Colbert to Spread Word on Cancer

Two weeks after surgery for prostate cancer, Jim Colbert isn’t thinking about his return to the Senior PGA Tour. It probably won’t be until September or October, which allows Colbert a lot of time to consider a future that probably is not going to be simply about golf.

Colbert, 56, who is recuperating at home in Las Vegas, said Tuesday he plans to use his experience to speak out on the importance of prostate cancer awareness.

“I’m willing to do that,” Colbert said. “As a matter of fact, I am looking forward to doing that. The way I look at it, it might give my life a little more meaning.”

A two-time senior player of the year, Colbert has won 18 tournaments and more than $8 million on the over-50 circuit, but he believes he could have greater impact delivering his health message. Colbert said he does not call such a circumstance ironic.

“I call it truth,” Colbert said. “Walking into that hospital at 5:30 in the morning, that’s reality.”

Colbert underwent surgery at the Scripps Clinic’s Green Hospital in La Jolla 18 days after cancer was detected in six biopsy samples. The surgery was delayed to allow Colbert an opportunity to give two pints of his blood in case they were needed. In the interim, Colbert played two tournaments but told no other players of his condition. He finished second in the du Maurier Champions and tied for 17th the next week at the Nationwide Championship.

“I don’t think anybody should have had to play with that on their minds,” Colbert said. “I mean, the mental gymnastics you have to go through to play golf are tough enough, you wouldn’t want that to think about, like, ‘Gosh, Colbert has cancer, maybe it’s his turn to win.’ Something like that.”

Colbert was hospitalized for eight days. He said he is almost pain-free and stopped taking antibiotics Sunday, although his physical activity is strictly regulated.

Colbert said he has spoken with Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Graham Marsh, Bob Murphy, Dale Douglass, Homero Blancas, Chi Chi Rodriguez and Jerry McGee since the surgery and many others have left telephone messages or sent notes. Palmer had prostate cancer surgery in January.

Colbert said his cancer surgery has had one other noticeable effect.

“The doctors have made a lot of money on physicals,” he said. “All my friends have gone in.”

For the next few months, Colbert said, he is in no hurry to return to the tour, but he thinks he will do fine when he gets back.

“I have a lot of real good golf left in me,” he said.