Vance Heafner

Vance, born in Charlotte, North Carolina, was the oldest son of legendary golfer Clayton Vance Heafner, Sr. and Mary Ellen Allen. Vance and his father distinguished themselves as members of a select group of father-son PGA professionals. Individually, they both won PGA titles and each had the distinction of competing in the Masters Golf Tournament.

Vance generously used his talent in golf to serve others. He was a board member of the Jimmy V Celebrity Golf Classic. He served on the board of the Carolina Classic Nike Golf Tour Event benefitting the Boys and Girls Club of Wake County. Vance also actively supported the First Tee National School Program, providing learning facilities and programs that promote character development through the game of golf.

Vance attended North Carolina State University where he was the first NC State golfer to be named a three-time All-American. His amateur career included wins at the North Carolina Amateur Golf Tournament, the Carolinas Open, the Porter Cup, as well as the Eastern Amateur Golf Championship. He was a member of the 1977 Walker Cup Championship Team. In 1978, he went on to play on the PGA tour, winning the Walt Disney World Classic Team Championship with Mike Holland. His fellow golfers appreciated Vance’s unique sense of humor and engaging personality. He was frequently a fan favorite. Following his PGA career, Vance was Director of Golf at Prestonwood Country Club for twenty years.

Vance married Raleigh native, Paige Leigh Anderson, in 1980. Their daughters, Elizabeth Paige Heafner and Allison Frances Heafner, both reside in Raleigh. The dedication Vance had to his golf career was surpassed only by his dedication to his family. He committed his spare time and energy to being a devoted father. Vance’s great pride in his children found him faithfully attending dance recitals, Broughton cheerleading events, UNC dance team performances, the debutante ball, sorority parents' weekends, and numerous other activities that included his “girls”. Nothing brought a smile to his face quicker than the mention of his children.

He is also survived by siblings Donna Allen and Michael Heafner, both of Fayetteville.

Services celebrating Vance's life will be Tuesday at 2 PM at the First Presbyterian Church, 112 S. Salisbury Street in Raleigh. Family Visitation will take place at the church immediately following the ceremony.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in Vance's memory can be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 7721 Six Forks Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27615, The Healing Place of Wake County, 1251 Goode Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603, or First Presbyterian Church of Raeigh, 112 S. Salisbury Street. Raleigh, NC