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.
Early life and amateur career In 1931, Ferree was born in Pinebluff, North Carolina. He grew up in Winston-Salem and graduated from Richard J. Reynolds High School. Ferree learned the game of golf from his father, Purvis, long-time pro at Winston-Salem's Old Town Club.
Ferree played college golf at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Afterwards, Ferree briefly served in the U.S. Army.
Professional career In 1955, Ferree turned professional. He 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. He spent most of his thirties and forties as the director of golf at Long Cove Club in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Ferree was later a club pro and joined the Senior PGA Tour at age fifty in 1981. He was chosen by PGA Commissioner Deane Beman to be the model for the knickers-wearing player on the Senior Tour's logo. He shares the Georgia-Pacific Grand Champions record for most victories (9) with two other golfers.
Personal life Ferree lived in Hilton Head, South Carolina with his wife, Karen, also a former champion golfer.
Ferree died on March 14, 2023, at the age of 91.
Awards and honors
In 1991, he became the first golfer inducted into the University of North Carolina's Hall of Fame. In 1993, Ferree was named the Senior PGA Tour's Comeback Player of the Year.
Professional wins (19) PGA Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin ofvictoryRunner-up1Sep 1, 1958Vancouver Open Invitational69-61-69-71=270−181 stroke Billy Casper Source:
Other wins (12) this list is probably incomplete 1954 Forsyth County tournament 1955 Forsyth County tournament 1958 British Columbia Centennial Open 1961 Jamaica Open 1962 Panama Open 1963 Maracaibo Open Invitational 1966 Carolinas PGA Championship 1967 Georgia PGA Championship 1977 Tri-State Open 1978 Tri-State PGA Championship 1981 Tri-State PGA Championship 1983 Tri-State Open
Senior PGA Tour wins (2) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreTo parMargin ofvictoryRunners-up1Jul 20, 1986 Greater Grand Rapids Open68-66-70=204−9Playoff Gene Littler, Chi-Chi Rodríguez2May 26, 1991 Bell Atlantic Classic67-69-72=208−82 strokes Jim Colbert, Lee Trevino
Senior PGA Tour playoff record (1–3) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11986The Greenbrier American Express Championship Don JanuaryLost to par on first extra hole21986Greater Grand Rapids Open Gene Littler, Chi-Chi RodríguezWon with birdie on first extra hole31987Seniors International Golf Championship Al GeibergerLost to birdie on second extra hole41989GTE Suncoast Classic Bob Charles, Harold Henning, Dave HillCharles won with birdie on third extra holeFerree and Hill eliminated by birdie on first hole Source:
Other senior wins (4) this list is probably incomplete 1997 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf - Demaret Division (with George Bayer) 2002 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf - Demaret Division (with Miller Barber) 2003 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf - Demaret Division (with Miller Barber) 2006 Grand Champions team better-ball (with Jack Fleck)
U.S. national team appearances PGA Cup: 1979
Video YouTube – Jim Ferree interview (2014)
References
External links
Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame – Jim Ferree