Jim Dent facts for kids

James Lacey Dent (born May 9, 1939) was a famous American professional golfer who passed away on May 2, 2025. People called him "Big Boy" because he was tall and could hit the golf ball very far! He played golf professionally for over 40 years on two main tours: the PGA Tour and the PGA Tour Champions.

On the PGA Tour, he won four smaller tournaments and earned a lot of money. He also won the first two World Long Drive Championships in 1974 and 1975, showing how powerful his golf swing was. Later, on the PGA Tour Champions, he won 12 tournaments and earned over $9 million. Jim Dent was honored for his amazing career by being added to several Halls of Fame, including the Caddie Hall of Fame and the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Golf Beginnings

Jim Dent was born in Augusta, Georgia, which is famous for hosting the Masters Tournament. He was one of six children. Sadly, his mother passed away when he was six, and his father died when he was 12. After that, his aunt, Mary Benton, raised him and some of his siblings. They lived in a neighborhood called Sand Hills.

As a teenager, Jim played golf with his friends on a local course. Like his older brother Paul, Jim started working as a caddie at the Augusta National Golf Club. A caddie is someone who carries a golfer's clubs and helps them during a game. His brother Paul even caddied for President Dwight Eisenhower!

First Caddie Job and Clubs

When Jim was 15, he worked as a caddie in his first Masters tournament in 1956. He carried the golf bags for famous players like Bob Rosburg, Bob Goalby, and Frank Stranahan. When he was 17, he bought his very first set of golf clubs for $30.

Jim went to Laney High School and played football there. He was teammates with Emerson Boozer, who later became a professional football player in the NFL.

Amateur Golf Career

In 1959, Jim Dent received a football scholarship to Paine College in Augusta. He played as an "end" on the football team. However, he left college after one year to focus on his dream of becoming a professional golfer.

Starting Out in Golf

Jim began his golf career in Atlantic City, New Jersey. He worked as a busboy and waiter at night, and spent his days practicing golf. In 1961, he returned to Augusta to caddie for Patty Berg at a major women's golf tournament called the Titleholders Championship.

In his twenties, Jim started playing in local golf tournaments. He later moved to California, where he met Mose "Mo" Stevens. Mr. Stevens was a successful businessman who helped Jim by paying for his practice sessions and sponsoring him on the professional golf tour.

Professional Golf Journey

Jim Dent officially became a professional golfer in 1966. He played on smaller golf circuits and in events organized by the United Golfers Association. This association was important because it brought together the best Black golfers of that time. In 1969, Jim won the National Negro Open and other tournaments.

Playing on the PGA Tour

Jim tried to join the main PGA Tour in 1968 and 1969 but didn't make it. Finally, in 1970, he successfully qualified for the PGA Tour.

He had a long and successful career on the PGA Tour, playing in 450 tournaments. He played in at least 22 tournaments every year for 16 years in a row! Even though he didn't win an official PGA Tour event, he finished in the top 10 twenty-five times. He also played in five U.S. Opens and six PGA Championships.

In the 1970s, Jim Dent was known as one of the golfers who could hit the ball the farthest. People estimated he could drive a golf ball between 315 and 340 yards! He was one of several Black golfers on the PGA Tour during that time, including Lee Elder, Charlie Sifford, and Calvin Peete.

His best finish on the PGA Tour was in 1972 at the Walt Disney World Open Invitational. He finished tied for second place, just behind the legendary Jack Nicklaus. Jim earned $11,600 from that tournament. In 1974, he had his best year on the Tour, earning enough money to be in the top 60 players.

Jim Dent won the first two World Long Drive Championships in 1974 and 1975. He also won the Florida PGA Championship three years in a row, from 1976 to 1978.

Success on the PGA Tour Champions

In 1989, when Jim turned 50, he joined the Senior Tour (now called the PGA Tour Champions). He was named "Rookie-of-the-Year" by several golf magazines.

In 1990, he had an amazing year, winning four tournaments. One of his wins was the MONY Syracuse Senior Classic, where he had a very low score of 17 strokes under par. That year, he finished in the top 10 for earnings for the first time, making almost $700,000.

Throughout his senior career, Jim Dent finished in the top 10 on the money list seven times. He won more than $9 million in total! He retired from the Champions Tour in 2010.

Family Life

Jim Dent had seven children. He had a daughter, Charlene, with his first wife. With his second wife, Willye Malveaux Dent, he had a daughter and a son. Later, they adopted four more children. Because of his successful golf career, Jim was able to send all his children to college and buy a house for his aunt Mary, who had raised him.

Many of Jim's family members are also involved in golf. His oldest son, James Dent, is a head golf professional. His son, Joseph Dent, played golf in high school and is now trying to become a professional golfer. Joseph and his twin brother, Joshua, were named "Youth Golfers of the Year" in 2017. Jim's grandson, Andre Lacey II, coaches college golf.

Passing Away

In 2025, Jim Dent, who was recovering from a stroke, attended the Masters tournament. He was there to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Lee Elder becoming the first Black player to play in the tournament. The day after, Jim had another stroke and passed away on May 2, 2025, at the age of 85.

Awards and Honors

Jim Dent received many awards and honors for his contributions to golf:

• In 1992, he was inducted into the National Black Golf Hall of Fame.
• In 1994, he joined the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame.
• In 2006, he was inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame.
• In 2008, he was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
• In 2009, he joined the Paine College Sports Hall of Fame.
• In 2013, he was honored at the Augusta Museum of History.
• In 2020, the road leading to Augusta Municipal Golf Course was renamed "Jim Dent Way" in his honor.
• In 2022, Jim Dent was inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame.

Professional Wins

Jim Dent won a total of 16 professional tournaments.

Tournament Players Series Wins (1)

• 1983 Michelob-Chattanooga Gold Cup Classic

Other Wins (3)

• 1976 Florida PGA Championship
• 1977 Florida PGA Championship
• 1978 Florida PGA Championship

Senior PGA Tour Wins (12)

• 1989 MONY Syracuse Senior Classic
• 1989 Newport Cup
• 1990 Vantage at The Dominion
• 1990 MONY Syracuse Senior Classic (2)
• 1990 Kroger Senior Classic
• 1990 Crestar Classic
• 1992 Newport Cup (2)
• 1994 Bruno's Memorial Classic
• 1995 BellSouth Senior Classic
• 1996 Bank of Boston Senior Classic
• 1997 Home Depot Invitational
• 1998 Home Depot Invitational (2)