Ohio Golf Journal October 2017

The Lincoln Highway (U.S. 30) is an integral part of United States history. It was the first paved road opened for transcontinental automobile traffic in 1913. Before Interstate Highways, it traversed over 3,100 miles through 14 states, serving as the main street for 700 cities, towns and villages from New York to San Francisco. In Ohio, U.S. 30 is now a four-lane interstate highway through most of the state, but when you reach Canton, it is reduced to the original two- lane road. Heading eastward past the NFL Hall of Fame, through East Canton, past the main square and a couple traffic lights, on out past the used car dealerships and gas stations, you will find Clearview Golf Course. It is one of only a handful of golf courses that have been recognized in the National Registry of Historical sites, and full of history it is. William “Bill” Powell returned to eastern Ohio after serving in the Army during WW II, with a dream of building a golf course. He was a pretty fair golfer before the war interrupted his life and he wanted nothing more than to be involved with the game for the rest of his life. Powell found a plot of land large enough to accommodate a nine-hole course, with slightly rolling terrain and adequate drainage. With thousands of GI’s returning home from Europe and the Pacific Theater, the economy would soon be booming and the men would be looking for a sport to spend their leisure time, plus down a couple of cold ones in the 19 th hole. A golf course in a densely populated area with little competition seemed like an endeavor that any bank could get behind. Bankers liked to play golf, right? There was one minor problem, however. This was 1946 and Bill Powell was a Black Man. The United States Military denied Powell a GI Loan, even though he had proudly served his country in the Great War. Certain NFL and professional athletes are protesting about conditions today for lower income African Americans, they should have lived in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Bill Powell didn’t organize a protest or causea fuss, he found another way to accomplish his dream. To support his family, he worked nights at the nearby Timken factory as a janitor and security guard. He finally received the financing he needed, when two African- American doctors provided part of the investment and his brother put a mortgage on his home, to provide the rest. Powell bought an adjoining piece of land, in 1978, and added another nine holes to complete the present-day 18- hole course. It became the first and only golf facility designed, built, owned and operated by a man of color in the country. Bill mowed the greens, ran the cash register and taught the Ohioan Renee Powell to be Enshrined in the PGA of America Golf Hall of Fame By: Fred Altvater Golf has been my entire life, and my family has been my inspiration. Golf is what I do, it is who I am. Ohio Golf Journal Ohio Golf Journal