Jerry D. Smith, PGA Passes Away at Age of 78
The Southern Texas PGA is very saddened to share that Half Century PGA Member, Jerry D. Smith, passed away yesterday at the age of 78.
Jerry was the NJCAA Individual National Champion in 1966 while at Odessa Junior College and then transferred to the University of Texas, where he was a letterman on the golf team and graduated in 1968. His decorated career as a golf professional started in 1969 as an Assistant Professional to Harvey Penick at Austin Country Club before moving to Dallas Athletic Club in 1970 to work for Ross Collins. He was elected to PGA Membership in 1972. In 1976 he moved to Houston and became the PGA Head Professional at Lakeside Country Club, where he served that membership for 21 years. In 1997, he accepted the position of PGA Head Professional at Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas and remained there until he retired and became a PGA Life Member in 2010.
He was a servant of the game throughout his career. Jerry was the Southern Texas PGA’s Golf Professional of the Year in 1987 and President of the Southern Texas PGA in 1987-88. In 2013, he was named the Northern Texas PGA’s Distinguished Service Award winner. Jerry also served as Chairman of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in 2016 and 2017. Jerry’s father, SA Smith, was also a decorated PGA Professional from West Texas. He is credited for starting what is now known as the Northern Texas PGA Junior Tour in the 1960s.
Jerry was married to the love of his life, Peggy, for 52 years. She survives him and resides in Dallas.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for consideration in making a donation in Jerry’s memory to support a scholarship program in conjunction with the SA Smith West Texas Junior Invitational Tournament at Odessa CC this summer. Each year, a male and female junior golfer playing in the tournament is randomly drawn to win a $2,500 college scholarship. Click HERE to support this worthy initiative.
At this time no service information is available.
Jerry will be deeply missed by all of us who have been fortunate to consider him our friend and colleague. Please keep the Smith family in your thoughts and prayers.
