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, 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.

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.