An annual golf fundraiser will have an added distinction this year.
Augustan Jim Dent will be inducted into the Caddie Hall of Fame at the pairing reception of the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History Friday.
According to Leon Maben, the golf tournament coordinator, members of the Augusta National’s Black Caddie corps were already slated to be honored at the reception, and it worked out to have Dent’s induction in Augusta that night.
The 84 year-old Dent not only spent years as a professional caddie but he played as part of the Professional Golf Association on its regular tour and seniors tour, now known as the “champions” tour.
Dent won four unofficial PGA tournaments and a dozen on the senior circuit.
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The Black Caddie corps was a longstanding tradition at the Augusta National until 1982 – thus 2022 marks the 40th anniversary this year of the corps’ end, said Maben for the reasoning behind honoring the remaining living members at the May 20 reception.
This year’s tournament pays tribute to 50 years of Augusta National Black Caddies.
Part of the Laney Museum’s mission is the preservation of the history of Augusta’s African American community, and members of the corps were from Augusta.
“We try to tell the African American story of golf in Augusta,” said Maben.
In addition to the reception and golf tournament, an exhibition related to that theme is on display at the museum.
Most members of the Black Caddie corps got their start at the Augusta Country Club.
“It was the training ground,” said Maben.
They were promoted to the Augusta National. They often lent their golf expertise to golf greats such as Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, he said.
Other members of the corps to be honored at the reception Friday include Lewis Butler, Jessie “Main Man” Ross, Roy Dean, Horace Dent, Porky Dent, Bernard Dent, Carl Jackson, Jariah “Bubba” Beard, Robert “Cigarette” Jones, Tommy “Biscuit” Bennett, Marion Harrington, Carl Howard, Justin “Bud” Jackson, Richard Marshall, Leroy Johnson, Ike Choice and Tommy Smalley.
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The reception will be from 6 to 9 p.m.
The golf tournament will begin with registration at 7 a.m. May 21 with the shotgun start beginning at 8:30 a.m. The entry fee is $85 until May 20 and comes with a one-year free subscription to “Golf Digest magazine.” Entry fees are $95 per golfer on day of the tournament.
“All funds raised from the tournament will be used to renovate the Museum’s Administration building, which is in dire need of repairs,” according to a news release.
For more information, call (404) 488-3207.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the managing editor of The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com
