Dave Jennings of Central Alabama Community College has elected to the Alabama Community College Conference Hall of Fame.
Jennings' affection for golf was something he was destined for. Jennings' father, a career fighter pilot for the United States Marine Corps (USMC), was a very accomplished golfer, while his mother also enjoyed playing. As a very young man, he loved shagging golf balls for his dad. Early on, his father taught him the proper grip, stance and swing. Hitting a good shot, even in those early years, was something special and when receiving his father's approval of a good shot, it started a love for the game that has lasted a lifetime. As he caddied for his father, Jennings learned more about the game's etiquette, character and integrity that he quickly learned to admire. After traveling the country as a military dependent, his family settled in Montgomery, Alabama upon his father's retirement from the USMC.
Jennings attended and played golf at then Alexander City State Junior College (ACJC) before transferring to Troy University to continue his collegiate career. The time as a student-athlete at ACJC sparked Jennings desire for a career in golf. The team at ACJC was very competitive, resulting in hard work to improve and qualify for travel with the team to tournaments. After a few years of playing professionally, Jennings found a passion in teaching the game, which allowed him to travel the country, before eventually settling down in Alabama. Golf also took him around the world, allowing him to play extensively across the country, Asia, Europe and Central America.
In 2001, the golf program at now Central Alabama Community College (CACC) was eliminated. Jennings was a driving force in the reinstatement of the program, and was named Head Coach in 2002.
Since taking over at CACC, Jennings' teams have won eight Region and seven District Championships and in 2013 the Trojans captured the NJCAA Division I National Championship, the sixth overall for CACC. He has hosted three NJCAA Men's Golf National Championships, coached 28 All-Americans and one Jack Nicklaus Award winner. Jennings has coached Team USA in the 2010 World University Golf Championship and in the 2018 Toyota Junior World Cup. He was named the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) Coach of the Year in 2010 and 2013. He was inducted into the NJCAA Golf Hall of Fame in 2010 and GCAA Hall of Fame in 2013. In 2017, CACC earned NJCAA Golf Academic Team of the Year. Jennings' also served as the President of the NJCAA Golf Coaches Association for four years as well as serving as the NJCAA Golf Representative and Advisory Board Member with the GCAA for six years.
Jennings' feels he has two professional specialties; player development and preparing his student-athletes for the next level. He has successfully transferred over 80% of his players into NCAA and NAIA programs while over 90 percent of his players have earned their Bachelor's Degree.
Aside from golf, Jennings is an avid bass fisherman on Lake Martin. His son, David Jennings Jr. is his motivation to excel. In his quiet time, Jennings enjoys speaking with and thanking God for a wonderful and blessed life.
While being inducted in the ACCC Hall of Fame is special to Jennings, it was made more special by being inducted with his very good friend and coaching counterpart Dan York of Wallace State. Jennings and York have been great ambassadors of golf for the ACCC, as well as the NJCAA and GCAA.