Jeff Tachell of Snoqualmie, Washington, passed away on August 23, 2025. He was 65. A PGA golf professional and mentor to countless players, Jeff’s love of the game was rooted in the values he carried from childhood – time spent outdoors, camaraderie, and spirited competition. He was born on January 15, 1960, in Mesa, Arizona. He was raised in Mountlake Terrace, Wash. and graduated from Woodway High School. He went on to play collegiate golf at the University of Arkansas before turning pro in 1981. He grew up playing with the neighborhood kids, excelling in team sports like baseball and football, always cherishing the friendships and fun they provided. He had his first hole-in-one at 8 years old, the first of five. Won the Punt, Pass & Kick twice before he was 13. Golf, however, became the game that combined it all: friendship, fresh air, competition, and the opportunity for a lifetime of play. At just seven years old, Jeff began working at Lake Ballinger Golf Course in Mountlake Terrace, earning 10 dollars a week and the gift of free golf. By 16, his talent had earned him a spot in the 1976 and 1977 Junior Americas Cup and Hogan Cup, where he represented the state of Washington alongside players such as Fred Couples. He went on to play collegiate golf at the University of Arkansas before turning professional in 1981, the same year he began teaching the game that became his life’s calling. Jeff achieved his Class A PGA credentials in 1992 and devoted his career to helping golfers of all ages and abilities find joy, confidence, and purpose on the course. He spent the last 12 years of his career as a PGA golf professional at Mount Si Golf Course in Snoqualmie, Wash., where he became a cornerstone of the community – offering lessons, mentoring junior players, and serving as a role model through his kindness, patience, and deep passion for the game. His presence touched generations of golfers who respected him not only for his skill but for the warmth and generosity he brought to every interaction.
Jeff was a well-respected teacher of the game. His work ethic, kindness, and love for the game showed in everything he did. Whether you interacted with him on the course, in the pro shop, or on the lesson tee, you always walked away having enjoyed time spent with an individual who loved the game of golf. Above all, Jeff valued the lifelong friendships the game of golf created, and the new connections made with every round. He embraced competition, relishing the challenge of relying solely on himself in pursuit of excellence, and he shared that same spirit with those he coached and mentored.
A Celebration of Life for Jeff Tachell will be held on Saturday, September 27 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the far end of the driving range at Mount Si Golf Course in Snoqualmie, Wash. Family, friends, and members of the golf community are invited to gather and honor his life and legacy.
