Collins was born in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania[1] and grew up in Baltimore, Maryland.

Collins joined the PGA Tour in 1958[1] and won four events between 1959 and 1962.

[2] His first victory came at the 1959 Greater New Orleans Open Invitational by three strokes (280) over Jack Burke Jr. and Tom Nieporte.

In 1960, Collins finished in a three-way tie for first at the end of regulation at the Insurance City Open, which he and Jack Fleck lost in a playoff to Arnold Palmer.

Collins was forced to quit the Tour after back surgery in 1963.