Jay Cooper June 2, 1963 - October 1, 2021

Coral Gables, Florida Jay Cooper, of Coral Gables, passed away at the age of 58 on Friday, October 1, 2021, after a long, courageous, and hard- fought battle with cancer. Jay was a 1982 graduate of Coral Gables High School and while in high school was named Miami Herald All Dade Athletic Awards Player of the Year Boy’s Golf in 1981 and 1982. Jay attended both Miami Dade Community College and Columbus College in Columbus, Georgia on golf scholarships. Jay was characteristically humble, and yet he excelled in every passion and pursuit, most notably playing and teaching golf. While Jay could make a friend out of any stranger, was a joy to be around, and was beloved by Miami’s golf community, his true friends were his coaches and mentors over the years and the lifelong friendships that began when Jay played golf as a youngster in Junior Golf and at The Granada Course in Coral Gables. For nearly two decades Jay was a golf instructor at International Links of Miami/Melreese Golf Course. Before becoming a golf teacher, Jay excelled in both amateur and professional golf competition. As an amateur golfer, Jay placed first in Campaneta International Amateur Championship in 1979 and again in 1980. In 1985, Jay placed first in the Tournament of the Americas, first in the Chilean Amateur Championship, and second in the United States Golf Association’s Public Links Championship. As a professional golfer, Jay won The Jamaican National Open Championship in 1992. He toured with the PGA Tour of Canada from 1992-2002 and with the PGA Tour of South Africa in 1995 and 1996 and Jay played and placed in many tournaments over his professional golf career. Jay leaves behind many good friends and many students. He will be dearly missed by all. The family held a private funeral service.