Maurice Allen is a World Long Drive Competitor, in the world. Allen competes in events that are sanctioned by the World Long Drive Association, which is owned by Golf Channel, part of the NBC Sports Group, and a division of Comcast. The season-long schedule features events airing live on Golf Channel, culminating in the Volvik World Long Drive Championship in September. Allen grew up in Pine Hills, Fla., a unincorporated subdivision in West Orlando, where he attended Maynard Evans High School. During his high school years, Allen played Varsity Football, Varsity Volleyball and excelled in Track & Field. Allen won the 2018 Volvik World Long Drive Championship on Sept. 5 at WinStar World Casino & Resort in Thackerville, Okla. Allen blasted a 393-yard drive in the championship match against Justin Moose to claim his first Volvik World Long Drive Championship title.
World Long Drive Career
Allen has been competing in long drive events around the world since 2010, where he essentially picked up golf for the first time at age 28. Two years later, he set a then-Guinness world record for the fastest ball speed and in 2015 won three long drive events in Europe. In 2016 Allen won events in the Czech Republic, The Netherlands, New Zealand and Slovenia. Allen also won in New Zealand in 2017 and 2018, along with Japan in 2018. Allen's breakout World Long Drive Association season came in 2017, when he captured championships at the Catawba Classic, Tennessee Shootout, and Mile HighShowdown. Allen also ascended to No. 1 in the World Long Drive rankings leading up to the 2017 Volvik World Long Drive Championship. In 2018, Allen reached the quarterfinals in two events but then capped off his season with his victory in the Open Division at the Volvik World Long Drive Championship in Thackerville.
Viral Moments with lots of "Flair"
Allen’s win in Denver at the 2017 Mile High Showdown came with a viral moment that introduced himself to many sports fans around the United States. His post-match interview and victory celebration included a flamboyant impersonation of professional wrestling superstar Ric Flair. Another viral moment for Allen came during the 2018 Clash in the Canyon on Golf Channel, when he made the claim that World Long Drive competitors are ‘the best athletes on earth.’
Before World Long Drive
A former sprinter, Allen initially walked on the football team as a wide receiver at the University of South Florida. He was set to compete in the U.S. Olympic trials in track and field in 2004 before tearing his hamstring. Allen was a biology/chemistry double-major at Florida A&M University, where he earned his degree. He was working toward his doctorate in the chiropractic field at Life University before ultimately turning to World Long Drive on a full-time basis. Maurice Allen has one child, a son.
Community Work
Allen is a First Tee ambassador, and Boys & Girls Club ambassador of golf. Following his 2018 World Championship win, he was the subject of a proclamation from the Orange County mayor, who declared it “Maurice Allen day” in the community, in response to Allen’s decision to create four $5,000 scholarships at Evans High School in Orlando, Allen’s alma mater.
