Ohio native, Renee Powell is a legend in women’s golf. She has received numerous awards from the USGA, The R&A, The PGA, as well as, other major golf organizations for her work as a teacher, mentor and international ambassador for the game of golf.
Powell grew up on her family’s golf course in East Canton. She competed for both Ohio and Ohio State Universities and was the second African-American woman to become a member of the LPGA Tour. She currently dedicates her time to teaching the game and working with former military veterans through PGA HOPE at Clearview Golf Club.
Renee Powell at Clearview Golf Course
The LPGA Foundation recently recognized her lifelong commitment to golf and established the Renee Powell Grant to assist the efforts of junior golf programs within the state.
“I think this grant program might help to bring young girls, African American girls and other minorities into the game of golf and to show them that there are people who played before them and that it’s a great sport,” said Renee Powell. “We need to really do a little more to change the culture of what golf is all about, in particular growing our Girls Golf programs and being very inclusive.”
During the Drive ON Championship, the first LPGA Tour event to be contested since February, the LPGA Foundation announced five Ohio organizations that will receive a total or $25,000 to further their efforts to serve LPGA & USGA Girls Golf. These organization serve junior golfers, plus create partnerships and outreach opportunities with youth organizations serving young women of color.
The five sites that will each receive $5,000 in funding:
- LPGA*USGA Girls Golf at The First Tee of Central Ohio
- LPGA*USGA Girls Golf at The First Tee of Lake Erie
- LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of East Canton, OH
- LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Greater Cleveland
- LPGA*USGA Girls Golf of Northwood Golf Academy
The Operations Director for the First Tee of Lake Erie, Amanda Liford told us this grant will allow them to reach a broader diversity of girls in the Toledo-area.
“We’re extremely thankful to be one of the five recipients of the LPGA*USGA Girls Golf Renee Powell Grant! The money will be used to help give more young women of color access to all the opportunities the game of golf has to offer. The money will allow us to increase the number of scholarships, hold additional outreach events, and offer programs in collaboration with other organizations that serve the black community, like the Boys & Girls Club of Toledo. I’m so excited to see the impact that we can make on the lives of our young women in our community.”
Even though the LPGA Tour has been on hiatus during the pandemic, they continue to fulfill their commitment to make a difference, by supporting these organizations and to honor Ms. Powell’s leadership in changing the face of golf.
