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DECATUR, Ill. -- The Decatur Women’s Golf Association recently announced that the upcoming Decatur Area Women’s Open, which will be held July 18 and 20, has been renamed the Decatur Area Women’s Open in honor of the late Decatur-area golfing legend and former Head Coach of the , who passed away July 9, 2022.  

Marilyn ’55 won nine Decatur Area Women’s Open titles and five Senior Women’s Open titles, starting with her first victory in 1950 when she was a senior in high school.

“We are pleased to be paying tribute to Marilyn Dechert in this special way by naming the tournament in her honor,” former Millikin Director of Alumni Relations, Dean of Students and Decatur Women’s Golf Association Board President Jan Devore said. “No woman has done more to promote the game of golf in this community than Marilyn.  This honor is well-deserved.” 

Marilyn was active over many years in the Decatur Women’s Golf Association, and she and her husband, Dick Dechert ’54 supported many community golf events. Marilyn and Dick were co-recipients of the 2021 Merit Loyalty Alumni Award at Millikin during Homecoming.

In 1951-52, as a freshman Millikin University golfer, Marilyn competed in the National Collegiate Championship and won the consolation championship. In 2002, Dechert became the Head Women’s Golf Coach at Millikin and coached for 12 years. She was named CCIW Coach of the Year in 2014. 

The 94th annual Marilyn Dechert Decatur Area Women’s Open will be held Tuesday, July 18, at Hickory Point Golf Course and Thursday, July 20, at Red Tail Run Golf Course, both in Decatur. There will be 18-hole ($40 entry fee) and nine-hole divisions ($20 entry fee). Registration forms may be picked up at either course and are due Wed., July 12. For more information, contact Hickory Point at 217-421-7444 or Red Tail Run at 217-422-2211.