Star profile: Renee Powell

Black Enterprise, Sept, 1995 by Eric L. Smith

Renee Powell is the last African American woman to play on the LPGA tour and one of only three ever to accomplish the feat. She's considered by many to be a pioneer in the sport. But speak to her about that accomplishment or the legacy she'll leave behind, and Powell will say she's only a small story, hardly worth mentioning.

Far more important to the golf pro are the accomplishments of her father, Bill Powell. who's served as both instructor and mentor throughout her life. Powell introduced Renee to the game when she was only three years old. This took some doing because he wasn't allowed on the all-white golf courses at the time. So he built his own, the Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio. "It's the only golf course that's been totally designed and built by an African American," Renee says proudly.

From the golf course in East Canton, Renee went on to take the game by storm, participating in over 100 amateur golf tournaments and serving as captain of the Ohio State University Ladies Golf Team. Then in 1967, she joined the LPGA tour. Her accomplishments with a golf club have taken her all around the world. Powell participated in over 250 tournaments in nations including the United States, Japan, Australia, Morocco, Spain, and England.

Powell left the tour in 1980. Since then she's worked as a television commentator for both ABC and CBS, conducted golf clinics and exhibitions to Africa, and was appointed head golf professional at Silvermore Golf Club near London, the first woman to be so named in the history of the United Kingdom.

But despite her success, or perhaps because of it, Powell is dismayed by fewer African Americans playing professionally than ever before. This despite claims by the PGA that they are attempting to make the sport more accessible to minorities. "When you look at someone like Tiger Woods," she asserts, "you have to remember that he's an individual. There shouldn't be a lot of pressure on his back to lead the way for everybody. He shouldn't be the only person carrying the torch."

Powell has done her part to introduce the game to a new generation of black youths, conducting golf clinics and lecture tours to predominantly black colleges during the mid-eighties.

But with all of her accomplishments, the one that Powell may be most proud of is returning home, to take over the position of head golf professional at Clearview in January. "It means a great sense of personal pride to be involved with my father's dream. He wanted to build a golf course that would benefit all people, regardless of race or creed."