Cascade’s golfer Jackson Jacob looking for fresh links in 2021
The Cascades men’s golf team has faced many challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Jackson Jacob is optimistic about their play and their recent success during the B.C. Fall Rivalry Series against the University of British Columbia and their Okanagan team from UBCO. He answered some questions about golf, COVID-19, and his future goals.
You joined the Cascades golf team for 2020-21 after playing at the University of Idaho; how has the transition been for you?
I was excited at the prospect of going to UFV based on what I had known about the coaches and the people that went there, how their seasons had gone, and their reputation for success. Since I started on the team, it’s been a seamless transition; I feel like I fit right in, and it helps that I have past experience with almost all of them. I’ve been impressed with Aaron Pauls, the new head coach; he’s been a great help and has done a great job with us in the fall.
UFV men’s golf has had a successful fall, taking the B.C. Fall Rivalry Season against UBC and UBCO. How’s your game?
Yes, I think our results show that. Our team, and the other teams, were shooting significantly low scores at all of the events. People were surprised that we [the golf team] were even having tournaments because everything’s shut down, but we’ve been treating our exhibitions like true tournaments. We have been preparing accordingly, and I think our results show that.
How has COVID-19 impacted your game?
COVID-19 has impacted my golf game quite a bit because of how it cut down all of our competitions, and our ability to travel and have a legitimate season. COVID-19 has steered me in other directions of life away from golf a little bit. I’m spending more time with family, working in the family business, spending more time doing other things. It’s taken away from my game more than I had expected it to.
I’m hoping for the refresh of normal competition to start up again for me to be able to dive back into my normal routine. Before COVID-19, my number one priority was always the next tournament coming up. I have to practise. I have to be prepared for the three or four days a week I’ll be at lessons, training, or whatever’s needed. I’m on the golf course most days. I play on the golf course more than I practise. It has definitely changed the way my day-to-day goes.
What are some of your future goals in golf?
I think a Golf Canada national championship with the Cascades would be pretty spectacular this year. Our team has big goals. We’re excited to succeed and we have the capabilities to do it. I think there’s a big difference between wanting to do something, having a dream to do something, and having a realistic goal. We have it as a realistic goal. If golf turns into a career for me, I’d like it to be playing professional golf.
Jackson Jacob. (Dan Kinvig/UFV Athletics)
Steve is a third-year BFA creative writing/visual arts student who’s been a contributing writer, staff writer and now an editor at The Cascade. He's always found stories and adventures but now has the joy of capturing and reporting them.
