TERRE HAUTE — Seldom, if ever, has Terre Haute witnessed an outpouring of shock, grief and sympathy that accompanied news of the tragic accident that took the life of Travis Smith earlier this year.
A phenomenal high school golfer, Travis had led his South Braves to a tie for runner-up honors in the 2006 IHSAA State Finals while finishing in a tie for fourth, individually. As a freshman, scholarship golfer on the Ball State University golf team, Travis had already made his presence felt in collegiate golf circles.
During his freshman year of high school, Travis was coached by Mark McCreery, a former South golf standout who had captained his 1989 South team that finished second in state finals competition. McCreery also played college golf at Indiana University.
Mark remembers, “Travis made some huge improvements in his golf game during the last half of his freshman year. He qualified for a starting position and fired a 73 in the state finals. When he had a good round going, he wouldn’t let it slip away.”
When business pursuits caused McCreery to relinquish his coaching duties after six seasons, another outstanding South golfer was ready to take over the reins. Chris Cassell, like McCreery, had led his South team to the state finals. He had gone on to play four years as a member of Western Kentucky’s golf team.
Under Cassell, Smith would make three more trips to the IHSAA State Golf Finals to become the only South golfer to participate in the state finals four straight times.
Along the way, Smith bettered South’s all time, 18-hole scoring record of 67 which had been held by David Callahan and had remained in place for more than 30 years. Smith’s record round was a 66 carded in a tournament at Coyote Crossing Golf Club in Lafayette. Later in the summer, Travis would add the Country Club of Terre Haute Club championship trophy to an already long list of golfing accomplishments.
Cassell indicated, “The endearing quality that made Travis Smith so special was his selflessness.” Chris recalled, “When Travis was in the process of shooting his record setting six-under-par round, he never mentioned how he was doing. He only was interested in how his teammates were playing. During one stretch of eight holes he had seven birdies.
Cassell added, “While it was obvious that he was the best player, he acted opposite of what you would expect. He was never boastful, never calling attention to himself.”
After checking his records, Cassell concluded that Travis had played 270 competitive holes at five-under par during his senior year before being named to the All-State Team. As a member of the Ball State University’s golf team he played a 54-hole tournament in five-under par in a tourney hosted by Xavier University.
Travis Smith will long be remembered not only for his golfing expertise, but also for the many enduring and exemplary qualities that he demonstrated so consistently.
As the visitation line stretched from a packed St. Joseph’s Church, out the door, down Fifth Street and farther on Ohio, it was evidence of the high esteem in which Travis and his loving and supportive family were held. Travis’ mother, Tami, is a nurse at Washington School’s Nursery and his father, Jimmy, an excellent basketball player at South Vigo and Indiana State, is Director of the Boys’ and Girls’ Club. Travis’ sister, Courtney, is a sophomore and a cheerleader a South. Grandparents include Cookie and Jerry Dooley and Lois Smith.
Contributions in memory of Travis Smith may be made to Terre Haute Boys’ and Girls’ Club and mailed to the club at 220 North Third Street, Terre Haute IN 47807. Proceeds will enable the Boys’ and Girls’ Club to continue to provide recreational and educational activities for the youth of our community.
Rub of the Green
Rub of the Green: Travis Smith will be remembered for his exemplary qualities
- Rub of the Green
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