Jason Caron’s last five months are quite the story, one he finds hard to process. The sentiment he expressed was laced with sarcasm: “What am I supposed to do now? This ruins all my dreams. Now I have to play golf.” Caron, who has enjoyed a fulfilling career as a club professional on Long Island, is on the brink of a remarkable new chapter, as he prepares to compete in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship next week on the PGA Tour Champions. This marks his first full tour card in 16 years, which adds a layer of astonishment to his excitement.
At 52, Caron serves as the head professional at The River Mill Club. His breakthrough came when he tied for fourth in the Senior PGA Championship in late May, and that performance opened doors for subsequent tournaments in the Champions series, including another tie for third place in one event, followed by a fourth-place tie in another. Recently, he shot a 68 to tie for third in the Simmons Bank Championship, ensuring his spot in the upcoming championship in Phoenix and securing a full tour card for 2025. This unexpected success has been a delightful surprise for him.
“Honestly, I never considered competing at this level again,” Caron mentioned after arriving home in Oyster Bay, New York. “Going to Q-school was never in my plans. I just went out there to play some golf at the Senior PGA, and suddenly, everything changed.” The disbelief in his voice was palpable when he said, “I still can’t comprehend how this happened. It’s not something that was supposed to happen to me.”
Caron stepped away from the pursuit of a tour card in 2009 after a decade filled with 231 events—spending two full years on the PGA Tour and the rest on what is now the Korn Ferry Tour. During that time, he met LPGA professional Liz Janangelo, and after they wed, the couple chose to focus on teaching rather than competitive play. Caron worked at Siwanoy Country Club while Liz took a position at the Country Club of Purchase. Eventually, both were hired by The River Mill Club, allowing them to maintain successful careers in golf while raising two daughters. The pair enjoy a fulfilling life, particularly in a region recognized for housing some of the game’s top talents.
Caron’s unexpected journey took a turn at Benton Harbor, Michigan, when he performed excellently at the Senior PGA Championship, tying for fourth. “If you asked anyone to pick a golfer who’d finish in the top 36 on the PGA Tour Champions, he wouldn’t even be on the list,” said his longtime friend Brett Quigley. “It’s not that he wasn’t good enough; it wasn’t something he had been aiming for. He and Liz have built a wonderful life at Mill River.” Quigley added, “Jason has always been a good player, which highlights the razor-thin line between making it and not.”
Initially, earning this status was far from Caron’s mind until the strong finish at Benton Harbor. Shortly afterward, he learned he was seventh alternate for another Champions event. While preparing for the Long Island Open, a friend informed him that he might have a legitimate shot at competing. He hurried to Wisconsin, secured a spot, and finished tied for 31st. Following that, he was the fourth alternate for the Rogers Charity Classic in Canada, managed to get in, and tied for third. Impressed, Jim Furyk granted him an exemption to another Champions event in Jacksonville, where he again tied for fourth. The momentum continued from there.
Out of the 27 tournaments, Caron participated in only nine but still managed to accumulate over $616,243 in earnings. This remarkable performance has led him to the season finale, where he will be competing against notable names like Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, and Vijay Singh. “Finishing in the top 36 on the Champions Tour is a significant accomplishment,” Quigley noted. “Achieving that in such a limited fashion while juggling responsibilities as a club pro is extraordinarily impressive.”
Caron maintains his role as a club pro, which he considers a dream job. “Quigley has shown me what the 2025 schedule could look like, and I can see some exciting opportunities. We typically open The River Mill Club in early May, and there are about six events I might be able to play, along with some majors,” he said. The support from the club has been tremendous; they have allowed him to pursue his passion as long as he’s available, and he has received a lot of positive feedback from the members regarding his achievements.
For Caron, this journey has turned into a thrilling escapade. After believing he had put the tour lifestyle behind him 15 years ago, the prospect of competing again wasn’t a goal he was chasing. Perhaps the fresh perspective of playing purely for enjoyment rather than intense pressure is making a significant difference in his performance. This new chapter is unfolding, but he has no intentions of abandoning his responsibilities at Mill River. “I have two young daughters, and I’d rather spend my time with them than chase a golf ball,” he said.
The balance in his life just became even more rewarding.
