Kelly Gibson — From New Orleans to the PGA Tour, and a Legacy Beyond the Fairways
There are golfers who make leaderboards, and there are golfers who leave legacies. Kelly Gibson did both — not through the bright-light spotlight of superstardom, but through grit, longevity, and a commitment to the place he came from.
A fifth-generation New Orleanian raised in Algiers, Gibson grew up steps from the banks of the Mississippi River — in a neighborhood where community and competition shaped character. His roots in the city run deep, connecting him to a lineage that long predates the modern era of the game in Louisiana.
Gibson attended De La Salle High School, graduating in 1982. Known early for both his athletic talent and discipline, he was inducted into the school’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2002 — recognition not only for his achievements, but for the way he represented the program.
He continued his career at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas, where he earned honorable-mention All-American honors and graduated in 1986 with a degree in Speech Communication. His alma mater later inducted him into the Cardinal Hall of Honor in 2000, recognizing the journey that started in Algiers and carried him into professional golf.
Climbing the Professional Ranks
Gibson turned professional around 1986 and joined what is now the Korn Ferry Tour in 1990. A year later, he broke through by winning the 1991 Ben Hogan Tri-Cities Open — earning his PGA Tour card through qualifying school and a place among the game’s elite for the 1992 season.
His path was not the glamorous rise reserved for prodigies. It was more demanding — marked by qualifying school pressure, seasonal card battles, and the constant need to prove himself.
His rookie year on the PGA Tour produced three top-10 finishes and a 105th-place ranking on the money list. In the seasons that followed, he carved out a reputation as a disciplined, determined competitor, maintaining status through perseverance and resilience. His peak season came in 1996, finishing 69th on the PGA Tour money list and tying for third at the Las Vegas Invitational. The next year, he tied for 28th at the U.S. Open.
When a challenging 1998 season cost him status, he responded by winning the Nike Oregon Classic in 1999 and finishing 13th on the Nationwide Tour money list — regaining his PGA Tour card the hard way. He continued playing through the early 2000s, splitting time across Tours and maintaining a competitive presence.
A Mission Beyond Golf
For Gibson, legacy was never meant to be measured solely in rankings and scorecards.
In September 2005, in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, he and his wife Elizabeth founded Feed the Relief — later renamed the Kelly Gibson Foundation — to support first responders across the Gulf Coast. Coast Guard crews, police officers, firefighters, EMS teams, medical staff, and families returning home received food, resources, and assistance in the most difficult days after the storm.
The foundation later expanded to support military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan and eventually grew into a force for youth development through athletics. In 2009, the Kelly Gibson Junior Golf Tour launched, creating structured competition and guidance for young golfers across the region.
As the junior tour evolved, so did its reach. Today, the Kelly Gibson Foundation — in conjunction with the Kelly Gibson Junior Golf Tour — operates a scholarship program supporting players who participate in the Oscar J. Tolmas Mentorship Program as both competitors and mentors. Scholarships are awarded annually at the foundation’s banquet, recognizing students not for golfing ability, but for community service, academic achievement, and financial need.
Since 2010, the foundation and its community partners have awarded 392 scholarships totaling $899,800, including $60,000 awarded to 29 young golfers on July 31, 2025. These scholarships reflect Gibson’s belief that golf is a vehicle — not the destination — for developing young leaders.
The foundation honors not only Gibson’s vision, but also the legacy of his late friends Jacques Fontan and Tommy Moore — men who shared his commitment to service, mentorship, and community.
A Legacy of Place
Kelly Gibson’s story is uniquely Louisiana. It is a story of a neighborhood kid from Algiers who climbed through the ranks of professional golf; who returned home when home needed him most; who chose purpose alongside performance; and who helped build a foundation for the players who will someday write their own chapters in Louisiana golf history.
From the city streets to the PGA Tour, and from disaster relief to junior development, Gibson’s work represents the kind of legacy that endures long after tournaments are forgotten.
Support the Kelly Gibson Foundation
To support the Kelly Gibson Foundation’s mission of mentorship, youth development, and community service in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, donations can be made at:
https://kellygibsonfoundation.app.neoncrm.com/forms/donate
Or by visiting kellygibsonfoundation.org and clicking “Donate.”