Alex Smalley has been on a great run in the PGA Tour in 2025. Except for the only cut he missed in his first 6 appearances in the season, Smalley has finished within the Top-21 on the leaderboard. His best performance came at the 2025 Mexico Open at VidantaWorld, where he finished at T11 with a 14-under par 270.

Despite not winning a single PGA Tour title, Smalley is making a lot of waves in the community. More and more fans want to get to know the 28-year-old and learn about his upbringing. So let’s get to know Alex Smalley’s family background and childhood.

Alex Smalley’s family history

Alex Smalley was born in Rochester, New York on October 21, 1996. His parents, Terry and Maria Smalley, have always encouraged him to follow his dream. They gave Smalley access to golf at a very young age, when he used to play with rubber clubs and a ball in his parents’ backyard. Interestingly, it was his grandmother who gifted Alex Smalley the plastic golf kit when he was still a toddler. He was often seen gearing up in his snow suit to practice golf in the winters. The Rochester local was only 9 when he started dreaming of playing on the PGA Tour. Throughout the years, as he continued practicing golf, he also got enrolled at Duke University, the same college where his mother, Maria, also got her Ph.D in 1995. In fact, Smalley’s sister, Katie, also completed her undergraduate degree from the same university.

Speaking of Smalley’s mother, Maria is also a great golf partner to have on the course. In fact, she has also caddied for her son in PGA Tour events in the past. One of her fondest memories alongside her son on the course was during his first few years on the Tour. Playing the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open, the Smalley family pair were walking down the fairway when Maria recollected Alex’s dream as a 9-year-old. In an interview with the PGA Tour in 2023, she stated, “Last year at the (Genesis) Scottish Open, I was walking down 16 and I just started crying. Oh my God he’s on the PGA TOUR.’ Every now and then I get that feeling.”

It’s not only her mother who has caddied for Alex Smalley. Terry has also accompanied his son on the course on a few occasions. Having both his parents assist him in professional events, Alex Smalley was once asked, “Who is a better caddie?” in 2021, when he was only 23 years old. But he was also wise enough to respond with a simple “I’ll decline to comment.” While he may have kept face in front of the media, we doubt his parents wouldn’t have pestered him to answer the question back home.

These were the adventures of the Smalley family on the course. But what do they keep themselves busy with off the course? Let’s take a look at his parents’ professions.

Terry and Maria Smalley’s career

Terry Smalley, just like his wife, is a golf fan and a scholar. There was a time when Terry was a single digit handicapper as he walked down the course with his son on weekends. But on weekdays, Alex Smalley’s dad works as a biochemistry professor. It won’t be a surprise if he also teaches at Duke University, considering the family’s affiliation with it.

Maria Smalley is also a scientist. She has worked as an analytical chemist in the past. Although there is no information about whether she still pursues the career path. Another profession that she did take seriously was caddying for her son. Speaking about her role besides the PGA Tour pro on the course, she said “I do his business stuff, I do his stats. That’s what I do when I’m texting all the time on the course.” Speaking about why she was so involved with her son’s career, Maria said, “It helps to keep me focused so my head’s not racing and I’m not just going crazy. Gives me something to do.” Helping her son succeed on the course was one of her life’s goals at a point. But she has since handed the responsibility to a professional caddy.

The family still visits Alex Smalley on the course and can be seen cheering him on during tournaments. Now with a support like this, who wouldn’t find success in their career?

Having said that, do you think Alex Smalley will win his first PGA Tour event in 2025? Share your views in the comments section.