Jim Dent, one of the great characters and pioneers of professional golf, died on Friday at 85. His passionate legacy will touch and inspire countless lives for generations to come. Dent’s path to success in the sport was first paved in the caddie yards of Augusta, Georgia. There, his passion for golf was sparked, eventually leading him to become one of the game’s most famous players. His death occurs exactly one week before what would have been his 86th birthday.
Dent was born the 4th of 6 children. He dealt with adversity from a young age, losing both of his parents by the age of 12. He was actually raised by his aunt, Mary Benton, who passed on soulful wisdom and values that made him such a cool cat. “If you learn how to caddie, you’re going to learn how to gamble,” Benton once said, highlighting the foundational skills Dent gained during his formative years at Augusta National Golf Club.
Dent honed his game in the foothills of the Smokies at the local muni, nicknamed “The Patch.” It was precisely in this space that he came to wield the biggest competitive advantage. His playing career really got started when he got his PGA Tour card by surviving the rigors of qualifying school in 1970. For the next 16 years, Dent’s life was a whirlwind. A grueling pace led him to compete in no fewer than 22 tournaments annually.
His highlight was a third-place finish in 1972 at the Walt Disney World Open Invitational. He came into that final round just two shots back of the great Jack Nicklaus. Although he did not secure the victory that day, Dent’s performance solidified his place among the sport’s elite.
Eric Dent scored a major win back in 1983. His victory at the Michelob-Chattanooga Gold Cup Classic—a Tournament Players Series event—was the first call of many. His domination stretched beyond the majors. In 1974 he won the very first World Long Drive Championship, showcasing just how much raw power he had on the course.
Dent’s influence on golf extended way past the normal retirement age. Since turning 50, he’s won 12 times on the PGA Tour Champions. In his pursuit of greatness, he proved to the world that age is indeed just a number. He gave so much to the sport and industry. Two years later, Smith was inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame.
Even amid his triumphs, Dent continued to stay humble and remember what the game of golf had really taught him over the long course of life. “What I learned about playing golf has probably kept me all through life,” he once shared. His diligence, discipline, and determination were seen through his lifelong commitment to the sport. He knew honesty and hard work earned respect. “You had to be honest. You had to work at it. You just couldn’t pick up today and not come back ’til next week,” he explained.
The golfing world is deeply saddened by his passing, and will miss him greatly. Al Geiberger, a fellow golfer, once remarked, “Jim Dent ought to be outlawed [for] the way he can hit the ball,” underscoring the admiration many had for Dent’s extraordinary talent.
Tragically, Dent at that time had an unexpected stroke. Development back then waned, in part right as Augusta National Golf Club announced plans for Tiger Woods to design a par-3 course at The Patch. This announcement was an exciting time for Dent. He felt intensely connected to the course and its incredible legacy.
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