Bowden Golf Course Pavilion dedicated in memory of Jim Hickman

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller called Hickman “more than deserving of this recognition.”

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A new pavilion at Historic Bowden Golf Course now stands in memory of a man whose impact on Macon’s golf scene and community spirit is still felt today.

On Friday morning, city leaders and loved ones gathered to dedicate the structure in honor of James Allen “Jim” Hickman.

The ceremony was held at the golf course, where Hickman served as manager for 15 years. Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller called Hickman “more than deserving of this recognition.”

“It was more than his passion and love for golf, it was his love for his community and making it a better place,” Miller said.

In 2024, Commissioner Mallory Jones sponsored an ordinance to dedicate the pavilion in Hickman’s name. A section of Millerfield Road was previously named for him in 2023.

Hickman’s legacy spans far beyond Bowden. A native of West Virginia and a former college golf captain, Hickman moved to Macon in 1975 to work at River North and later became head PGA professional. He also served as the golf coach at Mercer University and helped create the Macon Pro-Am Paul Walsh Nissan Classic, which raised money for multiple sclerosis research.

At the ceremony, Hickman’s son, Drew Hickman, spoke about what the dedication means for the next generation.

“Happy to know that people are going to have somewhere to go to sit and talk and discuss whether it’s about him or making new memories, like this little one right here,” Hickman said, referring to a young child nearby. “The next generation is coming along faster than we think and hope they have a place to sit and talk about their game after the matches that they play out here and the practices that they have.”

Jim Hickman died in June 2022, but his contributions to the game and the community live on.