Jim Dent
James Lacey Dent (born May 9, 1939) is an American professional golfer.
| Jim Dent | |
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Full name | James Lacey Dent |
| Born | May 9, 1939 Augusta, Georgia |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight | 224 lb (102 kg; 16.0 st) |
| Sporting nationality |  United States |
| Career | |
| College | Paine College |
| Turned professional | 1966 |
| Current tour(s) | Champions Tour |
| Former tour(s) | PGA Tour |
| Professional wins | 16 |
| Number of wins by tour | |
| PGA Tour Champions | 12 |
| Other | 4 |
| Best results in major championships | |
| Masters Tournament | DNP |
| PGA Championship | T34: 1978 |
| U.S. Open | T36: 1979 |
| The Open Championship | DNP |
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 | 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 | Al Geiberger |
| 2 | Jul 30, 1989 | Newport Cup | −10 (67-73-66=206) | 1 stroke | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Harold Henning |
| 3 | Mar 18, 1990 | Vantage at The Dominion | −11 (69-70-66=205) | 3 strokes | Harold Henning |
| 4 | Jun 17, 1990 | MONY Syracuse Senior Classic (2) | −17 (66-67-66=199) | 1 stroke | George Archer |
| 5 | Jul 15, 1990 | Kroger Senior Classic | −9 (67-66=133)* | 1 stroke | Harold Henning |
| 6 | Sep 23, 1990 | Crestar Classic | −14 (73-64-65=202) | 1 stroke | Lee Trevino |
| 7 | Oct 26, 1992 | Newport Cup (2) | −12 (67-69-68=204) | 1 stroke | Jimmy Powell |
| 8 | Jun 5, 1994 | Bruno's Memorial Classic | −15 (66-68-67=201) | 2 strokes |  Bob Charles, Larry Gilbert, Kermit Zarley |
| 9 | Jun 11, 1995 | BellSouth Senior Classic at Opryland | −13 (66-69-68=203) | 2 strokes | Bob Murphy |
| 10 | Aug 25, 1996 | Bank of Boston Senior Classic | −12 (69-68-67=204) | 1 stroke | Jay Sigel, Tom Wargo |
| 11 | May 11, 1997 | The Home Depot Invitational | −8 (68-70-70=208) | Playoff | Larry Gilbert, Lee Trevino |
| 12 | May 10, 1998 | The Home Depot Invitational (2) | −9 (67-68-72=207) | Playoff | 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 | Dale Douglass |
Lost to birdie on first extra hole |
| 2 | 1997 | The Home Depot Invitational | Larry Gilbert, Lee Trevino |
Dent won with birdie on second extra hole Gilbert eliminated by birdie on first hole |
| 3 | 1998 | The Home Depot Invitational | Bob Charles |
Won with par on third extra hole |
| 4 | 2000 | Vantage Championship | Gil Morgan, Larry Nelson |
Nelson won with birdie on sixth extra hole Dent eliminated by birdie on first hole |