Jesse Smith, a Native Canadian golfer, qualified for the 2013 U.S. Open. As a proud member of the Six Nations, he has worked to provide opportunities for at-risk youth to expand their horizons. Smith’s career has had many twists and turns, but his success points to his determination and drive.
Early Career
Smith’s father, Guy Smith, was a full member of the Mohawk Nation. He settled with his family in New Hampshire and practiced as an equine vet. As a boy growing up in New Hampshire, Smith was an avid baseball player. His father, a former hockey star, encouraged Smith in his efforts both on the baseball diamond and hockey rink. Guy Smith died tragically at the age of 44, and his son decided not to pursue his career in baseball. Instead, he later turned to golf.
The Path to Professional Golf
Jesse Smith studied at Colgate University, where he began to hone his golf game. He had some financial difficulties while trying to pursue his dreams of excelling in golf. After college, he briefly worked in the finance field before deciding it was not for him. He worked as an assistant at a golf course but later left to focus on honing his craft.
The Dreamcatcher Charitable Fund
It took Smith several years to perfect his golf game. He worked hard to improve his skills. Along the way, the Dreamcatcher Charitable Fund, sponsored by Grand River Enterprises, provided funding for Smith to pursue his dreams of excelling on the golf course. Without the Dreamcatcher Fund, Smith would have had difficulty balancing his financial needs with his sporting ambitions. The program has helped many First Nations youth from Ontario to pursue their dreams of becoming sports figures.
About the Six Nations
The Six Nations includes six Iroquois nations: the Seneca, Cayuga, Tuscarora, Onondaga, Oneida, and Mohawk. The reserve is the only place where the members of the Six Nations live together. It is a 46,000-acre reserve located near Brantford, Ontario. Six Nations has the most registered members of any reserve in the country.
Moving Toward Professional Golf
Smith moved to the Six Nations Reserve in Ontario while preparing for a career in professional golf. He lived with his grandfather, Leslie Smith. On the reserve, he was able to devote all of his time to golf. Golf was the game of his Six Nations family, and he found that he was in a supportive community that allowed him to focus on his game.
He worked with David Glenz, a well-known teaching pro in New Jersey, to further his golf skills and bring him to a professional level. In 2013 at the age of 33, Smith qualified for the U.S. Open. While he was enjoying the Open, he was able to play a practice round with Tiger Woods.
Smith followed his appearance at the U.S. Open with a spot in the Canadian Open. He was the first member of the Six Nations to play at the Canadian Open, and he had a significant number of interested fans both from the Six Nations and New Hampshire. He attracted the press, including the New York Times, to write several articles about his rise to professional golf.
Smith triumphed in the Barrie Classic in 2017. The Barrie Classic is a Canadian major tournament. He played in many other tournaments across Canada at this point in his career.
Community Service
Smith believes that the Dreamcatcher Charitable Fund made a huge difference in his life. The Dreamcatcher Fund helps First Nation students from Ontario become community leaders. Smith says that “the Dreamcatcher fund helped me out for years with my schooling and golf. I am very thankful for that.”
Smith decided to give back to his community and start a golf clinic for at-risk youth from the Six Nations. This clinic gives young people the opportunity to learn a new sport while fostering their interests in academic pursuits.
Jesse Smith Today
Today, Smith works as a golf pro. He works at the MontHill Country Club, where he teaches the local community the golf game’s ins and outs and provides a great source of support for would-be golfers.
A 2013 New York Times article quotes Smith:
“I am very proud to represent the Six Nations,” he began. “I became a golfer, and as it happens, golf is a game of equality. There is no draft, no combine, and no coach’s decision about who plays. You do your best, and the score decides where you end up. Life takes some funny turns, and you have to learn from each one,” he said. “But if you believe in something, and if you keep your dream, it can happen.”
Smith’s journey toward success in golf has not always been easy, but his career shows that any person can achieve something great if they exhibit drive and perseverance. He has a deep-seated belief that the community needs to support its youth to realize their dreams.
Golf is highly competitive, and players need to practice their skills at every opportunity. Players like Jesse Smith of Grand River have many followers in their careers. As he develops his golf game, he will continue to be a prominent member and community leader of the Six Nations.
