Jerry McGee was born July 21, 1943 in New Lexington, Ohio, and as he grew up he excelled at many different sports including baseball and football. He became a very proficient golfer at an early age of 15 years old. He fired a course record 7under par 65 to win the Southern Ohio Jaycee Junior.
Jerry turned professional and qualified for the PGA Tour in 1966. He earned exempt status in 1971 and finished eighth place in the U.S. Open that qualified him for his first Masters where he finished fifth four shots back of Jack Nicklaus.
Jerry won his first tour event in 1975 at the Pensacola Open. Jerry claimed his second victory at the 1977 IVB Philadelphia Golf Classic. This victory plus other magnificent play earned him a berth on the 1977 U.S. Ryder Cup Team. In 1979 Jerry went on to win the Kemper Open and the Sammy Davis Jr. Greater Hartford Open.
Due to health issues Jerry retired from the tour in 1981 and became director of golf at Oak Tree Country Club in West Middlesex, Pennsylvania.
Jerry became eligible for the Senior PGA (now the Champions Tour) where he excelled to finish in the top 25 money list 199, 1996 and 1997.
In 1999 Jerry was diagnosed with cancer and underwent major surgery. Inspired by numerous cancer survivors, Jerry made a comeback by competing in over 150 more tournaments. Jerry retired from competitive golf in 2005. He stated “I feel very lucky to have played a major sport for 28 years. I've been very lucky!”
Jerry can no longer claim to be the best golfer ion the family. That is because his son Mike is married to LPGA tour legend Annika Sorenstam and have two children.
