Jim grew up in Kentucky and is a graduate of Vanderbilt University with a BA in Communications. He was an All-SEC performer on the golf team and made a brief attempt to play professionally, highlighted by a season on the Sunshine Tour in South Africa. He then made the decision to enter the business side of golf and had a 26-year career at the top ranked public facility in Tennessee -Hermitage Golf Course in Nashville where he served as GM/Director of Golf.
In 2006, Jim and his wife Beth were diagnosed with cancer 6 months apart. After that battle, Jim began sharing his faith journey and wrote the book Life On The Porch. Since then he has spoken to groups of all types about his progression from the “comfortable porch” of his life, to a life driven by the desire to reach, grow, and do more.
In addition to speaking and writing, Jim remains active in the PGA of America, where he has served on the state and national levels. He has spoken around the country on various topics relating to the golf industry, including, growth of the game, customer service, third-party vendors, marketing and technology. Jim was the 2013 Tennessee PGA Golf Professional of the Year and currently serves as President of the Tennessee PGA.
After his career in golf, he left the comfort of his “regular” job and started his own company -Jim Vernon Ventures. As a writer and speaker, his style is warm, funny, and down to earth. He has a story of perseverance and inspiration that resonates and he continues to share it with the hope it will impact lives in a positive way.
Jim lives in Nashville with his wife Beth and their two daughters Bailey and Anna.