| This past Monday, June 27, National Links Trust hosted the second annual Renee Powell Clearview Legacy Benefit at East Potomac. The event honored Renee Powell’s contributions in women’s golf and the history of Clearview Golf Club. In addition to a junior clinic, diversity panel, and golf outing, National Links Trust also presented a $25,000 donation to the Clearview Legacy Foundation — a charitable foundation established in 2001 to preserve the legacy and facilities of Clearview Golf Club for future generations. |
| The Clearview Golf Club was the first golf course in the United States to be built, owned, and operated by an African American. The club was started in 1946, with Bill Powell purchasing the land and working on it in his spare time. It opened to the public and to all races in April 1948. Renee Powell played on the US-based LPGA Tour and is currently head professional at her family’s Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio. She was the second African American woman ever to play on the LPGA Tour. ABOUT CLEARVIEW LEGACY FOUNDATION When Renee’s father, Bill Powell, encountered racial discrimination on the golf course after returning home from World War II, he decided to build his own course where everyone would be welcome. In 1946, he established Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio. Without access to traditional golf maintenance equipment, Bill began building his course by hand and the original 9 holes opened in 1948. In honor of its 75th year, the Clearview Legacy Foundation began a campaign to endow Clearview and preserve its important role in history. |
