Golf Outing Set for Horsham Man Who Drowned at N.J. Shore

When he wasn’t fixing cars at Brad’s Turnpike Automotive, or spending time with his family, Brad Smith could usually be found at Pine Crest Country Club. 

That’s why his loved ones decided to arrange a golf outing at Smith’s home course as a memorial to honor the man, who at 54, drowned at the Jersey shore last summer while walking with his then-7-year-old daughter.

His older daughter, Nicole Gaeta, said her father had golfed in a league for years.

“His true passion was golf,” Gaeta said. 

Family and friends of Smith, through the Brad Smith Memorial Golf Outing, are hoping to honor him on Sept. 6 with 18 holes of golf at the place where he putted best: Pine Crest.  

So far, about 40 golfers have signed up for the scramble format, but Gaeta said she’s hoping for 70 to 100 golfers to take to the greens. A separate buffet dinner will follow and golfers (and non-golfers) can register for that too.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the education funds of Smith’s youngest children, Brandy, 8 and Kole, 12.

The kids are coping ok and doing well in school following their father’s death, big sister Gaeta said.

“She’s not really showing any signs,” Gaeta said of Brandy, who had been walking with her father in knee-deep water when he was pulled out to sea. “She’s good. She wants to be happy. She doesn’t want to be sad.”

Kole, who will be going into seventh-grade at Keith Valley Middle School, made distinguished honor roll last school year, Gaeta said. 

“He’s a quiet boy, but he seems ok,” she said. “He kind of keeps how he’s feeling to himself.”

As for Gaeta and her brother Kyle Smith, she said the siblings are keeping busy running their father’s Easton Road auto repair shop in Horsham.

“My brother works really, really hard,” Gaeta said. “Our loyal customers, which is really what my dad built, are all still coming back, which is really awesome.”

Smith’s customers and the community as a whole showed such compassion and support to the family after her father’s passing and Gaeta said she hopes the same will be true of the golf outing.

“I’m still amazed at the people who come in and say such nice things about him,” Gaeta said. “It’s a testament to who he was.”

To get involved

Family and friends of Brad Smith are holding the Brad Smith Memorial Golf Outing on Sept. 6 at Pine Crest Country Club, 101 Country Club Dr., in Lansdale beginning with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. Sponsors, donations, golfers and attendees for the buffet dinner are still needed. Proceeds benefit the education funds of Smith’s two school-aged children. Click here for more information, or to register for the event.