Jim Dent

This article is about the golfer. For the writer, see Jim Dent (author).

Jim Dent
Personal information
Full nameJames Lacey Dent
Born (1939-05-09) May 9, 1939 (age 85)
Augusta, Georgia
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight224 lb (102 kg; 16.0 st)
Sporting nationality United States
Career
CollegePaine College
Turned professional1966
Current tour(s)Champions Tour
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
Professional wins16
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour Champions12
Other4
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentDNP
PGA ChampionshipT34: 1978
U.S. OpenT36: 1979
The Open ChampionshipDNP

James Lacey Dent (born May 9, 1939) is an American professional golfer.

Dent was born in the golf mecca of Augusta, Georgia, home of the Masters Tournament, though as an African American he wouldn't have been allowed onto the Augusta National course at the time, except as a caddie. He caddied both at Augusta National and at Augusta Country Club as a youth. Dent attended Augusta's historically black Paine College.

Dent turned pro in 1966. During his regular (under 50) career he was Florida PGA Champion three times. However he is mainly notable for his success on the Senior PGA Tour (now Champions Tour), where he won 12 tournaments between 1989 and 1998. Known for his driving ability, Dent was in 1974 the inaugural winner of the World Long Drive Championship and would go on to retain the title in 1975.

Professional wins (16)

Tournament Players Series wins (1)

No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner-up
1 May 15, 1983 Michelob-Chattanooga Gold Cup Classic −12 (67-69-70-66=272) 1 stroke United States Lance Ten Broeck

Other wins (3)

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

Senior PGA Tour wins (12)

No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up
1 Jun 25, 1989 MONY Syracuse Senior Classic −15 (69-68-64=201) 1 stroke United States Al Geiberger
2 Jul 30, 1989 Newport Cup −10 (67-73-66=206) 1 stroke South Africa Harold Henning
3 Mar 18, 1990 Vantage at The Dominion −11 (69-70-66=205) 3 strokes South Africa Harold Henning
4 Jun 17, 1990 MONY Syracuse Senior Classic (2) −17 (66-67-66=199) 1 stroke United States George Archer
5 Jul 15, 1990 Kroger Senior Classic −9 (67-66=133)* 1 stroke South Africa Harold Henning
6 Sep 23, 1990 Crestar Classic −14 (73-64-65=202) 1 stroke United States Lee Trevino
7 Oct 26, 1992 Newport Cup (2) −12 (67-69-68=204) 1 stroke United States Jimmy Powell
8 Jun 5, 1994 Bruno's Memorial Classic −15 (66-68-67=201) 2 strokes New Zealand Bob Charles, United States Larry Gilbert,
United States Kermit Zarley
9 Jun 11, 1995 BellSouth Senior Classic −13 (66-69-68=203) 2 strokes United States Bob Murphy
10 Aug 25, 1996 Bank of Boston Senior Classic −12 (69-68-67=204) 1 stroke United States Jay Sigel, United States Tom Wargo
11 May 11, 1997 Home Depot Invitational −8 (68-70-70=208) Playoff United States Larry Gilbert, United States Lee Trevino
12 May 10, 1998 Home Depot Invitational (2) −9 (67-68-72=207) Playoff New Zealand Bob Charles

*Note: The 1990 Kroger Senior Classic was shortened to 36 holes due to rain.

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (2–2)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 1993 Ralphs Senior Classic United States Dale Douglass Lost to birdie on first extra hole
2 1997 Home Depot Invitational United States Larry Gilbert, United States Lee Trevino Dent won with birdie on second extra hole
Gilbert eliminated by birdie on first hole
3 1998 Home Depot Invitational New Zealand Bob Charles Won with par on third extra hole
4 2000 Vantage Championship United States Gil Morgan, United States Larry Nelson Nelson won with birdie on sixth extra hole
Dent eliminated by birdie on first hole

See also