Jim started his golf career early on right here at the Lake Chelan Golf Course taking lessons from Von Smith and Dale Southwick in the late 1970s. He attended Chelan High School and graduated in 1985. During High School, he and his golfing classmates tried to get the school to add Golf as a Spring sport, and in 1986 Chelan finally got its first golf team, just one year after they graduated. Jim attended Eastern Washington University for two years and being undecided about a career path, started work in 1987 at the Lake Chelan Golf Course. Jim quickly discovered that a career in the golf industry was tailor-made for him. After many hours on the course and practice tee with Tom Smith, father of then Head Professional Von Smith, Jim moved to Las Vegas to further his dreams.
Jim gained employment at Angel Park Golf Club, a 36-hole Arnold Palmer course built by developer Steve Wynn. O.B. Sports took over management of Angel Park and Jim advanced from Assistant to Head of Instruction and club fitter. In 1991 Jim returned to the Lake Chelan Golf Course, gained membership in the PGA in 1992, and in 1994 became the Head Golf Professional. During his tenure, he coached the Chelan High golf team for 16 years. During those years Chelan obtained 5 individual state titles and various team trophies as high as 2nd in 2007. The 16-year run of state appearances has yet to be matched.