Jim Hilton & John Colbert Celebrate the 4th of July in Style!
Local Golf Professional Celebrates Silver Anniversary
May 1, 1986 seems like only yesterday to Ould Newbury Golf Club Head Golf Professional Jim Hilton. That was the day that the then 25 year old golf apprentice became a member of the New England Section of the PGA of America. It took 3 years of on the job training, class room studies, interviews and the successful completion of a playing ability test (PAT) for Hilton to achieve a childhood dream of being a professional golfer. Now 25 years later Jim says he would not have changed a thing.
A native of Newbury, Hilton grew up at Ould Newbury Golf Club and graduated from Triton High School in 1979 where he not only excelled at golf but was also starred on the football and basketball teams. After graduation, Jim began working full time in the pro shop under the tutelage of then Head Pro Alex Burns and became head pro in 1984 due to the illness of Burns.
During his early years as a pro, Hilton focused on learning his craft. Whether it was the opening or closing of the pro shop and clubhouse, gassing up golf carts, running tournaments, giving golf lessons, merchandising, ordering equipment, dealing with the public or working with the membership, Jim learned quickly that 13-14 hour days from April through November were the norm. Later on Jim perfected his golf game and became one of the most proficient golf professionals on the North Shore. Jim had his first hole in one in 1987 at Ould Newbury's 6th hole. He has since had 2 more at that same hole. Hilton was runner up in 1990 as Eastern Massachusetts, New England Section PGA player of the year, an award he was to go on and win in 2002. Jim holds the course record (64) at Ould Newbury. He initially broke the existing course record on June 9, 2000, a day filled with thunderstorms that took out a massive willow tree on the 1st hole. He went on to match that same score in 2002.
Past president, long time member and close friend, David Leary likes to compare Hilton to a doctor of general medicine. "Jim is basically responsible for the well being of the entire golf club. He works with the board of governors, the course superintendent, Nathan Walker, and the entire staff, to assure all systems are operating at peak performance. If not he does whatever is necessary to fix it. This now includes his new managerial responsibilities of the restaurant and lounge which began just this month. Jim's concern is the success of the entire place, but let's say he could not do it all if not for the help of his wife and pro shop partner for the last 20 plus years, Judy."
Judy (Burns) Hilton is the daughter of the late club pro Alex and Dottie Burns and spends just as much time in the pro shop as Jim where she excels at keeping him headed in the right direction. They say that behind every successful man is a great woman. This is never more true that with Jim and Judy. The Hilton's reside in Newburyport and when not at the club, enjoy their 4 grandchildren Maxim, Nola, Genna and recent arrival Alexandra.
Ould Newbury Golf Club is a semi-private 9 hole golf course on Rte. 1 in Newbury that was opened in 1916. While it is owned by the Governor's Academy, the club has been self managed by a group of hard working board of governor's since day 1. It is opened to the public Monday - Friday and Jim invites the public to stop by and give the course a try. They just may want to join and help Jim celebrate his 50th anniversary in 2036.
