LPGA*USGA Girls Golf helped anxious teen turn into a confident leader
When Allyson Bell first picked up a golf club at the age of five, she never could have imagined how the game would change her life.
Born in Eight Mile, Alabama, Bell immediately fell in love with golf. She enjoyed the challenge it provided and the opportunity to spend more time with her family on the course.
As Bell’s commitment to golf grew, her family sought out a program that would not only take her game to the next level, but also provide valuable life skills. Luckily, they wouldn’t have to look far, as nearby Mobile had its own LPGA*USGA Girls Golf chapter.
Joining Girls Golf proved to be pivotal in Bell’s life. The chapter certainly helped improve her game, but the program also helped Bell to break out of her shell and reach her potential.
“Girls Golf has prepared me for life on and off the course,” Bell explained. “The program helps me overcome my social anxiety because you have to talk to the other girls. It has also provided so many opportunities to meet people, and now I feel so much more comfortable talking to people and relating to them.”
This personal growth is one of the reasons Bell was selected to represent Girls Golf as the “Millionth Girl” in program history, a remarkable milestone reached in 2023.
“To be the millionth girl is an honor I will never forget,” Bell said. “Girls Golf reaching one million girls is a huge achievement and truly shows the impact we all can have if we continue to work with other girls in golf and strive to be inspirations.”
Founded in 1989, Girls Golf has grown into an international program that teaches girls ages 6-17 the game of golf, as well as valuable life skills including confidence and perseverance.
After more than nine years involved with her local site, Bell has taken all of the skills she gained through Girls Golf and emerged as a role model for other girls in the program. In fact, her efforts earned her a spot on the Girls Golf eLeader National Board of Directors. In that role, Bell gets to help shape future initiatives and programs for thousands of girls worldwide.
“We all have role models and mentors throughout our life who we look up to,” Bell reflected. “Being able to inspire and help other girls achieve their goals is extremely important to me. I hope I’m able to inspire and assist other girls to not only dream big, but to know they can do anything.”
At just 15 years old, Bell has lived a life that most can only dream of. In addition to her work as an eLeader, Bell has traveled the country visiting iconic courses including Augusta National Golf Club and Pebble Beach Golf Links.
In addition to attending the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, Bell had the special opportunity to represent Girls Golf at an event hosted by the Pebble Beach Foundation. As part of the All In at The Hay fundraising event, which raised $1.5M for Girls Golf, Bell and nine other members had the opportunity to play a round with athletes, business leaders and LPGA legends on a short course designed by Tiger Woods. Bell’s team featured former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and World Golf Hall of Famer Annika Sorenstam.
These experiences would not have been possible without the support of those within the golf community, especially Girls Golf.
“Girls Golf will always have a very special place in my heart,” Bell shared. “I’ve made so many unforgettable memories through the program and even more friends. It has truly shaped me into the person I am today.”
Bell is just one of the million Girls Golf success stories. Alumnae have achieved great things on and off the course. For example, former Girls Golf members have reached the highest level of the game on the LPGA and Epson tours, while other alumnae have broken the glass ceiling in board rooms and C-suites around the world.
As for Bell, her dream is to follow in her role model Mariah Stackhouse’s footsteps by attending Stanford University and competing on the women’s golf team. But until then, she plans on continuing to uplift the girls in her community and inspiring them to pursue their big dreams.
To help transform the lives of other girls like Allyson and to make your commitment to the LPGA Foundation’s #OneMillionMOREGirls campaign, visit www.girlsgolf.org today.
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