BY AAGD STAFF
(October 30, 2015)
The 1982 winner of the San Diego Women’s Amateur Championship is swiftly running up a tab of celebrity status, with no end in sight. Avis Brown-Riley, now 51, never would have expected to gain so much, in such a short period of time, growing up in the lush San Diego, California valley. Avis recalls the pleasures of sitting on her front porch and enjoying the mountain views that gazed over into Tijuana, Mexico.
A pint-sized, 5’ 2”, Avis’s golf talents seem to be hereditary; because it was her father, the legendary Gordon Brown Sr. who introduced her to the game when she was 7-years-old. Those early lessons had a tremendous impact on Avis, who now carries a 3 handicap. In counting the years, Avis sums up that her father has been her coach/trainer for over 44 years.
The Salt Creek Golf Course located in Chula Vista, Calif., is her home course. She is also a proud member of the South Bay Golf Center—the new home of her Golf Program: San Diego Junior Golf Academy and Foundation. With a plan to continue her progress in the sport, on October 20, 2015, Avis competed in The LPGA (PAT) physical Assessment Test, and triumphed in becoming a member of the LPGA. Held at the Las Vegas Golf Club, Avis scored a 76. “It was very windy, it was truly a test, and I did it! But I couldn’t have done it without my family and friends who supported me 100%, and I truly wish to thank them.”
Avis holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Telecommunications with a minor in Business from the United States International University in San Diego, Calif., now Alliant University. She also holds numerous certifications in marketing from The FedEx University’s online program.
Working as an Operations Manager for FedEx Express in San Diego, CA., she’s been with the American global courier delivery service company for 21-years.
With such a busy schedule, Avis, a married mother of two: Ayanna Riley (age 19) and Amari Riley (age15), it’s a must for her to stay organized, in order to keep things in balance. Over the years she’s been quite successful in holding it all together: work-family—school—golf, while enjoying life to its fullest. Of special significance, she and her husband, James D. Riley, just celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary (October 4, 2015). After two decades together the couple’s love is proving to be stronger than ever.
Perhaps It’s The Golf
The entire family participates in playing the sport, and yes, they are all fairly good at it. “As a family, even when we take vacations we travel with our golf bags…we love it,” says Avis. Their son Amari has even been inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame (May 2010). “Both kids were taught the game of golf at the age of two.”
The clan particularly enjoys playing rounds with their family patriarch Gordon Brown. Even Avis’ brothers Horace and Oran Brown and her sister, Rosetta McClay, get into the family’s swing of things.
Have Clubs Will Travel
Avis absolutely loves to travel. “I travel to Tallahassee, Florida and play golf with my older brother Gordon Brown Jr. When my nephew KJ McClay comes home from college, at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, I play with him, too.” He’s an excellent trainer for Avis, and, the family is proud that he will be graduating soon as PGA certified. “Occasionally I will play golf with my friends and the junior golfers in our golf program, two times a month, on the weekends. But I practice more than I play.”
“Golf is a fun game. It allows me to challenge myself. To stay focused and, the ability to concentrate for 4-hours. This is truly a test of skill and of mental capacity. Also, I have met some of the “best” people while out on the golf course…which makes it even more fun!”
Avis has won over 45 tournaments during her junior, amateur and professional golfing career. “Recently, I participated in The San Diego Junior Golf Academy Celebrity Golf Tournament. I had the pleasure of playing with the infamous Admiral Lawrence Chambers and his lovely wife Sarah. I can truly say, that was the best time I have ever had on the golf course in a celebrity event. He is an amazing man.”
“Golf lessons taught me the basic fundamentals on how to set up and approach and build a golf swing. I learned the golf swing and, learned the mechanics so that I could understand the game. Without golf instruction, I would have never been one of the best junior golfers in the history of the San Diego Junior Golf Association, amateur golf, collegiate golf, and professional golf.”
A breast cancer survivor, Avis has been cancer-free for 5-1/2 years. She praises her dear mother Harriet Brown—who is also her dear friend, and the rock and the glue of the Brown family, whom she can always count on for advice and spiritual support.
“I was blessed to be born into a Christian and golfing family. My entire family including all five siblings, mother, and father, plays the game. Our home is warm and full of “Golf Talk” and we’re passing it on to all our children and great-grandchildren.”
“My dream is to travel the world, share my story, perform at golf exhibitions, conduct autograph signing of my book, “Building of A Champion.” ….Avis seems to be well on her way for carrying forth the torch acclaimed by legends.
Accomplishments:
1974 – Junior World Champion
1974,1975,1976,1978, 1979 – San Diego Junior Golfer of the Year
1980 – State CIF Girls Golf Championship Standford University Golf Course – 6th place
1982- San Diego Women’s Amateur Champion
1982-83 – United States Intl University Girls Golf Team Rookie of the year
1988 – Competed in the Women’s U.S. Open Championship
1989 – Michelob Golf Classic Winner and broke course record 65, still stands until this day
1987-2000 Played on California Mini Tours and The Futures Tour
2000 – Present Teaching Pro for San Diego Junior Golf Academy & Foundation
2005 – Qualified for the Futures Golf Tour – playing status
2013 – Recipient of Southern California Professional Golfers Association “Heritage Award”
Inducted into the Hall of Champions in San Diego in 1974
Inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame 2008
The first time in 20-years that “The Heritage Award” was given away to three Families. The Brown family was one of the families to receive the award from the PGA of America (November 2013).
