It’s Friday the 13th and if you're a little superstitious, maybe you think the day can be unlucky. For Jake Jacobson, a different kind of 13 caught up with him earlier this week, but his friends jumped into action and helped save his life.

Hunting for balls in the rough. Missing short putts. Golf can get the best of the best players in a hurry. At Mill Run Golf Course in Eau Claire, the par 4 13th hole plays 290 yards from the white tees, with a sharp dogleg to the left. On any hole with any shot golf can be heartbreaking, but for Jake Jacobson it wasn't golf that got to him. It was his heart.

Monday night, June 9, was men's league, Jake was out on the 13th hole when his heart quit on him. He fell to his knees and then to his back. For the next 20 minutes, his friends took turns giving him CPR and his doctor says that likely saved his life.

Paramedics arrived and rushed Jake to Luther Midelfort. His doctor there says those first few minutes were vital.

"During that time it was critical for him to receive CPR,” says Dr. Shoaib Naseem, Jake’s cardiologist. “It played a critical role. The time is of the essence. Every second counts."

Jake is in critical care, but Naseem says he is making a phenomenal recovery. He says in many similar situations, the outcome is often very different. Jake's wife Julie says they're taking things one day at a time, and Jake is getting better every day. Julie says if it wasn't for Jake’s golfing buddies and their quick thinking, he wouldn't have lived.

"I am just so grateful that his friends were there and reacted as fast as they did, because without them, Jake would not be here today," Julie says.

She also says Jake is starting to talk in little sentences and answers yes or no to most questions.
Even though Jake won't be teeing it up again any time soon, Julie says she's just glad he's alive.

"It’s just nice to hear his voice and have his eyes open and awake,” she says.