At 5-8, Alpharetta golfer Maurice Allen may not seem to be an imposing presence on the tee. But the power he generates with one of the fastest golf swings in the world has earned him international fame — and championships in the emerging sport of Long Drive, where success is derived by hitting a golf ball farther than any other competitor.
On Tuesday, Allen, 33, will compete in the “Sweet 16” of the 2015 World Long Drive Championship, held at the WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Okla. (Golf Channel, live 9pm ET; encore, 1130pm ET) The final eight competitors will vie for a $250,000 first prize on Wednesday (Golf Channel, live 9pm ET; encore, 1130pm ET).
“I get the chance to live my dream out loud on the Golf Channel. This is an amazing opportunity for me to inspire others to play the wonderful game of golf and feel the adrenaline rush of long drive,” says Allen, who began the Championship as one of 64 international competitors.
In Long Drive, golfers compete in a match-play format and are given 2 minutes and 45 seconds to hit drives farther than their opponent. The golfer trailing at the end of the round has one final swing to out-drive his opponent. A small but dedicated group of golfers populate the world of Long Drive, with the top talent competing professionally in international events and exhibitions.
Allen has three European Long Drive Tour Event Championships under his trademark lion-head belt (Sweden, Italy and Belgium, all won this year.
Allen was raised in a working class family in Pine Hills, Florida but now resides and trains in Alpharetta, Georgia. In 2010 after receiving a degree in biology from Florida A&M University, Allen, who did not play collegiate golf, broke a Guinness Book world record by swinging a golf club 211 miles per hour. The feat was filmed for Golf Channel.
“Allen is a phenominal athlete,” says Debert Cook, Publisher of the African American Golfer’s, whose 12-years old publication has covered the successes of the gifted hitter several times throughout the years. “I admire his ‘get it done’ attitude and tenacity to keep moving forward regardless of the set-backs he has faced.”
He turned pro eight months later and now has numerous endorsements and is learning our to expand his sports brand from his mentor NBA legend Julius (Dr. J) Erving. Erving has been instrumental in encouraging Allen to follow his dreams. Allen says the best aspect of his high profile professional is being able to inspire youth to follow their dreams.
“I encourage young people to follow their gut instinct but not to share their dreams with everyone because naysayers may try to wake you up,” he says. Usually the only African American long-driver competing internationally, Allen has been the target of racial slurs and cyber stalking. However, he remains committed to using his platform to bring diversity to the sport.
