It is time for me to recognize a person I have known for many years but really didn’t fully appreciate the kindness and thoughtfulness she exhibits on a daily basis. Jacquelyn (Jacky) Brito is the PGA Golf Manager of the Lincoln Hills and Springdale golf courses in Birmingham, Michigan. Jacky is the smiling face that runs the golf operations at both clubs. Her friendly demeanor to help and assist all levels of golfers is very inviting and goes well beyond taking green fees or setting up tee times.
Last weekend, Jacky and her associates hosted a special golf outing that was a huge success, culminating in the donation of 870 pounds of food, including 40 turkeys with all sorts of Thanksgiving fixings, to Lighthouse of Pontiac, Michigan. The 8th annual Turkey Shoot was sold out both Saturday and Sunday and allowed 140 golfers to play a fun and unique two-person backward scramble nine-hole competition.
Luckily, the weather was perfect and the atmosphere was buzzing with golfers who were offered a nice drink to get their bodies primed for the shotgun start. Golfers were asked to bring turkeys and additional food provisions for the donation to Lighthouse. Jacky and her crew were perfect hosts for a day that included a complete Thanksgiving meal for all golfers following their rounds. All in all, it was a great time and provided a great way for golfers in our community to play a game they love (or hate) while donating to a worthwhile cause that provides families in need with a good meal.
Talking to Jacky earlier this week, I instantly heard what I should have known from her unceasing ability to help others with a better golf swing or awesome efforts to give back. Jacky told me her desire to give back to others came directly from her mom and dad. She said her family, which included five brothers and a sister, was always doing whatever was necessary to help others while they were growing up.
Jacky’s ingrained instinct to give back was part of her personality as she grew up. She worked at several top golf courses in Fort Lauderdale, Florida before moving to Michigan to help her mom out many years ago. She has been running the golf operations at both city courses for 11 years and has established many great golfing leagues and events for kids and adults in our community. Currently, she has 439 kids in the junior league program and provides time for students at both local high schools to use the courses to develop their game. She is always brainstorming about new events and ideas to bring golfers out to enjoy this crazy game.
The fun two-person backward scramble format was Jacky’s brainchild and has become a huge hit for golfers in and around Birmingham. Initially starting with 40-45 golfer in the early years, the Turkey Shoot now has golfers rushing to sign up for the annual event as well as other events Jacky and her crew put on each year. This year, the two Birmingham courses are on pace to have over 60,000 rounds of golf. Getting a big boost from the COVID pandemic, it now seems golf has kept its momentum going as golfers continue to seek opportunities to get out and play these two fun courses. Jacky is eager to help and teach anyone that is feeling the need to hit this dimpled sphere down a beautiful fairway.
I invite anyone that is interested in golf to call Jacky and she will get you set up to play this game we call golf.
Thanks Jacky, for all you do to help make our community better. We all appreciate your efforts.
Roger N. Steed
Jacky Brito Contact Information:
Email: jbrito@bhamgov.org
Phone: (248) 417-7774
