On a small golf course just east of Canton, Ohio, William and Marcella Powell raised three children on their small golf course, two boys and a girl. Renee’ gravitated to the game at a young age and her father even built a short course for her to learn the game.
Renee’ excelled at golf, but with few junior golf tournament opportunities in the late 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 African-American female to qualify for the USGA’s Junior Girl’s Championship in 1962. She parlayed her golfing skills into a college scholarship, first at Ohio University and then at 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, plus she received death threats.
Through it all she prevailed and is still full of joy for the game, as well as, a love for teaching juniors, women and men at that same small golf course her father built outside of Canton in 1946.
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 has traveled and spread the word of golf around the world. She was recognized by St. Andrews University, with an honorary Doctorate 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 internationally 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.”
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 Renee’ was inducted into the PGA of America’s Hall of Fame in 2017. She joined her father, who was enshrined in 2013.
Renee’ Powell, from East Canton, is American Golf Royalty and is most content, when she is spreading the word of golf at that same little golf course her father built in 1946.
