Got started playing golf in middle school.

Grew up in Evansville, Indiana and honed his game under Bob Walther, who learned the game from 1944 PGA Championship winner Bob Hamilton and played professionally in the 1970s. Walther taught at Walther’s Golf Range in Evansville.

Prepped at Evansville (Indiana) North High School, where he led the team to its first state title in 2000. The school was known for its strong golf teams, with Jeff’s father, Ron, recalling, “People told me if I wanted Jeff to play high school golf that I should send him to a different school. But we figured if you want to be the best, why not try and beat the best.” Jeff made the varsity team as a freshman, finished as the individual runner-up at the 1999 state championship his sophomore season, and was the No. 1 player for the state championship-winning team in 2000.

Inducted into the Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019. Other notable inductees include Lee Corso, Dick Enberg, two-time Pro Bowl quarterback Trent Green, Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Bob Knight, 2003 PGA Championship winner Shaun Micheel, multi-time NBA All-Star guard Victor Oladipo, All-Pro wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, multi-time All-Star and 2016 World Series champion outfielder Kyle Schwarber, and 12-time All-Star point guard Isiah Thomas.

Played four seasons at Indiana University (2001-05), where he was credited with eight tournament victories, with the crown jewel being individual medalist honors at the 2005 Big Ten Conference Championship, which made him Indiana’s first conference medalist since Shaun Micheel (1991).

Earned a 2005 All-America Second Team selection, following Bob Ackerman (1975), Rob Jackson (1977), Shaun Micheel (1991), and Randy Leen (1997, 1998) as the fifth All-American in program history.

Named the 2004 and 2005 Big Ten Conference Player of the Year, as well as the 2004 and 2005 Les Bolstad Award winner (presented annually to the Big Ten player with the lowest scoring average).

Broke IU program records for single-season scoring average (69.97 in 2004-05) and career scoring average (71.72).

Represented the United States at the 2005 Walker Cup and Palmer Cup; his teammates at the Walker Cup included Brian Harman, J.B. Holmes, and Anthony Kim.