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Gulf States Section of the PGA of America mourns death of James Ray Carpenter
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James Ray ( J . R .) Carpenter of Hattiesburg , Mississippi , the 25th president of the PGA of America , passed away early Wednesday at his daughter ’ s home in Hattiesburg following complications from congestive heart failure . He was 91 .
Carpenter was elected to PGA membership in 1969 , and served as PGA President from 1987-88 , applying both homespun wit and counsel to become a respected leader within the golf industry .
Through Carpenter ’ s nearly 50 years in professional golf , he never wavered in bringing to his work leadership , fairness and a strong sense of understanding the PGA Member .
“ The PGA of America is saddened by the passing of J . R . Carpenter , a loyal and passionate PGA Professional who followed a simple yet effective formula in life – leave the place better than when you arrived ,” said PGA of America President Paul K . Levy . “ J . R . mentored so many who went on to meaningful positions in the golf industry . He had a wonderful way about him with down-home humor , but he never lost sight of the mission of the PGA , and what the Association could do for its members . We will miss him and our thoughts and prayers are with
his family .”
Carpenter graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi ( USM ) in Hattiesburg with a B . S . and a subsequent Master ’ s Degree in physical education in 1951 . He spent three years in the U . S . Air Force a first lieutenant . Following his service , Carpenter returned to civilian life to become a high school basketball coach in Biloxi , Mississippi . He first sold insurance before moving into oil field supplies .
Born in Runnelstown , Mississippi on Dec . 12 , 1926 , Carpenter was an all-state football and basketball player in high school . He didn ’ t touch a golf club until he was 33 years old – being introduced to the game in 1959 through a customer at Duncan Park Municipal Golf Course in Natchez , Mississippi . As a salesman of oil field supplies , Carpenter ’ s career path soon transformed into golf .
“ I vowed right there and then that the next time I played I was at least going to be able to find my ball once I managed to hit it ,” Carpenter recalled years later . He applied his athletic skills to golf , and was scoring in the 70s and low 80s at the University of Southern Mississippi golf course in Hattiesburg , where he played with other USM alumni .
In 1964 , the USM physical education instructor who also acted as golf coach , head professional and course superintendent was retiring and school officials searched for a replacement . Carpenter , then one of the facility ’ s best golfers , was offered the position and accepted .
His leadership skills led his golf teams to winning seasons in each of his 13 years with USM . His son , Jimmy , would eventually follow his father and became a PGA Professional and USM golf coach .
Carpenter went on to make an impact in the PGA of America following his election to membership in 1969 . From his term as president of the Gulf States PGA Section in 1975 to serving on the PGA Board of Directors ( 1980-82 ), Carpenter ’ s role in the Association