Jerry Kelly Joins Men's Golf Staff
October 28, 2005 | Men's Golf
Wisconsin men's golf head coach Jim Schuman has announced that professional golfer and Madison native Jerry Kelly will join the staff as a volunteer assistant coach.
Kelly has represented the United States at the Presidents Cup and has amassed 50 Top 10 finishes on the PGA Tour since joining the circuit in 1996.
Schuman knows that Kelly's experiences will greatly benefit the players and the program. 'For the guys that play on our team,' Schuman said, 'playing on the PGA Tour would be their ultimate dream job.
'I don't think there could be a better guy for them to spend time with and share ideas with than Jerry. He can show them what it takes to play at the next level.'
Kelly has two career victories on the PGA Tour. Both came in 2002, when he finished sixth in earnings. Kelly posted a career best 10 Top 10 finishes in 2003, helping him land a spot on the 2003 U.S. Presidents Cup team. Kelly has recorded at least one finish in the Top 6 in each of his 10 seasons on the PGA Tour.
His first PGA victory came at the 2002 Sony Open in his 200th career PGA start. He nearly won his first PGA tournament at the Greater Milwaukee Open in his rookie season. Kelly forced a playoff and finished second at the event, his best finish until 2001.
After turning pro in 1989, Kelly played on the Nationwide Tour until 1995. In his final season on the tour, Kelly led all players in earnings while posting 15 Top 10 finishes. That consistency along with two tournament victories led Kelly to be named the 1995 Nationwide Tour Player of the Year. His earnings total that season also set a record for the Nationwide Tour. In all, Kelly recorded 26 Top 10 finishes on the Nationwide Tour.
Prior to turning pro in 1989, Kelly attended the University of Hartford. Kelly initially went to Hartford to play both hockey and golf, but when the school dropped its hockey program before he arrived, Kelly instead focused on golf. An all-city hockey selection while playing at Madison East High School, Kelly remains an avid hockey fan.
Kelly's wife, Carol, is Wisconsin head men's golf coach Jim Schuman's sister. Jerry and Carol reside in Madison with their son, Cooper (seven).
