Jim Ferree

Purvis Jennings "Jim" Ferree (born June 10, 1931) is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour.[1]

Jim Ferree
Personal information
Full name	Purvis Jennings Ferree
Nickname	Jim
Born	(1931-06-10) June 10, 1931 Pinebluff, North Carolina
Nationality	United States
Residence	Hilton Head, South Carolina
Career
College	North Carolina
Turned professional	1955
Former tour(s)	PGA Tour Senior PGA Tour
Professional wins	At least 19
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour	1
PGA Tour Champions	2
Other	11 (regular) 4 (senior)
Best results in major championships
Masters Tournament	DNP
PGA Championship	T28: 1964
U.S. Open	T17: 1957
The Open Championship	DNP

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 lives in Hilton Head, South Carolina with his wife, Karen, also a former champion golfer.[6]