Jim Colbert, a prominent figure in professional golf, has passed away at the age of 85. Known for his distinctive bucket hat, Colbert won eight times on the PGA Tour and secured 20 victories on the PGA Tour Champions. The announcement of his death was made by the PGA Tour, although the cause has not been disclosed.
Early Life and Career Path
Born in New Jersey, Jim Colbert had initially pursued football at Kansas State University on a scholarship. An injury during his time at college shifted his focus to golf, where he quickly made a name for himself. Colbert finished as the runner-up at the NCAA Championship in 1964, showcasing his potential, which led to his entry into the PGA Tour just two years later.
Achievements on the PGA Tour
Colbert earned his first professional win at the 1969 Monsanto Invitational Open. Over the course of his career, he accumulated eight PGA Tour victories. Among his notable performances in major tournaments, he achieved two top-five finishes in 1974 — a tie for fourth at the Masters and a tie for fifth at the U.S. Open held at Winged Foot.
The year 1983 marked Colbert’s standout season, during which he won twice and finished as the 15th highest earner on the money list. His flair and consistency allowed him to carve out a significant legacy in the world of golf.
Success Beyond Competition
Following his 50th birthday, Colbert excelled on the PGA Tour Champions, accumulating 20 additional victories in this senior circuit. In 1996, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which led to surgery. Remarkably, he made a comeback to competitive golf two years later, winning The Transamerica. This resilience underscored his dedication to the sport.
Outside of his golfing achievements, Colbert established a successful business empire within the golf industry. He purchased his first golf course in Las Vegas in 1980. Over time, his company, Jim Colbert Golf, expanded to own 23 courses, employing approximately 700 individuals and generating significant revenue estimated at around $50 million.
Legacy and Contributions to Golf
In his later years, Colbert resided primarily in Las Vegas, while still maintaining strong connections to his alma mater, Kansas State University. The university’s men’s and women’s golf teams play at Colbert Hills Golf Club in Manhattan, Kansas, a course he helped design that opened in 2000. His contributions to both the sport and the community were recognized with inductions into several prestigious halls of fame, including the Kansas State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991, the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame in 2019.
Jim Colbert will be remembered not only for his accomplishments on the golf course but also for his significant contributions to the game and the community. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of golfers.