Jim Ferree

Purvis Jennings "Jim" Ferree (June 10, 1931 – March 14, 2023) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour.[1]

Jim Ferree
Personal information
Full namePurvis Jennings Ferree
NicknameJim
Born(1931-06-10)June 10, 1931
Pinebluff, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedMarch 14, 2023(2023-03-14) (aged 91)
Sporting nationality United States
ResidenceHilton Head, South Carolina
Career
CollegeNorth Carolina
Turned professional1955
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
Senior PGA Tour
Professional wins19
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour1
PGA Tour Champions2
Other12 (regular)
4 (senior)
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentDNP
PGA ChampionshipT28: 1964
U.S. OpenT17: 1957
The Open ChampionshipDNP

Born in Pinebluff, North Carolina, Ferree grew up in Winston-Salem and graduated from Reynolds High School. He learned the game of golf from his father, Purvis, long-time pro at Winston-Salem's Old Town Golf Club.[2][3] Ferree played college golf at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.[4] Following service in the U.S. Army, he turned professional in late 1955.[5]

Ferree had one PGA Tour win during his regular career years. He was regarded as one of the very best in the game in the tee-to-green ball-striking phase of the game, but putting was always his weakness.[4] He spent most of his thirties and forties as the director of golf at Long Cove Club in Hilton Head, South Carolina.[6]

Ferree was later a club pro and joined the Senior PGA Tour at age fifty in 1981.[1] He was chosen by PGA Commissioner Deane Beman to be the model for the knickers-wearing player on the Senior Tour's logo.[7][8] He shares the Georgia-Pacific Grand Champions record for most victories (9) with two other golfers. He was the Senior PGA Tour's Comeback Player of the Year in 1993.

In 1991, he became the first golfer inducted into the University of North Carolina's Hall of Fame.[4] He lived in Hilton Head, South Carolina with his wife, Karen, also a former champion golfer.[6]

Ferree died on March 14, 2023, at the age of 91.[9][10]

Professional wins (19)

PGA Tour wins (1)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
victory		Runner-up
1 Sep 1, 1958 Vancouver Open Invitational 69-61-69-71=270 −18 1 stroke United States Billy Casper

Other wins (12)

this list is probably incomplete

Senior PGA Tour wins (2)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin of
victory		Runners-up
1 Jul 20, 1986 Greater Grand Rapids Open 68-66-70=204 −9 Playoff United States Gene Littler, United States Chi-Chi Rodríguez
2 May 26, 1991 Bell Atlantic Classic 67-69-72=208 −8 2 strokes United States Jim Colbert, United States Lee Trevino

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (1–3)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 1986 The Greenbrier American Express Championship United States Don January Lost to par on first extra hole
2 1986 Greater Grand Rapids Open United States Gene Littler, United States Chi-Chi Rodríguez Won with birdie on first extra hole
3 1987 Seniors International Golf Championship United States Al Geiberger Lost to birdie on second extra hole
4 1989 GTE Suncoast Classic New Zealand Bob Charles, South Africa Harold Henning,
United States Dave Hill		 Charles won with birdie on third extra hole
Ferree and Hill eliminated by birdie on first hole

Other senior wins (4)

this list is probably incomplete

U.S. national team appearances

Video
  • YouTube – Jim Ferree interview (2014)

References
  1. Kienzl, Ray (July 3, 1989). "Ferree finds new career begins at 50". Pittsburgh Press. p. D-9.
  2. "Purvis Ferree senior pro-am set for Lexington". The Dispatch. Lexington, North Carolina. May 13, 1989. p. 13.
  3. Wehrle, Bruce (May 19, 1989). "Ferree honored". The Dispatch. Lexington, North Carolina. (photo). p. 11.
  4. Ulrich, Max. "Super Senior Jim Ferree Reminices at Last Year's Vantage". Triad Golf Today. Archived from the original on November 7, 2007. Retrieved November 2, 2007.
  5. "Jim Ferree bids fair to become big golf name". Tuscaloosa News. Alabama. Associated Press. December 17, 1955. p. 10.
  6. "Ferree Is At Home At Long Cove Club". Retrieved November 2, 2007.
  7. Ferree, Jim (September 2, 1999). "My shot". Sports Illustrated. p. G18.
  8. "Home Course: Jim Ferree". Discover South Carolina. Retrieved July 11, 2016.
  9. Kirschner, Steve (March 14, 2023). "Tar Heel, PGA Golfer Jim Ferree (1931–2023)". goheels.com. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  10. "Jim Ferree, two-time PGA Tour Champions winner, dies at age 91". PGA Tour. March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
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