Awards – 2025’s recipients Michael Jacobs and Jason Epstein, respectively, and 2024 honorees Dean Kandle and Jim Smith Jr. – have been recognized for their dedication to helping their peers excel through education, mentoring and leadership.
All four have cited networking as a key factor in their career journeys, and they have helped countless other PGA of America Members move closer to their own personal and professional goals.
PGA Magazine Senior Editor Don Jozwiak convened a virtual roundtable with Jacobs, Epstein, Kandle and Smith to discuss their networking experiences and advice for their peers.
PGA Magazine: Why is networking so important to golf professionals, and why is it important for them to take advantage of this opportunity?
Michael Jacobs: Nothing negative ever comes from networking. In fact, it’s often the most meaningful way to grow – not just as a teacher or coach, but as a leader within the PGA community. With so many golfers across the United States and around the world, there’s more than enough opportunity for all of us. Too often, there’s a tendency to become territorial about students or club members, but the truth is: there’s plenty to go around. Sharing ideas, best practices and even referring students or members when appropriate doesn’t diminish your role – it elevates it. It shows your commitment to the profession and to the greater golfing community. When you network, you’re not only building stronger professional relationships, you’re also demonstrating to your members and peers that you’re confident, collaborative and focused on helping others succeed.
Jason Epstein: One of the beautiful things about the PGA of America is that the Association is filled with so many good people who are willing to help each other. We all share common challenges and common opportunities, so my thought process about networking has always been, “If I can meet other people and learn from them, I’m going to get better at what I do, and that will lead to more success.” It’s never been any more strategic than that, but to me, life’s journey is richer when we share it with others. Building these connections and helping each other succeed is very rewarding.
Dean Kandle: Networking is such a big part of our Association. You know, we’re 30,000-plus golf professionals, but having a network makes it seem like a smaller, more close-knit fraternity. That gives you a real opportunity to build strong relationships, and you never know where those are going to take you over the course of your career. We all have examples of different relationships popping up at various points in our careers that you could have never anticipated when you were younger. That’s a prime reason why we should all work to build relationships and networks, because you never know where you and your career might go in the future.
Jim Smith Jr.: People who think it’s only what they know are mistaken. It’s who you know that gets you jobs. I mean, you have to know your stuff – but if you don’t have a network, you’re going to struggle. I tell the young professionals I meet that developing relationships is literally the most important thing they can do, and you need to do that as much as possible.
PGA Magazine: What do you find to be the most beneficial ways to build a network as a PGA of America Golf Professional?
Epstein: There are so many great built-in networking opportunities in terms of seminars and events. I think the key is being willing to get out of your comfort zone. We can all fall into the trap of staying in a circle of people we know and are comfortable around, but there’s so much we can learn from extending your hand and introducing yourself to someone you don’t know. For me, that’s been getting involved in PGA REACH programs, like PGA HOPE, and running in the New York City Mara thon, which was definitely outside my comfort zone but has connected me to a whole new group of amazing PGA of America Members. Once you make those new contacts, you need to maintain contact and make sure you’re part of each others’ communities.
Kandle: Getting involved in Section events is something that’s really helped in my career as I’ve built relationships. Playing in tournaments is a really big opportunity in that regard. You spend four hours playing 18 holes with a fellow PGA of America Member, you really get to know them – and that could easily be somebody who could end up helping you down the road. That’s advice I always give to associates and assistants, especially if they’re new to town or the Section. Get out there and play golf. It’s part of our business and likely the reason that person you’re meeting got into their profession, so take advantage of that shared experience as a way to build a relationship.
Smith: I tell my associates and assistants that they are networking every day with every single person they meet. That new member you talk to on the lesson tee? In 10 years, they might be the golf chairman who’s deciding on the next head professional. Every single interaction is an opportunity to leave a positive or negative impression, or no impression. The negative and no-impresssion, they don’t help you. So, take the extra minute to talk to someone and treat it like you’re interviewing with everybody every day.
Jacobs: As I approach the Quarter Century Club in my PGA Membership, one lesson stands out clearly: The best networking doesn’t happen through formal structures – it happens in the everyday moments when PGA Professionals simply show up and connect. You don’t need a special invitation or an official networking event. You just need to be there – at the PGA Show, at your Section meetings, and in those regular, boots-on-the-ground interactions where professionals gather, exchange ideas and get things done. The key is simple: Act like a professional, introduce yourself, listen, share and let relationships develop naturally. Some of my most valued friendships and professional connections didn’t come from structured programs, but from spontaneous conversations and genuine interactions with fellow PGA Professionals who were equally committed to their craft.
PGA Magazine: How has networking changed over the course of your career?
Kandle: Networking really is easier now than ever before. There are so many great ways to network online, like LinkedIn – you can keep track of what others are doing and also showcase your own achievements. I recommend creating a professional presence for yourself online so people can find it if they’re looking for more information about you. An online connection can be the beginning of a more personal connection that leads to picking up the phone and having a conversation or asking questions about a program they have at their facility. Those connections can really pay off for you down the road.
Smith: Twenty-five years ago, it was all face-to-face. That was great, but it also really limited your networking possibilities compared to today. Now, there’s no finite number to people who could be in your network. LinkedIn, Facebook, emails and texts – it’s led me to adjust how I network. Now I try to stay in contact with everyone I meet by can be as simple as wishing people a happy birthday, or just sending a quick note saying you’re there if they ever need anything. Sometimes it’s just good to hear from a friend, and other times it leads to a phone call about something important. We have all these tools at our disposal, and it’s up to us to use them.
Jacobs: Networking has evolved dramatically over the past couple of decades—something those of us in our mid-to-late 40s and beyond have witnessed firsthand. We’ve all lived through the digital revolution, and it’s reshaped how we connect, communicate and share our work with the world. When I think about how people discovered the work I’ve done – especially the scientific side of the golf swing and my collaborations with Dr. Steven Nesbit – much of that awareness came through social media. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram and Twitter gave my work visibility well beyond the golf community I interacted with directly. Whether you’re in a major city or a small town, the world has become more connected and more urbanized in terms of how we consume information. Social media gave me the ability to share ideas, answer questions, and spread the message behind Jacobs 3D and the science of the swing without needing to attend every event in person.
Epstein: I think it’s so much easier to stay in touch with your network now because of technology. It’s going to help you, and it’s going to help others. You might be struggling with something and find out that someone you know is going through a similar struggle. Talking with each other for support is going help both of you succeed. Between our phones and email, we have so many options to connect with each other. The face-to-face element is still so important, but it’s much easier to send someone a quick note with a question or to let them know you’re thinking of them.
PGA Magazine: What’s your strategy for prioritizing networking even when your schedule is hectic?
Smith: I created a system for myself, and it’s not for everyone – but it works for me. Instead of coming in at 7 a.m., I get into my office at 5:30 a.m. Then I can spend that 90 minutes catching up on office work and sending messages to people in my network. Then when 7 a.m. hits, I’m ready to get out of my office and spend time with my members and staff. It’s all about creating systems that provide you the time in your day to do what’s most important. It’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day demands on us, but nothing’s more important than networking. I include talking to members in networking, because if you want to have great relationships that help you do a better job, you want to have a great network of members. Not only will they support you every day at the club, but if you decide it’s time to look for your next job, they’ll be your references who you can rely upon for a recommendation that will mean a lot to a hiring committee.
Jacobs: You often hear people say, “I need to prioritize networking this year.” And while that’s a good intention, I don’t think networking is something you can just switch on like a New Year’s resolution. You can certainly put yourself out there more – show up at events, introduce yourself, follow up – but real networking happens through natural, consistent interaction over time. You can’t wake up one day and say, “I’m going to network the heck out of myself,” and expect meaningful results overnight. It’s not something you force. There has to be an authentic rhythm to it. It’s not about bombarding local professionals or trying to insert yourself into circles in a way that feels abrupt or inauthentic. Instead, think of it as a gradual rollout, something you integrate into your day-to-day presence in the industry.
Epstein: Look, we’re all busy. But carving out time for networking, for connection, is essential. I like to end each day by sending a few texts to people I might not have talked with lately, or making a phone call or two just to say hello and catch up. It doesn’t have to be strategic. Sometimes that leads to an important, meaningful discussion, and sometimes it’s just a chance to keep the relationship going and staying connected. We all benefit from getting a check-in from one of our people and knowing we have their support. That’s a powerful thing.
Kandle: I make sure to stay involved at the Section level, whether that’s being on committees or staying engaged through professional development events. And I’m never afraid to pick up the phone and ask a friend for advice on a situation. A lot of us had that situation early in our career where we got to that next job because someone recommended us, and that got our career on track. At this point in my career, I’m grateful for those who opened those doors for me, and I want to support others in the same way. —Don Jozwiak
