November 8, 2024

Golfer Earns Third Consecutive Player of the Year Honors Following Knee Replacement

Little Rock golfer Mimi Evans played through the pain in her knee for years. By 2020, she knew that the increasing pain—which was limiting her ability to complete everyday tasks—would eventually stop her from playing her beloved sport. “I procrastinated, kept struggling and limping until finally I told myself I had to make an appointment,” said Mimi, who had 45-year career as a registered radiologic technologist.  That’s when she called joint replacement surgeon Dr. Lowry Barnes at UAMS Health.

Mimi winnerJust a few months after knee replacement surgery, Mimi was back on the golf course—where she’s highly competitive in local tournaments— improving her swing and gaining distance. “Now I’m hitting the ball farther. My knee doesn’t hurt, and my golf game is also on the road to recovery,” she said in 2021.

Within a year, she was winning tournaments and earned the Arkansas State Golf Association (ASGA) 2022 Women’s Legends (70+) Player of Year Award.

She received the award again in 2023.

Mimi awards
Four years after having her knee replaced by Dr. Barnes, Mimi is playing golf several times a week and even works part-time in the interventional spine and pain clinic in The Orthopaedic & Spine Hospital at UAMS Health.

Last month, the ASGA held its 2024 Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet at the Chenal Valley Country Club in Little Rock. Mimi Evans was again named the Women’s Legends Player of the Year, marking her third consecutive year to receive the award.