Since 1975, Jim Roy has built a reputation for being one of Central New York’s top golfers. Not only has he etched his name into many amateur record books, he has also earned honors as a professional competitor on the PGA tour.

 

Roy's golf career began at Bishop Ludden High School where he took MVP honors in 1977, two years after he won the Onondaga County Junior Championship and a year following his qualification for the U.S. Junior Championship. Roy also took runner-up honors in the 1977 Ashe Memorial, Syracuse District and Herald Am contests. In 1978, he won the Ashe and earned his first of five District Player of the Year awards.

 

Roy had another big year in 1979. He took first in the Ashe, the Herald Am and won District Player of the Year again. He was runner-up in the NY State Amateur and qualified for his first of six U.S. Amateur events.

 

In the 1980’s, Roy became a fixture in major local tournaments and in college competition. As a student at the University of South Florida, Roy won a bevy of Florida titles and earned a slot on the Sun Belt Conference all-conference golf team three years straight. His crowning college golf achievement was the Florida State Championship.

 

Roy was named both Golfer of the Year and Player of the Year by the District Golf Association in 1981, an honor granted to only one other golfer, hall of famer John Ward. The 1980s also saw Roy win the NY State Amateur, the Emmett Kelly Masters (4 times), runner-up Porter Cup honors and the CNY Open.

 

In 1983, Roy turned pro. He qualified for the PGA Tour and the U.S. Open at Oakmont. He was runner-up in the 1986 Cosco Open and the Rhode Island Open and came in third in the New York State Open. He also won one Charity Classic. In 1989, he played in the U.S. Open at Oak Hill. In 1993, he decided to regain his amateur status and turned in his pro card. From 1998 to 2006, he has won over 16 events, including a 2006 sweep of the Ashe, District, Post-Standard and Player of the Year honors, the first player to do so in local golfing history.

 

Among his special achievements over the years: Four-time District Best Ball winner; Seven-time Bellevue Country Club champion; four-time State Mid-Am winner and owner of the Bellevue course record with a 62.

 

Career highlights:

 

1981: Post-Standard Amateur Champion (also known as the Herald Amateur)

 

1996: Roy regained his amateur status after playing as a pro for 10 years

 

2001: NYS Mid-Am Champion

 

2002: NYS Mid-Am Champion; Post-Standard Amateur Champion 2002 Claire L. Smith Golf Classic Skins winner

 

2004: NYS Mid-Am Champion

 

2006: Ashe Memorial, SDGA; Compiled a 6-under 207 total to win the rain-shortened Post-Standard Amateur for the third time; Won the local triple crown (P-S Am, Gerry Ashe Memorial and SDGA District Amateur)

 

2007: Won the Ashe Memorial, the only district event he entered that year

 

2008: Won the 52nd annual Post-Standard Amateur by four strokes over his son Kevin at Colgate University's Seven Oaks Golf Club, his fourth overall P-S Amateur title

 

2010: Jim joined the PGA's Champions Tour as a full time member