Sunday saw the passing of 20-time PGA Champions Tour winner Jim Colbert at 85 years of age. With the golf community in mourning, fans remember his iconic accessory - the bucket hat.

The veteran went from being a football scholarship holder at Kansas State University to becoming a legendary golfer with more than a thousand combined starts under his belt on the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions.

One of his most defining traits remains his signature bucket hat. While it became a marketing trademark, it was born from a terrifying sunstroke incident at a 1957 tournament in Kansas.

"Lee Trevino has the sombrero. Jack Nicklaus has the bear, I have my hat," Colbert once famously remarked about his signature headwear, as mentioned in the PGA Tour Champions tribute post.

The bucket hat was important for Colbert since it gave the necessary sun protection. It was more than a fashion trend for the golfer, but a functional necessity.

In 1970, he attempted to play without the bucket hat and wore a baseball hat for six months instead. But after that, he discovered that people couldn’t recognize him anymore.

This choice highlights how a functional necessity evolved into a powerful personal brand. It helped the New Jersey native stand out among the giants of the game.

A Legacy of Resilience on the Greens 

The resilience went further than what he wore. Colbert suffered a harsh diagnosis of cancer in 1996, and his career almost came to an end at this point.

Having undergone treatment successfully, he returned to excellence after two years. In 1998, his return victory in the Transamerica Championship made him earn the prestigious Comeback Player of the Year honors.

The desire to succeed was seen early. After earning less than $2,000 as a rookie in 1966, he steadily climbed the ranks to become a dominant force and earned $25,425 in 1967.

In the end, Colbert is tied tenth for the most wins on the PGA Tour Champions circuit, with 20 or more victories. It seems like his longevity is comparable to the durability of his hats.

Colbert's talents extended to being an ESPN analyst as well. Fans appreciated his direct approach, just as they did when they watched him competing during each tournament day.

It may seem like the "Bucket Hat" era is over, but his legacy on the Champions Tour and a 1,091-record in professional starts will guide coming generations.

What do you think of Jim Colbert's signature bucket hat look? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Abhishek Sharma

Edited by

Surjo Ray