On a clear Huntsville, Alabama, night six years ago, Jassen Garner looked up at the stars and told his wife Kerry, “I want to open a fun factory—a business all about sports.” That dream became The Golf Lab LLC, which opened its doors in September 2025.
Jassen and Kerry describe themselves as strong-hearted partners—in life, marriage, and business. They’ve built a blended family with three teenagers, run a successful insurance agency, and now, they’re chasing a dream that started with stargazing.
The Golf Lab sits in a 5,000-square-foot space that once housed a fitness center. Today, it’s a golfer’s playground: high-tech simulators, private lessons, leagues, and entertainment space for parties or game-day watch events. Members can even play at 2 a.m. if they want—thanks to 24/7 access via security codes sent before tee time.
For Jassen, a sports enthusiast, golf is a lifelong passion. “My grandma took me and my cousin out golfing when I was eight years old, and I was hooked,” he says. He still plays baseball in a local league.
Kerry, a self-described novice golfer, loves the game’s social side and the challenge of improving her swing. “I got the entrepreneur bug I didn’t even know I had when I met Jassen,” she says.
The Garners didn’t leap into The Golf Lab concept without serious consideration. Jassen has been an insurance agent since 1999 and an independent Medicare broker since 2015. Kerry left a six-figure, high-stress career seven years ago to join Jassen in the insurance business. Their agency now shares space with The Golf Lab.
Launching the new venture wasn’t easy.
“We wanted to do something fun,” Kerry explains. “Our insurance agency was doing well, and in early 2025, we felt the timing was right. Securing a business loan was crucial. The though of bootstrapping this business was terrifying.”
Enter nonprofit Neighborhood Concepts, Inc. and its NCI Loan Fund, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that helps small businesses grow.
“The process was so smooth, and the loan officers were easy to work with,” Kerry says.
The Garners applied for their loan in January 2025. They found their location before funding was approved. “It was like this space was created just for us,” Jassen recalls.
They signed the lease, secured financing by late March, and started renovations in April. By summer, they had a logo and branding. In August, they moved in. In September, they opened.
The Golf Lab has attracted golf enthusiasts, community leaders, and media attention. But for Jassen and Kerry, The Golf Lab is more than a business—it’s about family. Their kids helped design the space, create content, and often assist clients on weekends. “We hope to inspire them to take chances and follow their hearts,” Kerry says.
Mary Ellen Judah, executive director of Neighborhood Concepts, says the Garners represent what the NCI Loan Fund is all about.
“They had a clear vision, a solid plan, and a passion for creating something unique for the Huntsville community,” she adds. “The Golf Lab isn’t just a business—it’s an experience. We’re proud to support entrepreneurs like Jassen and Kerry who bring innovation and energy to our local economy.”
What’s next? Growth. Staffing. Maybe franchising.
“We’re big dreamers,” Jassen says. “This is our family business. We want people to care as much as we do when they work here.”
For now, the Garners are working long hours, nights and weekends, building something they believe in—a place where golf meets community, and dreams meet reality.
The Regions Foundation recently announced a $150,000 grant to support the NCI Loan Fund, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) operated by Huntsville-based nonprofit Neighborhood Concepts, Inc. This latest investment from the Regions Foundation will expand access to capital for small businesses in Huntsville and surrounding communities.
The Regions Foundation is a nonprofit funded primarily by Regions Bank; through its grantmaking program, the Foundation supports economic and community development initiatives, along with education and workforce readiness programs and financial wellness opportunities.
The NCI Loan Fund is a natural community partner for the Regions Foundation. Since 2015, NCI has deployed nearly $17 million and supported more than 220 small businesses, including 25 this year alone.
To learn more about the Regions Foundation, please visit https://www.regions.com/foundation.