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BORN
1939
DIED
2025
Jim Dent Obituary
Jim Dent, a pro golfer who broke through to the PGA during a time when Black golfers were rare – and often unwelcome – died May 2, 2025, after a stroke in Augusta, Georgia at the age of 85.
Dent grew up near the famed Augusta Country Club, home of the Masters Tournament. Though he had an interest in golf, Dent could not play there: it was a whites-only club. Instead, he was a caddy at Augusta National, even caddying during the Masters at age 15. By the time he hit his 20s, he began to pursue his dreams of being a pro golfer, achieving the feat in 1966, then making the PGA Tour in 1970.
In his 450 career starts, he had 25 top 10 finishes, earned his tour card 16 years in a row, and competed in five U.S. Opens and six PGA Championships. He was one of only about 12 Black players on the tour in the 1970s. He was later dominant on the Senior Tour, including winning four tournaments during the 1990 season. Dent is in the African American Golfers Hall of Fame, as well as the Caddie, Georgia Golf, Georgia Sports, National Black Golf, and Paine College Sports halls of fame. The road leading to the course at Augusta was renamed Jim Dent Way in his honor.
Fans paid tribute to Dent on Facebook, including Kelvin Hughes, who said, "I received so many life lessons from you through countless conversations. You're the only man that I knew that had his own golf club, 'The Big Bertha 9 degree driver Jim Dent limited edition.' Even though your spirit will live on, you will be missed. Thank you for being an inspiration to many. From Tee, to green, until we meet again."
By Eric San Juan
(Image: Stan Badz/PGA TOUR Archive)
20 Entries
Tony
August 9, 2025
Jim Dent, a pro golfer who broke through to the PGA during a time when Black golfers. Please accept my sincere condolences to the Dent family, many, many friends, and colleagues for your beloved Mr. Jim Dent. Mr. Jim Dent was a pro golfer who broke through to the PGA during a time when Black golfers were rare. Mr. Jim Dent was a World Golf Hall of Famer who won many PGA Tour events and became known for his antics on the course. He had a wonderful career in the sport world of golf. May you find comfort in your wealth of fond memories together with Mr. Jim Dent. May the God of comfort bless your grieving hearts with strength, loving kindness and peace as the world copes with the loss of Mr. Jim Dent. He had a tremendous career and accomplishment.
Barbara Seidman
May 20, 2025
Jim you will be truly miss RIP
David Hoover
May 14, 2025
I watched him play in the Tallahassee Open as a little boy and had the pleasure to meet and talk with him in 2012. Mr. Dent was a kind, compassionate and humble gentleman.
That same day, I was paired with his son in a tournament at Capital City Country Club. Jim, Jr. is a respectful gentleman and carries himself in a way that would make his father proud.
What an amazing legacy Mr. Dent leaves us. I feel like I´m better to know his story and to have shared a brief time with him. He will be missed by so many and certainly had a life worth celebrating. He´s the longest hitter in heaven!
ER
May 13, 2025
My deepest sympathy is with Jim´s family and friends. May the fond memories always be remembered. And may Almighty God comfort and strengthen you all.
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James Ridley
May 10, 2025
I met Jim Dent a legendary player during a celebratory event at the Augusta Municipal Golf Course, "The Patch," a course many Blacks played in the south. He was highlighted among the African American greats as a Pioneer in golf! He helped many people. There's also a street nearby bearing his name, Jim Dent Way at Augusta National. He was known earlier on as golf's longest driver and the advent of his own golf club, Big Bertha. He leaves a legacy of memories and will be dearly missed. God bless the Dent family.
JR
James Slim Bouler
May 9, 2025
He was a very good friend of mine, and he will truly be missed! I´m praying God speed strength unto all of us, who knew this great golf player as well as a good man....selah
Praying Peace
DARRELL MCCRACKIN
May 8, 2025
I met you in Indianapolis, Indiana at Coffin Golf Course, playing with my uncles Fred "fast freddie" and PGA pro Forrest 'Tom" Jones from Indiana University. You inspired me to continue playing golf. You will be missed. Darrell McCrackin
Chester Utz
May 7, 2025
I remember following Jim, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklas in a practice round at August National in the 1980's.
David Cook & All The Carolina Caddies
May 7, 2025
Big Jim Dent as we Caddies called you. Growing up I Charlotte, North Carolina we didn´t have many black heroes but when Jim Dent, Charlie Sifford, Pete Brown,Lee Elder,
& Cal Peete started playing they were our heroes. The noise at the Caddie Shack was so loud when they were playing good at a tournament. Big Jim drove a red Cadillac convertible and we were impressed. A Caddy´s Golfer! Rest In Heaven Sir. You made us proud!
RB
May 7, 2025
Such an amazing golfer with an outstanding career. His dedication and determination opened doors and broke down barriers for so many to come after him. Truly a credit to the sport and a person that helped others in many ways outside of golf.
Annie Stokes Harris
May 6, 2025
The Clarence Stokes family sends their condolences. Prayers for the Dent family.
STEPHEN WINFIELD
May 6, 2025
Condolences to the Dent family we all sandhill family RIP JIM. FROM STEPHEN WINFIELD AND FAMILY.M
Randy McHenry
May 6, 2025
Very sorry about Jim he was a good man and friend, I enjoyed playing a few rounds of golf with him, he will be missed.
Mr. Jr.
May 6, 2025
My condolences.
Early Harris
May 6, 2025
R.I.P. You are at the 19th hole Jim
JK
May 6, 2025
May God give you strength and comfort during this difficult time. Sending condolences to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered.
Roland Young
May 6, 2025
Used to watch him hit balls at Rogers Park at the north end of the range by the oak tree.
Susan and Albert Alioto
May 5, 2025
We were fortunate to see him play in Champions Tour events in Napa and Sonoma. He seemed to be a very classy gentleman and we are sure he was exactly what he seemed. May he rest in peace and God bless his family.
Chris
May 5, 2025
I offer my sincere condolences to the family of Jim Dent. What a beautiful legacy he has left his family and those of us who came behind him. May our Lord give your family comfort and strength as you mourn the loss of your loved one.
Jack Barrett
May 5, 2025
So sorry to see a nice man and a ground breaker pass away. I find it odd that a man who played a game based on strokes was taken by a stroke. May his memory encourage others to play the game
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