Jared Wolfe is living the dream. Or at least he possibly will be next year.
Wolfe, a native of Louisville, Ky., who played his college golf at Murray State University, turned pro 10 years ago. His career has been one of belief in his ability, persistence, dedication and hard work to improve his game.
It’s finally paying off, though the 32-year-old and his wife had to take an introspective look at his game and determine if it was worthwhile to continue.
The couple’s life took a different outlook with the birth of their baby daughter. At that point, they had an honest and open discussion about his career and what the future may hold.
Their decision — one which has proven to be the right one — was that Wolfe had to qualify for either the Korn Ferry Tour or the PGA Tour. No more bouncing around on the mini-tour circuit.
SAVANNAH GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP: Scoreboard
That meant another year on the PGA Tour Latinoamerica to improve his status, and suddenly things started to click. Wolfe won once and finished third on the Legion of Merit standings, which qualified him for the Korn Ferry Tour.
Don’t look for any changes in Wolfe’s game or his lifestyle in one of the feel-good success stories of the year.
“We’re just going to continue doing what we’ve been doing,” said Wolfe, who resides in Ponte Vedre Beach, Florida. “As to lifestyle, we’re not going to change too much. We’re the same three people we were before.
“We’ll be starting a college fund and retirement fund,” Wolfe said. “This game has a lot of highs and lows. We’re just trying to enjoy it.”
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Wolfe has taken advantage of the opportunity in his third go-round on the Korn Ferry. He had previously played the tour in 2014, making the cut in two of 17 tournaments. He finished 131st in 2018, which sent him to the Latinoamerica Tour.
Wolfe came into this week’s Savannah Golf Championship fresh off a win at the Wichita Open last weekend. That left him fourth on the points list, which all but assures him of his PGA Tour card as the top 25 points leaders get the opportunity to move up. Heading into Sunday, he’s seven shots off the lead at 11 under. Evan Harmeling leads the way at 18 under.
The win in Wichita gave Wolfe an additional confidence boost in the way it came about.
“I just kept hitting some good shots and fought all the way to the end,” Wolfe said. “I made a lot of pars, had an eagle, and then got up and down on the last hole for the win.
“It was a first for me because it was the first time I had to make a putt to win. Other times when I’ve won it was by two or three shots, so that was pretty special.”
It was also Wolfe’s second win of the year as he had opened his season by winning The Bahamas Great Abaco Classic in January. Those two victories left him one short of getting a battlefield (automatic) promotion to the PGA Tour. He is having the best year of his career in earnings with $296,932.
He is trying for that elusive third win this Sunday in the Savannah Golf Championship at The Landings Club’s Deer Creek Course.
Wolfe went into the third round Saturday at 9-under par, four shots behind leaders Kevin Dougherty and Evan Harmeling.
When the round ended, Harmeling and Dougherty were still at the top, but Harmeling had a one-stroke lead at 18 under (6-67-67). Dougherty was next at 17 under (65-66, 68).
Wolfe (67-68-70) and former Armstrong State University standout Shad Tuten (67-66-72) were among those tied for 26th place at 11 under.
The next level
As to moving up in the ranks, Wolfe will have a certain degree of job security and, of course, the opportunity to enhance his earnings ability. Several former Korn Ferry Tour players have gone on to do well on the big tour, and Wolfe wants to add his name to the list.
“Having job security for the next two years at this level (Korn Ferry) and higher is huge,” Wolfe said. “I’m excited for where we’re going and we’re going to enjoy it.”
This is Wolfe’s second appearance in the Savannah Golf Championship. Two years ago, he finished in a tie for 75th place as he shot an even-par 288 to take home $1,265.
“The weather this year is perfect,” Wolfe said. “Two years ago (in April) it was cold, windy and miserable. They were tough conditions.”
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