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Wikipedia / Jim Colbert

James Joseph Colbert (March 9, 1941 – May 10, 2026) was an American professional golfer.

Early life and amateur career

Colbert was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, on March 9, 1941. He attended Kansas State University on a football scholarship, but after sustaining an injury he turned to golf. In 1964, he finished second in the NCAA golf championships. Colbert graduated in 1965.

Professional career

In 1965, Colbert turned professional. Colbert won eight times on the PGA Tour, including twice in 1983 when he finished a career best fifteenth on the money list. He played in 44 major championships, collecting three top-five finishes.

As a senior Colbert won 20 tournaments on the Champions Tour, including a senior major championship, the 1993 Senior Players Championship.

Colbert worked as a golf analyst for ESPN and had his own golf course management company based in Pahrump, Nevada. He also helped design a golf course in Manhattan, Kansas, named Colbert Hills, which was ranked by Golfweek as the best public course in Kansas, and by Golf Digest as the eighth-best course overall in the state.

Colbert was known for wearing a distinctive bucket hat on the golf course.

Thoroughbred racing

With an interest in thoroughbred racing, in 1993 Colbert purchased a racemare named Fit to Lead in partnership with Connie Sczesny and the Chairman of Hollywood Park Racetrack, Randall D. Hubbard. Trained by U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee Richard Mandella for the three partners, Fit to Lead won several graded stakes including the Princess Stakes at Hollywood Park plus at Churchill Downs, the Fleur de Lis Stakes and Louisville Budweiser Breeders' Cup Handicap.

Death

Colbert died on May 10, 2026, at the age of 85.

Awards and honors

Colbert is enshrined in the: Kansas State Athletic Hall of Fame (1991), Kansas Sports Hall of Fame (1998), Kansas City Golf Hall of Fame (2018), Las Vegas Golf Hall of Fame (2019), and the Southern Nevada Sports Hall of Fame (2000).

Professional wins (35)

PGA Tour wins (8)

PGA Tour playoff record (2–0)

Other wins (1)

Senior PGA Tour wins (20)

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (3–5)

Other senior wins (6)

Results in major championships

WD = withdrew CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1984 Open Championship) "T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary

  • Most consecutive cuts made – 10 (1978 PGA – 1982 PGA)

  • Longest streak of top-10s – 2 (1974 Masters – 1974 U.S. Open)

Results in The Players Championship

CUT = missed the halfway cut WD = withdrew "T" indicates a tie for a place

Senior major championships

Wins (1)

U.S. national team appearances

Professional

See also

Notes

References