On Friday, August 4, 2023, Mayor Lester Miller, Commissioners, family and friends of Jim Hickman, and Recreation Department staff gathered at Historic Bowden Golf Course for a road dedication ceremony in Mr. Hickman’s honor. You can watch the full ceremony here.

“My dad, he was larger than life,” said Hickman’s son, Scott Hickman. “He believed in this golf course and community so much. He believed that if you could get golf clubs 

and get kids to play to golf, that it would change their lives. He truly believed in bringing people together on the golf course no matter your walk of life.” 

“I think I was with him more than anybody, especially here at Bowden. We were always the first ones here and the last ones to leave,” said Hickman’s son, Drew Hickman. “If he wasn’t mowing greens, he was raking bunkers, if he wasn’t raking bunkers, he was giving lessons, if he wasn’t giving lessons he was in the pro shop. He was a great man and did so much for thi

s community and I was fortunate enough to watch it firsthand.”  

A part of Millefield Road, in front of Bowden Golf Course, from Shurling Drive to Jordan Avenue was renamed to Jim Hickman Way. Hickman managed the Golf Course for 15 years until his retirement from the City of Macon to develop another private golf club, but he stayed involved at Bowden and throughout the golfing community and our county. 

“Jim Hickman deserves to be recognized and honored for his decades of service to and leadership in our community,” said Mayor Lester Miller. “Renaming a portion of Millerfield Road after him will allow us to keep his legacy alive.” 

“When he left his family at home, he came to his other family here at Bowden,” said Drew Hickman. “It’s such an honor and a blessing for this to be named after him and for his legacy to live on.” 

About Jim Hickman 

James Allen “Jim” Hickman was born in Sistersville, West Virginia, where he excelled at football, basketball, and golf, as well as being an avid musician. He often performed impromptu trumpet concerts for friends and neighbors. He further developed his natural talent for golf at West Liberty College, captaining the golf team in 1969 and 1970, leading the tale to the WVIAC West Virginia Championships and representing the school in the 1970 NAIA College Championship.

After graduating from West Liberty, he took up golf full time, working at numerous golf clubs before hearing about the opening of River North. He moved to Macon with his three sons to become the assistant PGA Professional at River North in 1975 and quickly became the Head Professional. 

In 1980, he married his wife Len, expanding their family with two daughters and another son. 

Hickman was instrumental in the creation of the Macon Pro-Am Paul Walsh Nissan Classic, which raised money for Multiple Sclerosis research and become a popular stop on the PGA’s Ben Hogan Tour, now known as the Korn Ferry Tour. In addition to making Macon a golf destination on the PGA tour, he also served as the golf coach at Mercer University, 

After 15 years at River North, Hickman joined the City of Macon to manage Bowden Golf Course for 15 years. As a result of his work, Hickman received numerous awards, including the NAACP Service to Mankind Award from the Macon Evening Sertoma Club in 1989, and the Christian Athlete Award in 1996 from Hamilton Bowden Men’s Golf Associations. 

Jim Hickman passed away on June 14, 2022.