PGA REACH CNY has hired Dakota Holbrook, a 23-year-old native of Jordan, NY, as the 2026 WORKS Fellow.
Holbrook graduated in 2024 from SUNY Cortland with his bachelor’s degree, where he also founded and captained the university’s club basketball team for three years. In this leadership role, Holbrook oversaw all aspects of team operations, including scheduling, budgeting, fundraising, travel coordination, injury management, and communication with campus recreation and administration. This experience provided him with early exposure to organizational leadership, program development, and operational decision-making within a sport setting.
He later earned his Master of Science in Athletic Leadership while competing as a Division III basketball graduate student-athlete at a small institution in Vermont. While balancing the demands of academics and athletics, Holbrook earned All-Academic honors, was named to the North Atlantic Conference Sportsmanship Team, and received National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Honors Court recognition. In addition, he coached youth basketball, managed summer sports programs, worked for Syracuse Football production, and completed his graduate capstone through a Fall 2025 semester internship with SUNY Cortland Athletics, where Holbrook gained hands-on experience in collegiate athletic operations, event management, production and marketing.
Sport has played a central role in shaping both who Holbrook is and the professional path he has chosen. Growing up a competitive athlete instilled discipline, persistence, and a strong appreciation for continuous learning and growth. Through both athletic and academic experiences, Holbrook has learned how to perform under pressure, lead with purpose, and grow through both success and failure. Golf, in particular, has held meaningful importance, providing balance and clarity during stressful periods and serving as an important source of connection during the COVID-19 pandemic, when opportunities for community and shared experiences were limited.
“I chose to pursue the PGA WORKS Fellowship with PGA REACH CNY because the organization’s mission aligns closely with my values. I believe sport is a powerful vehicle for mental and physical growth, connection, opening doors, and supporting long-term personal development across all ages and backgrounds.
I am excited to learn from the Professionals within the CNY PGA and gain firsthand exposure to the behind-the-scenes work that drives the golf industry. Through the PGA REACH fellowship, I look forward to continuing my development as a leader, leveraging my background as a student-athlete and emerging sport administrator to make a lasting impact on both the game of golf and the individuals it serves. Sport has provided me with invaluable lessons and opportunities, and I am grateful for the chance to now give back by helping others experience those same benefits.”
Welcome to the team, Dakota!