Carol Semple Thompson isn’t the only golfer in this week’s U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship with Pittsburgh roots.
Jackie Gallagher-Smith, whose parents grew up in Johnstown, also calls Western Pennsylvania home. Her husband, Ed, was from Norvelt in Westmoreland County.
“When I was driving in from the airport Sunday, I knew what my husband has always said, ‘This is kind of like back home,’ ” Gallagher-Smith said after her practice round Monday at Fox Chapel Country Club. “It’s great. I already got see my father-in-law (Clarence Smith), my sister-in-law and niece. I have blood in the area.”
Gallagher-Smith, Ed and their two boys — Connor and Sullivan — live in Jupiter, Fla.
She joined the LPGA in 1994 and comes from a family of golfers. Her father, Jim, was a PGA golf professional for more than 50 years, her brother Jim is a five-time winner on the PGA Tour and brother Jeff won twice on the Korn Ferry tour.
Her lone win on the LPGA Tour came in the 1999 Giant Eagle Classic at Avalon Lakes, Ohio, when she shot a 17-under-par 199.
She competes on the Legends of the LPGA tour.
“I’ve played in some Legends events, state Opens and LPGA Seniors,” Gallagher-Smith said. “I played there well last year where I tied for fifth. This year I was 16h or 17th. It was kind of a warm up for this, trying to get some reps.
“I played in the Florida Open a couple weeks ago and finished third. I’ve been really working hard the last few months on my game, trying to get it ready for this week.”
Gallagher-Smith said she remembers playing in a U.S. Open qualifier before at Fox Chapel, though she said it took her a few holes to recall.
“I watched my brother Jim play in the PGA Senior Championship here and my son, Sully, who was 6 or 7, walked the course,” Gallagher-Smith said. “It’s kind of fun that we’re back here playing.”
Sully is her caddie this week.
“He was my caddie the last three Senior Opens,” Gallagher-Smith said.
During the second round of last year’s tournament, Gallagher-Smith recorded a hole-in-one, the 13th in her career, and her son nearly tackled her.
“That was really exciting on No. 11,” She said.
“Sully jumped 20 feet in the air to give me a high five. That was pretty cool. I don’t think he body slammed, but it was close.”
Gallagher-Smith said that No. 17 green with a huge dip in the middle and No. 9 with a sand trap in the middle are unique.
“I don’t think you see that all the time, and it brought back memories,” Gallagher-Smith said. “This place is unique, and the greens are where it’s at. You could be faced with a lot of long and difficult putts.”
