Jeffrey Alan Harmet passed away on Jan. 11, 2025, in Rancho Santa Fe, California, at the age of 65 peacefully, holding his wife’s hand.
Jeff, who spent a good deal of time in Santa Barbara, was a pioneering sporting goods executive, known for his humility, integrity, and charming smile.
Through the love of his family and an amazing team of medical professionals, Jeff defied odds as he lived with kidney cancer for 15 years.
Jeff was born in Hinsdale, Illinois, on Nov. 11, 1959, the youngest child of Harold and Jean
Harmet. He attended public schools in Hinsdale, then Williams College, where he majored in economics and played tennis.
Jeff earned a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, and began his career in Chicago, working for Foote, Cone & Belding (FCB). At FCB, Jeff met Anne, whom he married in 1997. Their first meeting in the elevator began a love story that permanently sealed their partnership in every way imaginable.
In 1988 Jeff joined the Wilson Sporting Goods Company. He propelled the company’s racquet sports division to a dominant market position while introducing several iconic brands that defined play for a generation of tennis players, including The Profile racquet line, which was named one of Fortune Magazine’s “Products of the Year.”
After successfully launching Wilson’s athletic footwear brand, Jeff was charged with turning around the golf division. After driving the division to profitability, Jeff moved his family to San Diego to become president of Cobra Golf.
In 2006, Golfweek lauded Jeff’s success at Cobra: “There are few people in the equipment industry these days who are on as much of a roll as Jeff Harmet.”
Jeff became the president of Titleist Clubs and Cobra Golf until the successful sale of Cobra to Puma in 2010, leading Titleist Clubs through the Acushnet Company’s IPO in 2016.
While at Titleist, Jeff’s name was included on six patents related to golf clubs. He remained deeply curious about new innovations, and was working toward a provisional patent for a tennis and golf grip system at the time of his death.
Jeff was a longstanding member of the Farms Golf Club in Rancho Santa Fe, where he served on the board and on the Greens Committee.
Jeff’s passion for playing golf was boundless. He ensured he had the opportunity to play a round, or two, on any day, regardless of weather conditions, club closures, or course maintenance. He joined Pauma Valley Golf Club in San Diego North County, one of the best golf courses in California.
Club member Billy Graham was once asked what he thought heaven looked like, to which he responded, “I hope it looks a lot like Pauma Valley.” Jeff liked this.
Jeff also joined the Valley Club of Montecito, where he cherished the course, the members, and the atmosphere.
Jeff was told he had little time over and over, but every time, he bounced back with full force. His resilience was astounding from the moment he was diagnosed; it was far from ordinary; it transcended extraordinary. Every day he chose hope, and he walked forward, in body and mind, with this hope.
Jeff faithfully paved the way for all of his family to cherish the hope that leads us toward a new time.
All that Jeff did was with love for his wife Anne McGahan Harmet, and three children (now young adults,) Isabel, Henry and William.
Jeff is survived by his immediate family: his sister Sally and husband Bob Powers; brother David Harmet and wife Lisa; nieces Alison, Blair, Carey and Sarah; nephew Blake; mother-in-law Barbara Ave McGahan; McGahan and Monardo brothers and sisters-in-law; and nieces and nephews.