Jan’s passion for golf began at age five, when her father introduced her to the game with a cut-down 7-iron. She developed her skills through Lansing’s Publinx (public links) program, competing on Lansing area municipal courses throughout her youth.

She served as captain of the very first Waverly High School’s girls golf team in 1979 before graduating 3 months early to play college golf for Michigan State University from 1980–1984 under Coach Mary Fossum. A proud Spartan, Jan uses her degree in Park and Recreation Resources, Golf Course Design, to shape her unique approach to course management and strategy.

Jan became a member of the LPGA in 1999 and achieved Class A status in 2005.  She owns her own golf school and conducts lessons at DeWitt Golf Center in DeWitt, Michigan. 

In 2007 she joined the MSU Broad College of Business faculty, creating and teaching the innovative BUS 491 “Using Golf in Business”.  In 2018 the class was moved to the School of Hospitality Business and became HB 420 “The Business of Golf”.  Jan also created and teaches HB 203 “Hospitality Communication” for the School of HB.   

In 2024 Jan was awarded Life Member status in the LPGA.

She currently serves as Head Coach of the DeWitt girls golf team and Player Development Coach of the DeWitt boys team, continuing her commitment to growing the game.