In September, the Metropolitan Jewels Ladies Golf Club traveled to Canton, Ohio to play on the historic Clearview Golf Club, the oldest Black-owned course in America. The fall golf tournament, hosted by the Wake Robin Golf Club (Maryland) — one of the oldest women’s golf clubs in the United States, brought together passionate women golfers from up and down the East Coast and as far west as Chicago.
Founded in 1946 by Dr. William Powell and his wife Marcella, Clearview was created with a powerful vision: to establish “America’s Golf Course,” where everyone, regardless of race, could enjoy the game. After returning from WWII, Dr. Powell was unable to find a course that would allow African Americans to play, and thus Clearview was born. Today, Renee Powell, the second Black woman on the LPGA tour, sits at the helm of what her father created.
The Jewels’ weekend began with 18 holes at Clearview on Friday, joined by sister organizations—the Winston Lake Ladies Golf Association and the Triangle Women in Golf (TWIG), both hailing from North Carolina. The atmosphere was filled with camaraderie, competition, and the thrill of the game. The legacy of Clearview and the hospitality of Ms. Powell was the perfect environment, blending the significance of the course’s history with the power of new friendships.
However, Ohio’s severe drought posed a unique challenge. The state’s dry conditions had wreaked havoc on the greens, and Clearview, unlike modern courses, does not have an irrigation system. Built by Dr. Powell’s hands, Clearview has historically relied on nature to sustain its grounds, but today, Renee Powell, Dr. Powell’s daughter, is raising $2 million to install a modern irrigation system that will preserve her father’s legacy. The Jewels left inspired to join this cause.
On Saturday, the three clubs continued their Ohio adventure at Pleasant View Golf Course in Paris, Ohio, founded by friends and allies of the Powells. At Pleasant View, the ladies connected with two of the owners of The Quarry Golf Club, in Canton, Ohio. At the owners’ invitation, the Jewels, Winston-Lake, and TWIG enjoyed a wonderful dinner at The Quarry Golf Club Grille. The ladies further connected over a great meal with the picturesque lake of the Quarry as a backdrop, further emphasizing the untold African American contribution to the game of golf.
Determined to support Clearview’s future, the Jewels, with the help of public relations agency TJM & Co. Media Boutique, are planning a celebrity golf tournament in spring 2025 to raise funds and awareness for Clearview’s new irrigation system. This event promises to unite the golf community around a worthy cause and ensure Clearview’s legacy thrives for generations to come.
For the Jewels, playing on a historic course alongside several other women’s clubs, was a meaningful reminder of the power of golf to unite people across cultures and generations.
For more information on the Metropolitan Jews Ladies Golf Club visit their facebook page.
