Jim Dent, a pioneering figure in the world of golf and a proud native of Augusta, Georgia, passed away on May 2, 2025, at the age of 85. His death followed complications from a stroke he suffered earlier in the year, according to family reports.
Dent’s journey in the sport is nothing short of extraordinary—a story of resilience, raw talent, and breaking barriers in a game that was long closed off to Black athletes. Born in 1939 in segregated Augusta, Dent got his start in golf not as a player but as a caddie at the prestigious Augusta National Golf Club, a course that would not admit Black players for decades. Though barred from playing there himself, Dent used the opportunity to sharpen his understanding of the game and his swing, eventually building one of the most powerful drives in golf history.
After attending Paine College, a historically Black college in Augusta, Dent turned professional and earned his PGA Tour card in 1970. In 1974, he made headlines when he won the inaugural World Long Drive Championship, a fitting crown for a man whose driving prowess became legendary. Though he never won on the PGA Tour, he was a consistent presence and a respected competitor.
Dent’s real dominance came after he turned 50 and joined the PGA Tour Champions (then the Senior PGA Tour), where he captured 12 tournament victories between 1989 and 1998. His success on the senior circuit solidified his status as one of the game’s greats and a role model for aspiring Black golfers.
But Dent’s impact went far beyond his trophy count. He opened doors for Black athletes in golf, challenging the norms of an exclusionary sport and inspiring future generations to pursue the game. In 2020, his hometown of Augusta honored him by renaming the road leading to its municipal golf course—where he played countless rounds—as “Jim Dent Way.”
Despite the accolades and recognition, Dent remained humble. He rarely sought the spotlight, instead focusing on mentoring younger players and staying connected to the community that shaped him.
Jim Dent leaves behind a towering legacy, not only for what he accomplished on the course but for the barriers he broke along the way. He proved that greatness can rise from humble beginnings and that determination, grit, and talent can change the face of a sport.
He will be remembered as a champion, a trailblazer, and a son of Augusta who never forgot where he came from.
