Jim Kiely, a professional golfer who learned how to play in the Junior Golf Program at the former Miami Lakes Country Club (now Shula’s Golf Club), passed away on August 17.
Aside from devotion to his family, Kiely’s greatest passion was golfing. After the Junior Golf Program in Miami Lakes, he later played through college and then became a professional golfer.
Locally, Kiely set a course record with a round of 62 which he score while playing with close friend, William “B” Graham, at Shula’s Golf Club. Since he was not a member at the time, his feat could not be noticed on the first tee box.
Kiely earned his Professional Golfers Association (PGA) Class A membership and tour card by 1982. He was a board member of the Nat Moore Foundation, Dade Schools Athletic Foundation, and Nova Southeastern University Baudhuin School.
He was also on the Jr. Golf advisory committee for the Florida Sports Foundation, an advisory member of the Dade Amateur Golf Association, and a certified rules officials who volunteered his services to Junior Golf Tournaments, PGA professional events and trained other PGA professionals.
He had 11 hole-in-ones and is the silhouette on the Florida golf license plate which raises money for junior golf programs across the state.
Kiely leaves behind his three children, Kaitlin Rae Kiely and her finance David Weisser. Kristopher Joseph Kiely and James ian Kiely; a sister Kathleen Kiely Ferrer and brother-in-law William Ferrer; niece Tristan Kiely Ferrer; former spouse Lori Kiely; cousins and many friends.
A mass was held on August 25 at Our Lady of the Lakes Chapel. Donations in Kiely’s memory have been made to the First Tee of Miami, 1802 N.W. 37 Avenue, Miami, FL 33125.