Half & Quarter Century Members

Jimmy Gamblin and Denton Scott Reach the 50-Year Mark as PGA Members

July 2022

Jimmy Gamblin, PGA was born and raised in Meridian, MS. He grew up playing golf at Northwood Country Club under golf professional Ira C. “Bill” Davis. Gamblin graduated from Meridian High School in 1963 where he played on the golf team, winning the MS State Championship. He continued his education at Meridian Community College and the University of Mississippi where he was a member of the Ole Miss golf team and the Mississippi Intercollegiate Championship winner. After graduating in 1968 he became the assistant professional at Northwood CC under Bill Davis. Jimmy became the head professional at Briarwood Country Club in Meridian, MS from 1970-1977 and the head pro at Northwood CC from 1977 until his retirement in 2013.

Jimmy’s focus and motivation have always been his junior golfers. Inspired by his mentor, Bill Davis, Gamblin always wanted to be the same kind of positive influence on the lives of his juniors that Bill was to him. His passion for teaching and supporting youth resulted in the growth of many new opportunities for juniors to learn and develop their game. This later included his involvement in establishing the Meridian Junior Golf Association and First Tee Meridian. He was awarded the Robbie Webb Award for outstanding support of junior golf, served as Vice President of the Mississippi Chapter of the Gulf States PGA, and was inducted into the Gulf States PGA Hall of Fame in 2016. He has been a friend and mentor to junior golfers across the state of Mississippi, believing that his greatest achievement was all the junior golfers who went on to play golf at the college level, became PGA members, and simply lived out their love for the game.

Denton Scott, PGA was born in Quitman, MS, but spent most of his youth in Columbia, MS. He graduated from Columbia High School where he played football, basketball, baseball, golf, and ran track. Following high school, he attended Mississippi State University, where, as a freshman, he was on the basketball and golf teams. He later lettered three years in varsity golf. Upon graduation, he coached football, basketball, and track in Columbia and served as the Club Professional at the Country Club of Columbia where he had grown up playing golf. 

In 1969, Denton became Head Professional and Club Manager at the Pass Christian Isles Golf Club. In 1970 he became Head Professional and later Club Manager at Hickory Hill Golf Course in Gautier, MS. After 3 years he moved to Dothan, AL where he served 7 years as Golf Professional at the Dothan Country Club. In 1980 he moved to Birmingham, AL. There, he worked at Inverness, a 1600-acre mixed-use development property owned by MetLife and managed by Taylor & Mathis, for 24 years. At Inverness, he served as Director of Golf, Club Manager, and held other responsibilities at the apartment complex and residential development. 

A highlight of Denton’s career was his involvement with the Future Masters. In his last year, there were over 700 participants from over 40 states and 10 foreign countries. This made it the largest junior tournament in the world played on one course. 

Denton Scott was awarded the PGA Section Golf Professional of the Year 3 times, Merchandiser of the Year, and several Bill Strausbaugh awards.

Congratulations Jimmy Gamblin & Denton Scott for 50 Great Years!