GoFundMe page established for popular caddie Hylton ‘JJ’ James as he prepares for bypass surgery

JJ James
Hylton “JJ” James has been a caddie on the Web.com and PGA Tours since 1985. On Monday, May 13, he will undergo bypass surgery.

Hylton “JJ” James has been a caddie on the Web.com and PGA Tours since 1985.

The Roswell, Ga., native is a popular figure amongst his peers, as well as with the countless players he’s crossed paths with in over three decades.

But now, James needs a little help from those friends.

On Monday, May 13, the 78-year-old – considered the oldest professional Tour caddie – will undergo bypass surgery after an unexpected health issue cropped up.

RELATED: Michael Greller says generous donation from fellow caddies, AT&T ‘on exact same level as any of Jordan’s three majors’

A GoFundMe page was created for James on May 10 with the hopes of raising $50,000 to help offset his expenses. In less than 24 hours (at the time of this post), the GoFundMe page had already raised over $26,000.

Scrolling through social media, it wasn’t hard to see why James is so popular.

Take this story from Tour winner Charley Hoffman, for instance:

“JJ was one of my original caddies on the then Buy.com Tour, which is known now as the Web.com Tour. He’s one the most gracious and caring people I know,” wrote Hoffman in an Instagram post. “Always texts and calls on holidays. I want to share one of the funniest caddy/player interactions I have ever had on the course. We were hitting into a par 5 at an event in Louisiana. I hit a beautiful 5 iron into the green. As it is in the air, he starts shouting at my ball to get down. I think to myself, ‘what the heck is he doing?’ Then the ball, like it has ears, falls short of the green and plugs into the bunker.

“I proceeded to rip him a new one as we walk up the fairway, telling him never to talk to my golf ball again. He calmly looks at me once I’m done ranting halfway up the fairway and says, ‘Pro, I’m not talking to your ball I’m only talking to my 10 percent!’

“Couldn’t do anything but laugh [when he said that]. And that is what makes an amazing caddy – getting your player to laugh in a bad situation. And guess what? He kept on talking to his 10 percent until he stopped working for me. Help a great man in need and contribute to his GoFundMe page.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Hilton James aka Jj was one of my original caddies on the them buy.com tour which is known now as the @webdotcomtour. He is one the most gracious and caring people I know. Always texts and calls on holidays. I Want to share one of the funniest caddy/player interactions I have ever had on the course. We where hitting into a par 5 at an event in Louisiana. I hit a beautiful 5 iron into the green. As it is in the he starts shouting at my ball to get down. I think to myself what the heck is he doing. Then the ball like it has ears falls short of the green and plugs into the Bunker. I proceeded to rip him a new one as we walk up the fairway. Telling him never to talk to my golf ball again. He calmy looks at me once I’m done ranting halfway up the fairway and says “Pro I’m not talking to your ball I’m only talking to my 10%!” couldn’t do anything but laugh. And that is what makes an amazing caddy. Getting your player to laugh in a bad situation. And guess what he kept on talking to his 10% till he stopped working for me. Help a great man in need and contribute to his go fund me page. Link will be in my bio. @pgatour @golfchannel @caddienetwork @michelobultrapr

A post shared by charley hoffman (@charleyhoffman) on

Plenty of players and caddies called out to encourage help through their respective social media channels. Here’s a sampling:

If you’d like to contribute to James’ GoFundMe page, you can click here.

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