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.

FILE - Jim Dent watches his ball from the 18th tee Friday, Feb. 18, 2000, during the first round of the GTE Classic at The Tournament Players Club in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Martin, File ...

Golf legend Jim Dent has passed away at the age of 85, as tributes flooded in from the sporting world© Stan Badz/PGA Gary Player has issued a heartfelt tribute to a PGA Tour icon after he passed ...

FILE - Jim Dent watches his ball from the 18th tee Friday, Feb. 18, 2000, during the first round of the GTE Classic at The Tournament Players Club in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Martin, File ...

Dent went on to become one of the PGA Tour’s longest hitters and one of the top Black golfers of his generation. He died on Friday at age 85, a week before his birthday, his grandson posted o… ...

Obit-Dent FILE - Jim Dent watches his ball from the 18th tee Friday, Feb. 18, 2000, during the first round of the GTE Classic at The Tournament Players Club in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Martin ...

His son, Jim Dent Jr., now is the head pro at The Patch. Augusta National is pouring support into upgrading the municipal course under the work of architects Tom Fazio and Beau Welling.

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 ...