BEDMINSTER TOWNSHIP, N.J. (June 22, 2021) — The New Jersey PGA Section (NJPGA) and its charitable arm, the New Jersey Golf Foundation (NJGF)—in conjunction with PGA REACH, the 501(c)(3) charitable foundation of the PGA of America—has named U.S. Air Force Veteran Jared Forest (Jackson, NJ) as a PGA WORKS Fellow.

Forest, who served in the U.S. Air Force from 2010-16 is part of the 2021 PGA WORKS Fellow class. Established in 2017, the PGA WORKS Fellowship is a grant program facilitating nine-12-month paid positions for recent college graduates. Focused on engaging an inclusive demographic of participants—with consideration to gender, age, race, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, disability and Veteran status—the PGA WORKS Fellowship is designed to establish a strong bench of talent prepared to ascend into key employment positions within the business of golf.

As a PGA WORKS Fellow, Forest’s primary responsibilities will be to support the Foundation’s full lineup of programs headlined by PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) the flagship military program of the NJGF, which introduces golf to Veterans with disabilities to enhance their physical, mental, social and emotional well-being. Forest will also provide operations support for NJPGA tournaments and events.

After graduating from Jackson Memorial High School, Forest joined the Air Force in 2010 where he was primarily stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in Edwards, CA as a member of the 412th Security Forces Squadron. During his service, he graduated from the Community College of the Air Force with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. After serving 2 deployments and 13 months in deployed locations, Forest received the Air Force Achievement Medal for his action in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. 

In 2016, after 6 years of service, Forest decided it was time to pursue his love for sports and continued his education at Temple University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Recreation Management. His passion for sports led him to serve as a General Analyst in the Temple University Sports Industry Research Center, Player Personnel Manager for the Philadelphia Soul of the Arena Football League and the Communications Coordinator for the New York Guardians of the XFL. Today, he is currently enrolled at the University of Florida as he pursues a Master of Science in Sport Management with a concentration in Athlete Development.

"I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to work with the New Jersey Section of the PGA and the New Jersey Golf Foundation,” said Forest. “It has always been my goal to translate my experiences and background in sports in a way that will help my brothers and sisters in the Veteran sector. I am looking forward to aiding in whatever way I can to continue to expand the mission of the New Jersey Golf Foundation as it positively impacts lives and communities through the game of golf.” 

“As a military Veteran and a passionate sports enthusiast, Forest will be instrumental in leading the continued growth of our successful PGA HOPE program, while supporting core programs and special events for the NJ Section and NJ Golf Foundation,” said New Jersey Golf Foundation Executive Director Chris Hunt. 

The PGA WORKS Fellowship is a nine-12-month paid position, funded by PGA REACH, which currently hosts Fellows in the following PGA Sections: Carolinas, Connecticut, Gateway, Metropolitan, Michigan, Middle Atlantic, New Jersey, Northern Ohio, Southern Ohio, Western New York and South Florida. Forest is the fourth PGA WORKS Fellow for the New Jersey Section. 

For more information on PGA REACH, visit pgareach.org.

Contact:  

Dave Miller | New Jersey Section, PGA of America | dmiller@pgahq.com

Jared Minski | Mastro Communications, inc. | jared@mastrocomm.com 

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