Chan Henry’s $1 million gift to Ole Miss Athletics is both a tribute to a lifelong passion and an investment in the future of the University of Mississippi’s golf programs. In recognition of his generosity, the foyer in the new golf facility will be named in his honor.
“Chan is a lifelong golfer who loves following our program, both the men’s and women’s golf teams, and is always interested in what our coaches are doing to help us win at the highest levels of collegiate athletics. We greatly appreciate his transformational support that will create opportunities for current and future student-athletes for generations to come,” said Keith Carter, vice chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics.
“Golf has always been an important part of my life,” said Henry, a retired Madison, Mississippi, anesthesiologist whose current handicap is four; he was a scratch golfer in his youth.
His competitive career includes many standout moments.
“The most prestigious tournament I ever played in was the 2005 USGA Senior Amateur Championship in Dalton, Georgia,” Henry said. “I got to play by winning the Mississippi qualifying round in Hattiesburg that year. I didn’t play that well in Georgia, but it was one of the best golfing experiences I ever had.
“When I was in general practice, I won the 1981 National Medical Open in Carmel, California, by defeating the three-time defending champion, Bob Irwin, an orthopedic surgeon from Whittier, California, who was a really good player.”
After stepping away from the game for nearly two and a half years to complete his anesthesiology residency, Henry returned to competition with remarkable success in 1985 at the club championship at the Country Club of Jackson.
“It turned out to be the most solid three rounds of tournament golf I ever played,” he said. “I won the championship by seven strokes over a strong field that included five former State Amateur champions including my good friend Bob Travis. My daughters, Ann Marie and Julie, caddied for me all three rounds so that made it extra special.”
Over the years, Henry has compiled an impressive list of achievements, including multiple championships across Mississippi clubs and divisions, and he holds the Senior course record at Reunion Country Club with a 63, shot in 2023.
Today, his passion for the sport extends beyond personal milestones to a deep appreciation for Ole Miss golf.
“The Ole Miss golf teams are impressive — not just talented, but genuinely good kids. The coaches have done an outstanding job, both with the men’s and women’s programs. The women winning a national championship and the men having an individual national champion last year really shows the strength of the program,” he said.
That admiration played a central role in the Henrys’ decision to give.
“We believe strongly in these coaches and in the direction of the program,” said Henry, whose wife, Babs, shares credit for his gift. “We both feel that continued support is critical not only to recruit great players but also to keep the program competitive and successful.”
The new golf facility will include administrative and coaches’ offices along with state-of-the-art player lounges — features Henry believes are essential for sustained success.
“That kind of commitment matters for recruiting. When prospects see that level of investment, they know the university is serious,” he said.
Henry’s connection to Ole Miss began in Kosciusko, Mississippi, where he grew up. He attended the university and graduated in 1971, before earning his medical degree from the University of Mississippi Medical Center in 1974. After years in general practice, he returned to complete his anesthesiology residency and went on to a 35-year career with Jackson Anesthesia Associates, later moving to Oxford to help run the Oxford Surgery Center before retiring.
“Everything I’ve been able to accomplish in life I owe to the education I received at the University of Mississippi in Oxford and at UMMC.”
That gratitude is shared across generations of the Henry family. The couple married in 2012. Together, their Ole Miss connections are his two daughters, her three sons (including Denson Hollis, CEO of the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation), his two grandsons and many extended family members.
“All gifts to Ole Miss Athletics are meaningful, but this one carries a particularly personal significance for our family,” Hollis said. “Since marrying my mom, Chan has played an incredibly important role in my family’s life and has supported me through my career at Ole Miss.
“While this gift is not about me, it is a reflection of Chan’s love of golf and his desire to invest in the young men and women who represent Ole Miss Golf,” he continued. “Beyond his love for the game itself, what makes this so special is the personal connection he has built with our coaches and student-athletes and the joy he has found in watching them grow, compete and excel in a sport that means so much to him.
“We are deeply grateful for Chan’s generosity, belief in Ole Miss and unwavering commitment to supporting the people who make this place so special.”
That affinity for the university is evident wherever the Henrys go.
“Ole Miss pride really does travel. Almost anywhere we go, if we’re wearing Ole Miss gear, someone will say ‘Hotty Toddy.’ I even heard it in Europe when we were there last year,” the donor said. “It’s amazing how far that connection reaches. We’re proud of that identity, proud of the university and proud to support it in any way we can.”
Most of Henry’s giving has gone to the main campus in Oxford, including a scholarship named in honor of his late wife, Rexine.
“I expect that, if possible, I’ll eventually give to the medical center as well, which has meant so much to me professionally.”
The Henrys also support Ole Miss football, basketball and baseball, attending games regularly.
“It’s been great to see the recent success, especially beating LSU,” Henry said. “Any time we beat LSU in anything, that’s a good day.”
The Henrys are equally encouraged by the university’s leadership and future.
“We truly want our support to help keep Ole Miss moving forward,” Henry said. “While our gift is directed toward athletics, we believe strongly that success in sports helps the academic side of the university as well. It raises visibility, boosts enrollment, attracts strong students and makes fundraising easier across the board.
“We’ve seen that momentum before: When Eli Manning came along, it changed the energy and direction of the program. Now, with the current coaching staff across sports, everything feels aligned and exciting again.”
To make a gift to Ole Miss Athletics, contact OMAF CEO Denson Hollis at denson@givetoathletics.com or 662-915-7159. For more information, click here.
By Bill Dabney/UM Foundation