Jim Smith, Jr.

Jim Smith Jr. joined The Philadelphia Cricket Club as the Director of Golf in 2006 following 10 years as the GM/DOG at Talamore @ Oak Terrace G&CC.  In 2018, Jim was promoted to Director of Golf/COO.  With significant contributions from Jim, PCC has transformed from a $8M operation to a $30M+ operation; seen membership demand reach heights never achieved before; and invested more than $60M in facility improvements. 

Jim is the 2024 National Bill Strausbaugh Award winner, given to one of 30k+ PGA professionals annually with the criteria including: 

• Candidate must have maintained a substantial record of service to the PGA of America in the effort to further the careers of fellow PGA Professionals as a mentor, counselor, teacher and advisor. 

• Candidate must have developed the image, reputation, and ability to inspire fellow PGA members with an emphasis in leadership and service to the Association, individual PGA Professionals and the community at-large.

• Candidate must have maintained a continual record of service and promotion of the game of golf and golf industry within the specific area of employment and club relations.

Jim has also been honored with the Philadelphia PGA Golf Professional of the Year award, the Philadelphia Section PGA Bill Strausbaugh award (3x), and the Philadelphia PGA Merchandiser of the Year award.  He has also been recognized as a Golf World Top-100 Golf Shop, a Philadelphia Magazine Top-25 Instructor, and more.  He was a finalist for the National PGA Golf Executive of the Year Award in 2021.  He is one of a limited number of professionals in the country to be a member of Callaway Golf’s Master Staff Professional Board, and he is also a member of multiple industry groups that count the best professionals in the country among their membership. 

Jim has served as the Chair, or been a member of, virtually every Philadelphia PGA Committee, including 8 years on the Executive Committee of the Section, including a two-year term as President.  In his almost 30 years as a PGA Professional, Jim has taken a special interest in mentoring and guiding his fellow golf professionals and co-workers to bigger and better opportunities - to date, 35+ of his former staff have moved on to various Head Professional, Director of Golf, Director of Outside Operations, or Director of Merchandising positions. 

Jim is a lifetime resident in the 19046-zip code (Jenkintown/Rydal, Pa); a member of the Jenkintown HS Hall of Fame (football/basketball/baseball); earned a degree from Temple University (BBA in Finance & Economics) after spending 2 years at Villanova University; and is a significant supporter of many charitable causes.  He has been married to his high-school sweetheart, Kathy, since 1991; has three children - Justin & Courtney (twins), and Haley; and one grandchild (Lily).  Jim & Kathy spend the majority of their spare time with family, or organizing/executing trips with members to great golf destinations all over the world.