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.”

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.

Jim Dent, a pioneering African American golfer from Augusta, has died. He helped desegregate local golf, once caddied at Augusta National, and later won 12 times as a pro. His grandson, Andre Lacey, shared the news on social media.