When Jacob Harris and his wife Lauren decided that five years in Perth was long enough, and it was time to bring his young family back to the Sunshine Coast, he gave little thought to where he might find a job.
He’d been Manager of Golf and Membership at Royal Perth Golf Club and, since mid-2023, acting General Manager of the highly rated club, and figured credentials like that would create some interest at a few golf clubs on the Sunshine Coast.
But when he discovered Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort was seeking a new Golf Manager to replace outgoing Peter Marchant, Jacob’s eyes lit up.
He’d grown up on the Sunshine Coast, worked for 13 years at Pelican Waters in a variety of roles, knew the quality of Noosa Springs, and was aware of the opportunity the role offered an ambitious young man.
“I’d always considered Noosa Springs to be the best golf course on the Sunshine Coast, and it’s a great thrill to be working here with this team,” he said.
As a junior Jacob had dreams of becoming a tournament player but, despite owning a low handicap as a 15-year-old, was savvy enough to know that he probably didn’t have the talent to become an Adam Scott or a Cameron Smith.
So he turned his attention to other parts of the golf industry. At 15 he landed his first job as an assistant in the Pelican Waters golf shop, cleaning carts, selling shirts and learning his craft. He took on every challenge that was offered and eventually became Golf Operations Manager.
Despite relocating to Perth in 2019, Jacob always planned to return home, where he and wife Lauren wanted their sons Noah, 5, and Maddox, 3, to go to school and experience the joys of growing up on the Sunshine Coast.
“It was just a matter of lucky timing that there was an opening at Noosa Springs,” he said.
Jacob, 32, is a university graduate with a bachelor degree in International Business and Studies and a wealth of experience in the golf industry.
While he has no plans for wholesale change, he is looking at systems and procedures within the booking area and at our golf events to see if the experience for members and guests can be improved.
He says he’s been having conversations with golfers and members of his team and ‘figuring where I fit in and what I can add.’
“This is a great opportunity for me and I’m delighted to be working with such a passionate and talented team.”
Club Manager Daniel Chandler said he was looking forward to Jacob contributing to the success of Noosa Springs.
“We look forward to the positive impact Jacob will make on our golf operations and the overall experience we provide to our members and guests,” he said.
Mr Chandler also thanked Peter Marchant for ‘his willingness to hit the ground running’ and wished him well for his future endeavours.
