Looking at the Links:Losing a Local Links(Golf) Legend[Evalyn Dorn has left the clubhouse at age 88]

She was always shooting/carding a consistent 77 for a round of 18 holes of golf, but she has left us at age 88…

This lady was the “Queen of Golf” in Guilford County back in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and beyond….I’m telling you, we had men like Bill Harvey and Red Jessup back in those days, and they would be put into that local category of the area’s “Kings of Golf”, but Evalyn Dorn could pretty much stand alone as the “Queen of Golf” in Guilford County

Evalyn Dorn would be tearing up that golf course out on Ballinger Road, every day of the week, and Longview Golf Course was a course she tamed over the years…That 77 number should have been painted on the side of her golf cart, and Brown Siler, Buck Siler, Keith Siler and Mike Siler, the Longview Golf Course owners, knew that Evalyn Dorn really owned that golf course out there on Ballinger, at least when it came to hitting from the ladies’ tees…

Evalyn Dorn laid the framework for women’s golf in Guilford County and she shot better than that 77 many times, it’s just that she hardly ever went over 77…

I was looking at some old golf news(circa 1998) on the internet last night, and it was a golf report on the Monday Women’s First Flight from the Longview Golf Course, and you know who was right there at the top for the women, and that would be Evalyn Dorn, carding her trademark 77 to take the honors at Longview, on that Monday…

I never met the lady, Evalyn Dorn, but I read so much about her accomplishments on the golf course, that I felt like I could have been the perfect choice to be her caddy…

Evalyn Dorn reminded me of Babe Didrikson Zaharias….Zaharias excelled in golf, basketball, baseball and track and field, and although Dorn excelled in golf, she passed her athletic excellence on to her children Evelyn, Nancy and Johnny Dorn….

Her daughter Evalyn had it going on in Volleyball, Basketball, Track and Golf…Evalyn’s sister and Evalyn’s daughter, Nancy Dorn, excelled in Volleyball and she still does today…Son and sibling Johnny Dorn had a strong basketball game and he like his mom and sisters, could tear up the golf course…

So Evalyn Dorn left quite the legacy and to me, she was a Local Links Legend….There is so much that could be said or written about Evalyn Dorn, but let’s just say for certain, that she left her mark, and it was a good one….
(Mark up another 77 on her golf card.)

She was one of those people you liked and you didn’t even know them that well, but you appreciated what they stood for, and they had your utmost respect….

We remember her here today…It is almost like she had her own brand name….Evalyn Dorn and that regular round of 77….

I think she was still shooting a 77, when she was in her 80’s.

RIP:Evalyn Dorn
(She made a difference and laid the groundwork for excellence in women’s athletics/golf in Guilford County.)

from the News and Record online obituaries:
JULY 31, 1932 – AUGUST 4, 2020 Evalyn Elizabeth Duncan Dorn, 88, of 5410 Garden Lake Drive, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the home of her daughter, Nancy Dorn Everett.

Because of COVID-19, plans for a celebration of life are pending at this time.

Memorial contribution can be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westcheaster Dr., High Point, NC 27262.

From all of the lives you touched, the light and happiness you radiated, and the paths you changed, you always will be admired, loved, and remembered. Rest well, Mama Dorn.

Triad Cremations & Funeral Services 2110 Veasley St. Greensboro, NC 27407

More from the Evalyn Dorn obituary shared with us today by the Dorn Family/Johnny and Nancy Dorn Everett:
Evalyn Elizabeth Duncan Dorn, 88, of 5410 Garden Lake Drive passed away Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the home of her daughter, Nancy Dorn Everett, after a courageous battle against cancer. She died surrounded by many members of her loving family.

Affectionately known as “Mama Dorn,” Evalyn was born July 31, 1932. The Bowling Green, Kentucky, native graduated from the University of Kentucky with a degree in physical education. She was a member of the Tri Delta sorority.

Avid golfers, Evalyn and husband, John Stephen Dorn Sr., met on a golf course and married in 1955. Her love of the sport continued once she and John moved to Greensboro, where she won the Greensboro City Amateur Championship eight times — including three years in a row. Her talents and skills were recognized in the book, “Charlie Harville’s Sports in North Carolina: A Photographic History” written in 1977 by the Triad’s broadcasting pioneer.

In addition to hitting the links, for 35 years Mama Dorn served as a volunteer for the Greater Greensboro Open/Chrysler Classic. She also was a well-known sportscaster in the Gate City.

She also enjoyed using her creative hands to make crafts and giving them to friends and family.

Quick-witted and kind-hearted, Mama Dorn shared her gentle spirit with many students at Western Guilford High School as a friend, confidante and mentor, offering support, humor and perspective. She always a safe place and encouraging words for those who needed them.

Above all, she was devoted to her family. As her granddaughter Dottie recalls, “Thank you for the little things, like dipping your finger in the soup because it was the special ingredient to make us feel better. You will always be the greatest gift.” And her grandson Colson said, “You always had the freezer stocked with pizza rolls and hot pockets. Even though your battle with cancer has come to an end, your legacy still lives on in pieces scattered in the bodies of every life you touched.”

Surviving are John Stephen Dorn Jr. (wife Julie) of Summerfield and Nancy Dorn Everett (husband Mike Everett) of Greensboro. Also surviving are grandchildren Samantha Putnam (husband Kevin Putnam), Kim Domenico (wife Lindsay), Marvin K. “Scooter” Michael III, Dorothy M. “Dottie” Michael (wife Kimmie Taylor), Duncan Everett (fiancé Jessica Asbury) Colson Everett all of Greensboro, and Addison Dorn of Raleigh Additional survivors are great-grandchildren Siena and Romina Domenico, niece Debbie Rowe (husband Lou), and nephew David Duncan (wife Valerie).

She was preceded in death by her parents, Wilfred and Dorothy Duncan; her husband, John; daughter Evalyn Dorn Michael; and her brother, Buddy Duncan.

Because of COVID-19, plans for a celebration of her life are pending at this time. The family appreciates memorials to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262. The family extends a special appreciation to Stephanie Hiatt of Hospice of the Piedmont for the care and support she provided.

From all of the lives you touched, the light and happiness you radiated, and the paths you changed, you always will be admired, loved, and remembered. Rest well, Mama Dorn.

3 thoughts on “Looking at the Links:Losing a Local Links(Golf) Legend[Evalyn Dorn has left the clubhouse at age 88]

  1. Mama Dorn will be missed . She was one of the sweetest people I know. She always had a smile on her face and opened her home up to everyone,offered food and just a special lady . When you were around her you knew you were loved.
    Mama Dorn rest in peace until we see you again someday .
    Thank you for letting me stay with you on those snowy nights when I would get off work.! ??

  2. Back in the day at Longview GC, most of the men would not play her for any money unless she played the white tees. She could hit that butter knife 1 iron a mile!

  3. A couple of other female golfers that were pretty strong out there on Ballinger Road and at Longview Golf Course were the O’Briant sisters, Patti and Kathi…Kathi and Patti O’Briant could make some noise on the golf course, but they could not keep up with Evalyn Dorn…

    Mamma Dorn, was able to quiet the “Mamma Storm”….

Comments are closed.