By: Fred Altvater
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 course that has 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 19th 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 cause a 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 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 game as the club’s Head Pro. He was not a PGA certified golf professional, because back in those days, the PGA had a Caucasian-only rule, Blacks need not apply.
Bill and his wife, Marcella raised three children on their small golf course, two boys and a girl. The middle child gravitated to the game at a young age and Bill even built a short course for young girl to learn the game.
Renee’ excelled at golf, but with few junior golf tournament opportunities in the 1950’s and early 1960’s for young women of color, her playing options were limited. The United Golf Association (UGA) was primarily a professional golf circuit for African-Americans barred from PGA tournaments, but they also sponsored women and junior events, for both boys and girls.
Renee’ excelled in several of the UGA events and at the age of 16, was the first Afro-American female to qualify for the USGA’s Junior Girl’s Championship in 1962. She parlayed her golfing skills into a college scholarship. She played collegiate golf, first at Ohio University and then for Ohio State.
Althea Gibson was the first African-American to become a member of the LPGA Tour. Renee’ was the second, competing professionally from 1967 to 1980. Those were not easy times traveling around the country for a young black athlete. Restaurants would refuse service, hotel reservations would suddenly be lost, when she went to check in, plus she received death threats.
Through it all she prevailed and is still full of joy for the game and love of teaching juniors, women and men the game of a lifetime.
When The R&A voted to admit women members in 2015, Renee’ was shocked to hear her name included on that exclusive list of just seven women, with Princess Anne, Laura Davies, Belle Robertson, Lally Segard, Annika Sorenstam and Louise Suggs.
Powell spent several years living in England, she even served as a Head Professional at an English Golf Club for a time. With an idea to teach golf to African nations, she contacted several embassies and eventually gained permission to travel and spread the word.
She has been recognized by St. Andrews University and has led junior golfers to Scotland to study the history of golf, as well as, view the iconic courses.
In 2003, the PGA of America recognized Powell for her work in promoting the game of golf throughout the world with its “First Lady of Golf” award.
Then PGA of America President, M.G. Orender said,
“Renee’ Powell is a member of one of the great families of golf in our country, whose life’s work has been to open the doors to many, who would not have had the opportunity to pick up a golf club and find enjoyment in their lives. Renee’s tireless efforts to build opportunities for young people in golf have elevated her among her peers.”
She joined an impressive list of winners of the “First Lady of Golf” award, Barbara Nicklaus, Judy Rankin, Judy Bell and Nancy Lopez. It was a high honor, indeed.
In accepting the award Renee’ said,
“Golf has been my entire life, and my family has been my inspiration. Golf is what I do, it is who I am.”
The game of golf has been the recipient of the talents of one of the great women of the game and Ms. Powell’s latest honor of being inducted into the PGA of America’s Hall of Fame is well deserved.
She is extremely proud and honored to be enshrined with her father, who was enshrined in the PGA Hall of Fame in 2013. Bill Powell created something that most would consider impossible, his daughter has carried on that legacy and Clearview Golf Club remains a living tribute to his efforts.
Renee’ Powell has hob knobbed with royalty, but continues to spread the word of golf across the world with her contagious charm, a smile that will warm any heart and boundless enthusiasm.
She is already a member of four golf Halls of Fame and received an Honorary Doctorate from the University of St. Andrews, for her work growing golf internationally.
Renee’ Powell from East Canton, Ohio and Clearview Golf Club is American Golf Royalty at its finest.
