MELBOURNE, Fla. (April 2, 2015) - Former Eastern Florida State College Titans golfer Jacob Davis has been named to the NJCAA Division I Men’s Golf Hall of Fame.
Davis graduated from Brevard Community College in 2004, and went on to Florida State University where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 2006.
He joins former BCC head coach Floyd Horgen, who led the Titans to seven national team championships, and former BCC golfer and PGA Tour pro Paul Azinger in the hall.
A two-time NJCAA Division I All-America, Davis won the 2004 individual national championship in Dodge City, Kansas after finishing sixth in 2003.
During Davis’ two years at BCC (now Eastern Florida State College) he won six individual tournament titles as well as recording 12 top-five finishes in 20 collegiate tournaments. In those tournaments every round Davis posted counted toward his team’s total score. His final scoring average over those two years was 71.9.
Davis is a 2002 graduate of DeLand High School. He is married to Christina and they are parents to sons Sawyer, 3, and Wyatt, 9 months. Davis works as a sales manager for an oilfield service company in Texas and naturally still plays golf.
“Golf is my passion and has given me so much,” Davis said. “It's a lifestyle for me not just a game. The biggest lesson I have learned in golf is you have to take what you have and use it.
“It's about your bad shots not your good ones. Don't try being like anyone else or changing what you have been given. Trust your own abilities and refine them. It's OK to be open to new information but always filter it with your core beliefs and then take action. I learned this the hard way.”
His selection came as a surprise.
“My first thought when I heard I was selected was ‘why’ to be honest,” Davis said. “I'm truly humbled and grateful for the opportunity BCC allowed me. I give all the credit to my high school golf coach John Zeoli who arranged my meeting with who I consider now a mentor, (Titans head coach) Jamie Howell.
“As a whole, BCC and Jamie Howell’s coaching system allowed me to grow up and learn that hard work pays. He also gave me confidence because of his belief in me and the entire team, scholarship or not.
“I got the feeling Jamie wanted to win, but his primary objective was to see his students grow personally. I really liked that and thrived in that environment. My two years at BCC I used to keep my goals hung up on my bedroom door. One of the top goals was to win an individual NJCAA Championship.”
Davis is one of seven Titans to win an individual national title.
“After winning in Dodge City I got in the rental car with my mom and I remember looking over at her and saying ‘it happened,’" Davis said.
“It was one of the most surreal things I have experienced in my life. The fact that my mom was there was all the better. She sacrificed so much for me to have the opportunity to play golf at BCC and FSU and go to school full time without having to work. She was, as was Jamie's father Richard Howell, my rock.”