Honing his skills on segregated courses, he became one of the few Black golfers in the pro ranks, following the lead of Charlie Sifford, Pete Brown and Lee Elder.

Jim Dent grew up in the caddie yards of Augusta, Georgia, eventually working at the Masters and honing his game at the municipal course known as “The Patch.” He went on to become one of the PGA Tour’s longest hitters and one of the top Black golfers of his generation.

Jim Dent, who learned the game as a caddie and became one of the best Black golfers of his era, died on May 2, according to his family. He was 85.