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.

He finally earned his PGA Tour card through qualifying school in 1970, and while he never won on tour, he kept a full schedule of at least 22 tournaments for the next 16 years. Hi

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.