Winner of More Than 300 Titles, Dale Morey Dies at Age 83

By  JIM PETTIT 

HIGH POINT -- Dale Morey’s obituary listed his age as 83.

It was one of the very few times anyone ever saw that number listed beside the name of one of America’s most successful and celebrated amateur golfers.

Morey, who won more than 300 titles in his long career, died May 14 at Maryfield Nursing Home where he had been in declining health for the past year.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Curry Morey of High Point; a daughter, Mrs. Maureen Schirtzinger of Wendell; a son, Douglas Patrick Morey of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.; a sister, Norma Eileen Morey of Bloomington, Ind.; and one grandchild, Robert Dale Morey , also of Palm Beach Gardens.

Morey’s list of golf achievements is long and distinguished. It includes state, national and international titles, crowned by two United States Golf Association Senior Amateur championships and a runner-up finish to Gene Littler in the 1953 U.S. Amateur.

A native of Martinsville, Ind., which is southwest of Indianapolis, Morey learned the game at Martinsville Country Club. He went on to win the state junior title, four Indiana Amateurs and four Indiana Opens.

 Morey attended Louisiana State University on athletic scholarship where he played both basketball and golf. After becoming the first LSU athlete to graduate from the School of Business Administration, he briefly tried both sports professionally.

Years ago, he recalled the incident that turned him from pro golf to a business career.

 “I remember playing in a tournament that changed my mind,’’ he said. “The course was very difficult and the weather conditions were awful. I shot a 4-under-par 68 and was leading the tournament. I was being interviewed by a bunch of reporters, and I knew that I had played as well as I could possibly play. About that time, someone announced, ‘Gentlemen, Mr. Ben Hogan has just concluded his round with a 64.’ The writers just melted away. I knew right then that I’d better find another way to make a living.’’

Morey moved to High Point in the 1950s and founded Dale Morey & Associates, a supplemental firm in the furniture industry. His success in business allowed him the freedom to pursue amateur golf and the championships piled up, especially in the Carolinas Golf Association where he captured 31 titles. He won seven Carolinas Senior Amateurs, the first in 1969 and the last one in 1984.

Morey was enshrined in both the Indiana and North Carolina sports halls of fame as well as the Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame. The prestigious Society of Seniors, which he served as president, has named its annual championship in his honor. In his first 10 years as a senior, Morey was ranked No. 1 by Golf Digest six times and never lower than third.

His short game, particularly his putting, was his strength. Displaying mental toughness second to none, Morey added a gentlemanly demeanor and easy smile that won him friends around the world.

Jack Nicklaus, a long-time friend, said in a prepared statement, “Dale has brought so much to the game of golf, both as a player and as a person. He has touched so many lives around him.’’