Rochester Golf Icon Don Allen Passes Away

ROCHESTER, NY (WHEC) – Rochester golfing icon, Don Allen has passed away at the age of 84. Right when he took up the game, it didn’t take long for him to perfect his swing. In 1961, he won the first of what would be six New York State Men’s Amateur Championships by way of a 5 & 4 margin. That was just the beginning, Allen won seven District Championships, two New York State Mid Amateur Championships, three New York State Senior Championships, as well as four Monroe Invitational Championships.

Around the same time, he represented the US in the America’s Cup twice and did the same for them at the Walker Cup (the amateur version of the Ryder Cup). Allen also played in the Masters three times and made the cut every time. In 2012, The New York State Golf Association inducted him into the Hall of Fame. However, that won’t be the only organization that will have enshrined him.

On July 12th, he’ll be part of the Rochester District Golf Association’s inaugural hall of fame class along with Walter Hagen, John Kircher, Jim Scorse, Mike Sorce, Jerry Stahl, Jean Trainor, and Sam Urzetta. For a while, he was a member at the Country Club of Rochester where he loved playing the game as much as any place he had won.