My First Time: Diane L. Austin

Consultant / Mentor

My introduction to golf was particularly unique because it was through business. I say that because I don’t know of many Black women that are exposed to the game in such a way. I was a commercial real estate mortgage broker and it was actually a requirement for me to learn the game of golf because that was how business was conducted—through networking and socializing on the golf course with bankers and brokers. I remember when I started out at a mortgage association event that took place at a country club. I was humbled immediately because even as an athlete, I found that golf was quite a challenging sport. It looked so easy but my first attempts were embarrassing. The beauty is that I had to rise to the occasion; I had to take lessons and learn the game because I refused to be embarrassed again in front of my colleagues. It’s not like they were friends and family. After that job experience, I really had no way of integrating golf into my life other than work so I basically put my clubs down.

For a while it wasn’t that important to me until I got another job and met a co-worker who was an avid golfer. It was by no mistake that we connected because we both had a passion for the game. I started taking lessons again and that’s when the bug hit me—after nearly a 5-year gap. My first few shots down the fairway felt amazing. When I saw the ball going down the fairway it all really connected—all the practice, all the whiffs and all of the thinking processes. When I could see the distance where I had hit it, I was fascinated, and I wanted to do more.

Minimally I play once a week weather permitting; if I could, I would play more often. I relish playing on any beautiful, well-manicured course and always enjoy playing on the best courses! Westchester Country Club was one of courses I had the opportunity to play as a new golfer but I didn’t realize how incredible that experience was at the time. Today if you say Westchester I am there! I have played locally on most municipal courses in NYC, Nassau and Suffolk County. I’ve also had the pleasure of playing in Florida, Arizona, Mexico and Puerto Rico. I actually had an opportunity to play in a celebrity golf event in North Carolina at Piper Glen in Charlotte. It was one of my best experiences ever and I got a birdie for my foursome. The group I was playing with stood there with their mouths dropped open and so did I! I have also played on Bethpage Black and shot par on the 8th hole, which was a par 3. That was also a fond memory for me.

My worst experience is when I have one of those rounds when I start off on the first hole and I have more strokes than there is room to record. I wound up thinking, I have 5 more hours of this? That was just the worse. On that particular day I recall my game didn’t continue that way fortunately. That is the beauty of golf and what I see as one of the best aspects of the game. There is always an opportunity to recover.

What’s most unique about the game is how much of an equalizer it is, especially from a business and social networking perspective. What attracts me is that there is always something everyone can learn about it to increase their level of accomplishment. That to me is part of the fascination, so whenever someone says it’s boring I know they don’t get it. My passion goes back to [that equalizing factor that allows you to connect with] business professionals or celebrities you wouldn’t otherwise meet. For instance, I had the honor of befriending World Golf Hall of Fame great Charlie Sifford who inspired me to mentor young girls in the LPGA-USGA junior golf program sponsored by the EWGA-NYC Chapter.