Floor SpeechNeutral2026-05-21

REMEMBERING JIM COLBERT

Context

On 2026-05-21, Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) delivered a floor speech titled "REMEMBERING JIM COLBERT" in the Senate.

Full Text

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2441] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING JIM COLBERT Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Jim Colbert, a legendary golfer and proud Kansan whose remarkable career has inspired countless fans and athletes across Kansas and our Nation. Born in Elizabeth, NJ, Colbert came to Kansas State University in 1961 on a football scholarship. After injuries ended his football career, he turned his focus to golf, beginning a journey that would define the rest of his life. As a three-year letterwinner for the Wildcats, Colbert quickly established himself as one of the Nation's top collegiate golfers, finishing runner-up at the 1964 NCAA Championship and the Big Eight Championship that same year. After turning professional in 1965, Colbert built an extraordinary career on the PGA Tour and PGA TOUR Champions circuit. Over the course of his professional career, he earned 28 combined victories, including 8 PGA Tour wins and 20 Champions Tour titles, placing him among the winningest players in senior tour history. His accomplishments included victories at the Texas Open, Colonial National Invitational, and the 1993 Ford Senior Players Championship. He was also named PGA TOUR Champions Player of the Year in both 1995 and 1996. Beyond his success on the course, Colbert became one of the most recognizable personalities in golf. Known for his trademark bucket hat and competitive spirit, he also made significant contributions as a broadcaster, entrepreneur, and ambassador for the game. He worked as a golf analyst for ESPN and later founded a successful golf course management company that owned and operated courses across the country. Perhaps nowhere is Colbert's legacy more visible than in Manhattan, KS, where he helped develop Colbert Hills Golf Course, now regarded as one of the premier public golf courses in Kansas and home to Kansas State's golf programs. His dedication to the university and the Manhattan community reflected the deep pride he carried for Kansas throughout his life. Despite being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996, Colbert returned to competitive golf and captured another tournament victory in 1998, earning the PGA TOUR Champions Comeback Player of the Year Award. His determination and resilience inspired many both within and beyond the golf community. Above all, Colbert was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be remembered not only for his remarkable achievements in professional golf, but also for his generosity, perseverance, and contributions to Kansas State athletics. I now ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Jim Colbert and in expressing our gratitude for the lasting impact he made on the game of golf and the people of Kansas. ____________________

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REMEMBERING JIM COLBERT Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 87 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2441] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING JIM COLBERT Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. President, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of Jim Colbert, a legendary golfer and proud Kansan whose remarkable career has inspired countless fans and athletes across Kansas and our Nation. Born in Elizabeth, NJ, Colbert came to Kansas State University in 1961 on a football scholarship. After injuries ended his football career, he turned his focus to golf, beginning a journey that would define the rest of his life. As a three-year letterwinner for the Wildcats, Colbert quickly established himself as one of the Nation's top collegiate golfers, finishing runner-up at the 1964 NCAA Championship and the Big Eight Championship that same year. After turning professional in 1965, Colbert built an extraordinary career on the PGA Tour and PGA TOUR Champions circuit. Over the course of his professional career, he earned 28 combined victories, including 8 PGA Tour wins and 20 Champions Tour titles, placing him among the winningest players in senior tour history. His accomplishments included victories at the Texas Open, Colonial National Invitational, and the 1993 Ford Senior Players Championship. He was also named PGA TOUR Champions Player of the Year in both 1995 and 1996. Beyond his success on the course, Colbert became one of the most recognizable personalities in golf. Known for his trademark bucket hat and competitive spirit, he also made significant contributions as a broadcaster, entrepreneur, and ambassador for the game. He worked as a golf analyst for ESPN and later founded a successful golf course management company that owned and operated courses across the country. Perhaps nowhere is Colbert's legacy more visible than in Manhattan, KS, where he helped develop Colbert Hills Golf Course, now regarded as one of the premier public golf courses in Kansas and home to Kansas State's golf programs. His dedication to the university and the Manhattan community reflected the deep pride he carried for Kansas throughout his life. Despite being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996, Colbert returned to competitive golf and captured another tournament victory in 1998, earning the PGA TOUR Champions Comeback Player of the Year Award. His determination and resilience inspired many both within and beyond the golf community. Above all, Colbert was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He will be remembered not only for his remarkable achievements in professional golf, but also for his generosity, perseverance, and contributions to Kansas State athletics. I now ask my colleagues to join me in honoring Jim Colbert and in expressing our gratitude for the lasting impact he made on the game of golf and the people of Kansas. ____________________