“You have to be mentally tough in golf,” says Cote, who first played the game at age 17. “I’ve always made the effort to make mental toughness the best part of my game. When conditions are the hardest, I play better. I used to be a runner, and when we had to run in the cold, heat, mud, or snow I thought: if I can get ‘extra up’ for these conditions, I can even out the talent gap.” Cote has built a career in golf that is a testament to his mental toughness as both a player and a teacher. 

Though he didn’t play in high school or college, as a golf professional, Cote shows a number of impressive highlights. He qualified for the National Club Professional Championships in 2002 and is a member of the 2002 Challenge Cup Team. He finished fifth in Connecticut Player of the Year points last year and took 2nd in the Connecticut Club Professional Championships along with 3rd in the Connecticut PGA Championship. Cote finished 1st at the Del Kinney Pro-Pro and was once a runner-up in the Assistants Match Play Championships. Competing and succeeding at that level with consistency requires talent and smarts; Cote emphasizes the latter but clearly has both. 

“I remember being on the first playoff hole at Stone Harbor in New Jersey this summer,” says Cote. It was the Regional Qualifier for the National Club Professional Championship, and Cote had just hit his drive up against a tree. He punched out backward with one hand to the 150-yard marker for his second shot. He needed to get close to save par. “I would have to hold the ball against a stiff left to right wind,” recalls Cote. “I played the ball back of center, choked down on an eight iron a couple of inches and trusted it. I hit it to one foot. Best golf shot I ever hit! Here I come Valhalla…” chuckles Cote. You can never count him out. 

Cote displays the same level of grit and determination when it comes to the success of his students. Not to mention the smarts. He approaches each lesson with logic and inspiration geared toward the student’s specific needs. “Generally, my students say I have a likable personality, and I can tailor the delivery of my instruction to each person's method of learning and personality type,” says Cote. With beginners, Cote recommends they take lessons at the proper increments. “Most amateurs either over do lessons or don't take enough,” notes Cote. “One every other week will suffice, depending on a person’s ambitions.” His goals for intermediate players include keeping the ball between the tree lines and eliminating the three putts. Cote helps advanced players play to their strengths, practice their weakness and become deadly inside 100 yards. 

“In a lesson with me, a person will experience an enjoyable atmosphere, and a promise that through teamwork, we can achieve any realistic goal they set,” says Cote. He demonstrated this with a student he remembers as “The Shanking Lefty.” 

“Gene had been playing golf for more than sixty years and had never taken a lesson,” shares Cote. “So when he approached me about taking one, I was honored.” According to Cote, Gene was shanking the ball so badly, he was almost whiffing and nearly hitting himself with the ball. “Gene was very unorthodox, sporting a wide, closed stance, a weak right hand and strong left. He stood with arms stretched out from his body,” describes Cote. “It was as if he was reaching into a pond for a lost water ball.” Cote began by asking Gene if he knew were he was striking the club when he shanked. Gene said of course he knew, right there on the tip of the club. Cote painted the next five balls green and let him shank them all. He then asked Gene to look at his club and tell him what he thought. Gene could not believe it when he saw all the green marks on the hosel, not the tip. Cote asked him what he thought we should do, and Gene suggested standing further away from the ball. Cote explained that if he stood any further from the ball, Cote would have to hold his trousers from behind so he didn't fall over. “I asked gene to move two inches closer to the ball and feel balanced with his weight on the balls of his feet,” says Cote. “From there I simply suggested to him that he swing the toe of the golf club through the dimple that was closest to his feet. After five of ten balls gene was crushing his seven iron well over 100 yards,” finishes Cote. 

In addition to solving student’s problems and providing the answers they seek, Cote has a knack for building confidence in his students because of what they are able to accomplish. Part of mental toughness, according to Cote, is trusting your abilities. Without solutions and answers, it’s difficult to have confidence in what you are trying to accomplish.  

“As a teacher, the best reward is making other people happy,” says Cote. “I simply cannot stand it if a student feels unsuccessful about his/her game.” The big picture also keeps Cote motivated and confident while teaching and playing. “Making my wife, daughter, family and friends proud of me is important. This motivates me to be the best husband, father and golf professional possible.” 

Though his own practice time is limited, Cote keeps his game in the best shape he can by concentrating 110 percent while hitting fewer balls. He will also carry a club around and “do lot of dry swings,” working on feeling proper positions. “Most amateurs should work more with feeling proper positions without worrying how the ball will fly,” says Cote. His favorite shot on the course is a 60-70-yeard wedge. “I love to try to dunk those babies!” adds Cote. If he could do that at Wannamoisett Country Club in Rumford Rhode Island, Cote would be in heaven, as that is his favorite course to play. In fact, Ben Hogan once said it's the best par 69 he ever played. “Who’d ever argue with Hogan?” smiles Cote. 

A teaching professional for 8 years, Cote currently resides in Victor, New York with wife Taryn and daughter Emma Rae. Purtunia the cat and a dog named Vanni round out the family. When he’s not knocking 8-irons stiff or getting students mentally tough on the lesson tee, you might catch Cote playing basketball or tennis. He also enjoys darts. For more information on lessons with Cote, e-mail him at jonctcote@aol.com. Thanks for sharing, Jon!