September 10, 2021 | BY AAGD STAFF
Taking a risk in life always comes with wondering what happens if you fail. But without taking a risk, one will never know. For Darlene Allen she sought out her dreams in golf and never looked back.
Today, Darlene Allen (formerly Darlene Stowers) serves as a prime role model and is leading the way in showing everyone that obtaining success as a Black person in a predominately ‘white man’s game’ is possible. Allen particularly seeks to encourage youth of all persuasions on the opportunities and benefits of playing golf.
Allen, 61, recently won the Florida Open 2021, placing first in the Senior Pro division and earning a cool $5,640. Allen’s three rounds (77, 77, 77) gave her a finish of 231 (+19). The tournament was contested at Riomar Country Club, Vero Beach, Fla., August 6-8, 2021.
SEE FINAL SCORES & PAYOUTS AT https://www.fsga.org/tournament/resultsfileview/5f347b7b-bdc3-4ade-ac07-237592566c9c/?fileId=23499
Allen was born and raised in Tampa, Fla., where she enjoyed playing many sports. In fact, she was All County in every sport at her Jefferson High School and earned a full four-year basketball scholarship to Texas Southern University located in Houston, Texas. However, the athlete didn’t start playing golf until she was 30 years old, this happened after seeing NBA great Michael Jordan play golf. Darlene received her first pair of golf shoes and an 8 iron from her sister Joy, on her 30th birthday.
She turned pro in 1999. She competed in about 10-12 tournaments per year. With COVID over the last several months she has only played in two tournaments this year. Darlene would like to thank her equipment sponsor, Titleist and Footjoy for believing in her over the years.
Darlene, along with being a golf professional, is an astute business woman who owns and operates the Rainbow of Kids Academy – “Caring for Our Future”, SDA Enterprises, LLC – a Real Estate Investment Company and her 501(3)(c) Non Profit business Birdie Babe, Inc., established “To Empower Families through Our Youth”. As you can see, Darlene and husband Steve, are both pillars in their community, educating lives, providing homes and strengthening families.
Busy and productive, Allen’s favorite quote is: “I Can Do All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens Me.” (Philippians 4:13). She is celebrating three years of marriage to Steve Allen. The two met on the golf course and they try to do something golf-related every day.
To follow Darlene Allen’s career, visit her website at https://www.darleneallengolf.com
RELATED: DARLENE STOWERS
The Florida State Golf Association (FSGA) was formed in 1913 to promote, protect, and preserve the game of golf. The FSGA includes more than 800 member clubs and 285,000 individual members.
