Jordan LeBlanc, PGA - We Are Golf
Q&A with Jordan LeBlanc, PGA
Why did you become a PGA Professional?
"My love of the game of golf started at a very young age, playing with my grandfather back in New Orleans. I took a break from the game to focus on baseball through my teens. When I got out of the US Army in 2014, I was in search of peace of mind. I found it through the game of golf. My first interaction with a PGA Professional was in Houston with PGA Member, Matt Swanson. I was instantly fascinated with his ability to connect with his students, and I loved the thought of each day bringing a new challenge in Golf Operations. My wife and I relocated to Denver in 2015, and I applied at Buffalo Run. I have been here ever since."
How has PGA HOPE impacted your life?
"PGA HOPE has given my career a defined purpose. We started HOPE Programming at Buffalo Run in 2019-2020. In 2023, I was asked to become a National Instructor Trainer for the PGA HOPE National Team. After travelling to over 30 different PGA Sections between 2023 and 2024, I successfully certified over 250 PGA Members/Associates in PGA HOPE. In 2024, I was asked to become the Lead Trainer for the PGA HOPE National team, a role in which I gladly accepted. I lead a team of 7 PGA HOPE National trainers. I am now responsible for scheduling ALL PGA HOPE Instructor Training sessions for the entire country. This role requires me to communicate with Section Leads and PGA Professionals from all over the country and coordinate training in their section."
What does it mean to you to support those who serve and vets through PGA HOPE?
"It means everything to me. As a veteran and a PGA Member, I have the honor of seeing both sides of the coin. I see the impact that PGA HOPE makes on a local and national scale. This program literally saves live and I have seen it firsthand."
Why do you love golf? And when did that passion begin?
"Birds chirping, dew on the grass, and the sound of the ball rolling into the cup. I love this game to its core, and it has brought me so much joy in such a short period of time. The challenge the game provides, the camaraderie between players, and being outdoors is the perfect trifecta for clearing one's mind. This is truly the greatest game ever played."
How did your coaches impact your playing career?
"I did not get much instruction growing up, most of my growth came from playing with my grandfather. He focused more on teaching me the etiquette of the game and the right way to play, rather than focusing on fundamentals."
Do you emulate your coaching style after any of your coaches? Who and how?
"I remember the first lesson I shadowed at my first golf job, Swanson's Golf Center, in Houston. The thing that stood out to me was the connection between the PGA Professional, Darryl Parrot, and his student. It was WAY deeper than just golf. Darryl was interested in what made this student tick, and he genuinely cared. I try to emulate that in my instruction."
What is your single best memory being a coach?
"My best memory is the 2025 PGA HOPE Secretary's Cup. Myself and four veterans from our HOPE Program were chosen to represent our section in Charlotte, NC. The looks on the veteran's faces throughout this adventure were nothing less than magic. Coming together as a team to face adverse weather, travelling together, just getting to know the veterans more, I could go on forever about how special this weekend was."
What is your coaching philosophy?
"I believe anyone can play the game of golf. Whether you are standing, sitting, hitting with two arms, or one, this is a game for everyone."
If you didn't become a PGA of America Golf Professional, what would you have done professionally?
"I believe I would have gone to work for the Department of Defense as a civilian contractor. Most likely for Raytheon or a similar company."
How does golf impact your life?
"Golf impacts my life every day. I spend most of my days at the golf course, either working or playing with my friends and my 6-year-old son. I watch golf at home, and most of my social media algorithms revolve around content about the game. I love it and would not have it any other way."
Why is the game of golf great?
"It is a true test of a person's ability to adapt and overcome. Golf is not so much about the good shots that you hit, but more about the bad ones. How well you can control your emotions and focus when needed. The game tests a person's integrity, as you call penalties on yourself. By the end of a round of golf with someone, you have a pretty good idea of what kind of person they are."
Testimonials from Players
"Jordan has been an incredible PGA HOPE instructor and someone I’m genuinely grateful to have learned from. From day one, he created an environment that was welcoming, supportive, and motivating; not just as a coach, but as a veteran himself who truly cares about the veterans he works with.
The 2025 Secretary’s Cup was especially impactful for me, and a big reason for that was Jordan’s leadership and preparation. He helped make the experience feel meaningful and confidence-building, not intimidating. The way he balanced instruction, encouragement, and camaraderie made a lasting impression and elevated the entire event."
~ Jeremiah James, PGA HOPE Graduate and US Army Veteran
"Jordan, you are a truly gifted leader—steady, purposeful, and uniquely positioned to guide this program across the line of departure.. Your clarity of vision and calm confidence create momentum, but it’s your humanity that sets you apart.
Your inclusiveness has been genuinely healing for me. You create space where people feel seen, heard, and valued, and that matters more than you may realize. Together, I believe we can help our members understand the realities many veterans carry with them—the alienation, the pain, the survivor’s guilt, and the physical or emotional limitations that trauma can impose. Those experiences don’t disappear when the uniform comes off, and acknowledging them with empathy is powerful.
We carry an incredibly important message—one that reaches far beyond instruction or technique. This program may offer more than just the swing, more than just a moment in time. It has the potential to restore connection, purpose, and hope—and in some cases, it may quite literally save a veteran’s life.
Thank you again for your leadership and your heart. I am grateful for you and truly look forward to supporting you in any way I can as we move forward together.”
~ Thomas Parks, PGA Associate and Marine Veteran
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