Distinguished
Gentleman
Powell met Marcella Oliver (now deceased) and they were married on Nov. 22, 1940, Powell’s birthday. Powell went on to serve in the U.S. Army Air Corps through the end of World War II. ● WILLIAM J. (BILL) POWELL OF EAST CANTON, OHIO, WHO overcame racial barriers to become the only African- American to design, build, own and operate a golf course while pioneering diversity in golf, has been
named the recipient of the 2009 PGA Distinguished Service Award.
Army Air Corps, Bill Powell received the
financial backing of two black physicians in
nearby Canton and Massillon, Ohio, to
begin building a public golf course. Powell
added his own part of the necessary capital
after his brother, Berry, took out a loan on
his home.
Powell’s dream took fruit in April 1948,
with nine holes opening for play on the
former dairy farmland. A decade later,
Powell bought out his partners and added an
additional 52 acres for a second nine holes.
The complete 18-hole layout was opened for play in 1978. Today, Clearview Golf Club is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Powell, 92, and a PGA Life Member, will be honored this week in a ceremony in conjunction with the 91st PGA Championship. The PGA of America’s highest annual honor, the PGA Distinguished Service Award, inaugurated in 1988, honors outstanding individuals who display leadership and humanitarian qualities, including integrity, sportsmanship and enthusiasm for the game of golf.
“William Powell’s dream to build a golf course where players regardless of the color of their skin would be welcome was a task that he met under great duress, hardship and personal sacrifice,” says PGA President Jim Remy. “Yet, Mr. Powell displayed exceptional courage, grace and the finest character while persevering toward his goal of opening Clearview Golf Club in East
“This is quite an honor, and it is something I savor due to so many good people in The PGA that made it happen,” says Powell. “I am so humbled to have people think this way of me. I have had so many special things happen to me, I believe, because golf sees no color.”
Canton, Ohio.
“He and his family represent the best in our sport and what it means to treat one’s neighbor with dignity and respect.”
Powell is the father of PGA and LPGA
Professional Renee Powell, the 2003 PGA
Born Nov. 22, 1916, in Butler County, Greenville, Ala., Powell was the third child of six children of Berry and Massaleaner Powell. As the post-World War I economy shifted, the Powell family moved to Minerva, Ohio.
First Lady of Golf and the second African-
American to compete on the LPGA Tour.
Renee is the PGA head professional at
Clearview Golf Club, where she is joined by her brother, Larry, a member of the Golf
Powell discovered a love for golf at age 9 by playing and caddieing at Edgewater Golf Course. As his own game developed, Powell became a multi-sport athlete at Minerva High School.
Course Superintendents Association of
America.
In September 1946, while denied a G.I.
He later attended Wilberforce University in Xenia, Ohio, and was a member of the school’s golf team.
Loan despite serving honorably in the U.S.
THE PGA OF AMERICA
A pioneer on behalf of diversifying golf, PGA Life Member William Powell receives the 2009 PGA Distinguished Service Award
By Bob Denney
1988 Herb Graffis 1989 Bob Hope 1990 No recipient 1991 Gerald Ford 1992 Gene Sarazen 1993 Byron Nelson 1994 Arnold Palmer 1995 Patty Berg 1996 Frank Chirkinian 1997 George H. W. Bush 1998 Paul Runyan 1999 Bill Dickey 2000 Jack Nicklaus 2001 Mark McCormack 2002 Tim Finchem 2003 Vince Gill 2004 Pete Dye 2005 Wally Uihlein 2006 Fred Ridley 2007 Jack Burke Jr. 2008 Dennis Walters Past PGA Distinguished Service Award recipients