Smylie Kaufman with his parents Jeff and Pam. (Instagram/Smylie Kaufman)
Smylie Kaufman is taking the golf world by storm with his play at the 2016 Masters.
The former Alabama Amateur champion and LSU standout is in the final pairing in his first appearance at Augusta National.
The 24-year-old Kaufman certainly has the game on the course, but also a solid support system off it, which includes his girlfriend, grandparents, parents and brother.
Here’s what you need to know about Smylie Kaufman’s inner circle:
1. Kaufman’s Girlfriend Is a Former Auburn Cheerleader
Smylie Kaufman with his girlfriend Francie Harris. (Instagram/Smylie Kaufman)
Kaufman is dating Francie Harris, who attended high school with Smylie at Vestavia Hills just outside of Birmingham, Alabama.
Harris went to college at Auburn — Smylie to SEC rival LSU — where she was a cheerleader and homecoming queen.
Francie, whose real name is Frances, graduated in May 2015 with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies.
Professionally, she wants to be a Child Life Specialist and work in a pediatric hospital. Francie is also very active in charitable organizations and fundraising.
2. His Grandfather Coached College Golf at UAB
Smylie has the game of golf in his blood. His grandfather, Alan Kaufman, is the former men’s golf head coach at UAB (Alabama-Birmingham).
Alan Kaufman, who, like Smylie attended LSU, coached future PGA pros Graeme McDowell, who was an All-American while with the Blazers in the early 2000s.
He is also a business man. In 1967, he founded the Wall Street Deli, a national sandwich shop chain.
Alan is married to wife Pug.
3. Smylie Lives With His Parents In Alabama
Smylie Kaufman with his parents Jeff and Pam. (Instagram/Smylie Kaufman)
Smylie grew up in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham.
His parents, Jeff and Pam, still live in Vestavia. In fact, Smylie lives at home when he’s not travelling on the Tour.
Smylie did tell Jim Nance in a CBS interview that he is actively looking to buy a home.
Jeff also played college golf at LSU in the mid-1980s and Pam was head women’s golf coach at UAB in the early 1990s.
So, yes, Smylie was destined to be a golfer.
4. He Is Named After His Grandmother’s Cousin, a Former All-American Football Player
Kaufman is named after Smylie Gebhart, his grandmother’s cousin. (Instagram/Smylie Kaufman)
Smylie Kaufman’s name is actually Carter. Carter Smylie Kaufman.
His middle name is an homage to his grandmother’s cousin. He was Smylie Gebhart and was a All-American defensive end for Georgia Tech in 1971.
Gebhart suffered an accident in 1980 which severed his spinal cord and left him a quadriplegic. Gebhart died when he was 51.
Jeff Kaufman told Yahoo Sports:
He was a handsome guy, an amazing athlete, the kind of guy you’d like your daughter to marry.
Jeff said if he ever had a son, he’d name him Smylie. He stood by his word.
5. Smylie Has a Brother Named Luckie
Smylie’s brother Luckie Kaufman. (Twitter/Luckie Kaufman)
Smylie isn’t the only Kaufman with an interesting name. He has a younger brother named Luckie.
Luckie is also a golfer and he could tell his brother was something special on the course.
Luckie told al.com in a story about Smylie:
He always had that ‘It Factor’ — that swagger on the golf course that not many kids have, and he just always seemed to have that It really hasn’t even sunk in yet, just how incredible it is. Everyone always asks me about him, but getting to see him play at The Masters is going to be an unreal experience and it’s probably going to be where everything sinks in.
