William Powell only African-American who build and operated his own a golf course passes away

January 2 — William James (Bill) Powell, the only African-American to build, own, and operate a golf course, passed away December 31. Powell was 93.

Powell, recipient of the PGA of America’s Distinguished Service Award in 2009, worked hard to build diversity in golf. His daughter, Renee Powell was the second African-American to compete on the LPGA Tour.

Clearview Golf Club. The grandson of Alabama slaves, Powell returned home from World War II to open doors to those otherwise denied the opportunity to play golf on whites-only courses. He worked 18-hour days to support his family as he built Clearview Golf Club in North Canton, OH.

“I hope that I have created more awareness about what Clearview is all about,” Powell said in November following his Northern Ohio PGA Hall of Fame induction, according to the PGA of America. “We have had many people come to visit us, including some from Canada. They now know who we are. I watched on TV golf being played in Shanghai, China, and I do believe that the game of golf is the best vehicle to rid hate in the world.”

Powell quietly broke down racial and gender barriers by developing women’s and youth golf leagues on his course. He opened Clearview’s first nine holes in 1948 and added another nine in 1978.

America’s Course. Clearview, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and sports the nickname, “America’s Course,” is a place where “the only color that matters is the color of the greens,” Powell told the PGA of America.

With a love for golf that began at age nine, Powell was the first black person to compete in a junior event at Orchard Hill Country Club (now The Fairways Golf Club) in North Canton. He also participated in the first inter-racial collegiate golf match in U.S. history, when his Wilberforce University men’s golf team defeated Ohio Northern University at Lost Creek Country Club in Lima, OH, said the PGA.

Honor roll. Powell earned a slew of honors over the years, including induction in 2009 into the Northern Ohio PGA Hall of Fame. He and his late wife, Marcella, are the namesakes for the Tiger Woods Foundation’s William and Marcella Powell Scholarship.

First Tee. The First Tee, a program that teaches youngsters the game and values of golf, also recognizes Powell’s contributions to the game. The initiative has distributed more than 1,100 William J. Powell Scholarships so that kids may attend The First Tee Life Skills and Leadership Academies.

Thanks to Powell’s teaching and coaching, his daughter, Renee, competed on the LPGA Tour from 1967 to 1980 and later served as head pro at an English golf club.