About
Golfer and social media content creator known for competing at the NCAA Division I level, winning the 2024 Jim Thorpe Invitational, and documenting his golf journey online on TikTok and Instagram under the handle @815_marcus. He is also known for playing collegiate golf at Eastern Michigan University and at Howard University as well as for being part of the Howard golf era featured in ESPN's 2023 docuseries Why Not Us.
Before fame
He began playing golf at a very young age when he was around four years old. He attended Winnebago High School where he established himself as one of the top junior golfers in the state of Illinois. He became the 2018 Illinois High School Association individual state champion while in high school and qualified for the state tournament all four years and never finished lower than sixth. He was ranked the No. 2 golfer in Illinois for the Class of 2020 and No. 199 nationally by Rolex/AJGA rankings. He began his college golf career at Eastern Michigan University in 2020 where he recorded several strong finishes. He began posting content on Instagram and TikTok also in 2020. He transferred to Howard University in 2022.
Trivia
He won the Jim Thorpe Invitational in 2024 finishing first with a two-stroke margin. He has been involved with the Advocates Professional Golf Association Pathways to Progression which supports diversity in professional golf. He was featured in national media coverage during 2023 and 2024 as part of Howard University's golf resurgence including attention surrounding the ESPN docuseries Why Not Us.
Family life
His full name is Marcus James Smith Jr. He was born and raised in Rockford, Illinois. is the son of Marcus and Tombi Smith and is the oldest of eight children. He has four sisters named Makenzie, Melody, Macie, and Madelyn, and three brothers named Myles, Mason, and Malachi.
Associated with
He played for Howard University's golf program which gained national attention following support from NBA star Steph Curry.
