Norma Diane (DeDe) Owens received her bachelor of science degree in physical education from Winthrop College in 1968. She played on the basketball and golf teams while at Winthrop. She went on to receive her master's degree at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and her doctorate in education from the Curry School of the University of Virginia. She received Distinguished Alumni Awards from UNC-G and the University of Virginia.
DeDe joined the LPGA tour and after a short career as a player she left and became one of the most popular golf teachers in the country. She was named LPGA Teacher of the Year in 1993 and 1997 and Midwest Teacher of the Year five times. In 1997 she won the Ellen Griffin-Rolex Award for teaching.
DeDe co-authored seven books on golf and wrote eight research articles. She taught golf in the university setting for fifteen years prior to opening her own golf instruction company. At the time of her death in 1999 she served on the research and developmental staff for Callaway Golf Company and was teaching professional at Cog Hill Country Club in Chicago.