March 08, 2013
Photo: PGA of America
William J. “Bill” Powell was the leader of a resolute campaign to make the game of golf “color blind” by building Clearview Golf Club of East Canton, Ohio. He remains the only African-American to build, own and operate a golf course in the United States.
In 1945, following his return from serving in World War II, Powell was denied access to local golf clubs due to the color of his skin. In 1946, Powell began breaking down barriers by building Clearview. Now listed among the National Register of Historic Places, Clearview opened with programs that are mainstream today, including women’s leagues, junior tournaments, adult after-work leagues, and group lessons.
To return to our complete coverage of the 2013 PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame induction ceremony, click here.
Powell was 83 when he was granted PGA Life Member status, retroactive to 1962, a year when The PGA of America dismantled another social barrier, the “Caucasian clause” in its by-laws.
Born Nov. 22, 1916, the grandson of Alabama slaves and in the birth year of The PGA of America, Powell’s life journey began as his family moved to Minerva, Ohio, when he was 3. Powell discovered a love for golf at age 9, by playing and caddying at Edgewater Golf Course. He became a multi-sport athlete at Minerva High School.
At age 16, Powell hitchhiked 42 miles round trip to compete in a junior event at Orchard Hills Country Club (now Arrowhead Country Club) in north Canton. Though initially denied entry, he waited two hours before officials granted him access. He went on to finish third in the tournament.
Powell attended Wilberforce University in Xenia, Ohio, where in 1937 the school’s men’s golf team traveled to face Ohio Northern University at Lost Creek Country Club in Lima, Ohio. It was the first inter-racial collegiate golf match in American history. Wilberforce returned home triumphant and captured the rematch. Sixty-five years later, the two schools gathered for another match, this time at Clearview Golf Club.
Powell served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, attaining the rank of Tech Sergeant. Returning home after the war, Powell found clubhouse doors were not open to him. Powell received the financial support of two black physicians in Canton and Massillon, Ohio, to break ground on a public golf course.
In April 1948, nine holes opened for play on what was once dairy farmland. Powell said of Clearview, “It is where the only color that matters is the color of the greens.”
Powell was the recipient of the 2009 PGA Distinguished Service Award.
In 2001, Clearview Golf Club established the Clearview Legacy Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization for education, preservation, and turfgrass research.
Powell passed away at age 93 on Dec. 31, 2009. He is survived by his daughter, Renee, and a son, Larry. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marcella, and a son, Billy.
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March 1, 2013—NEW YORK (NY) — Essence Magazine, a premiere lifestyle, fashion, and beauty magazine for Black American women, has chosen to quote the Publisher of the African American Golfer’s Digest in their March 2014 women’s issue. The March edition of ESSENCE features Comedian Steve Harvey and his wife Marjorie on its cover, and ESSENCE believes that the information shared with its readers in the quote will help answer the questions that thousands of single, Black American women who are asking: “Where are all of the Black men?”
Recently, I was over at the Caddy Shack, a nice little, beautiful restaurant, owned by actor Bill Murray and his 5 brothers.
It’s easy to find the Caddy Shack. There’s a big sign right out on highway I-95 in St. Augustine—You can’t miss it.
I have been caddying since the age of nine and a lot of things sure have changed since then.
I got some people from overseas even calling and asking about me—from as far away as Switzerland and Japan. After all those 18 years that I caddied for the Black Knight, Mr. Gary Player. I also caddied for Arnold Palmer. With all that cadding I got me some fans in all parts of the world. How about that? I caddied over 50 years and that’s what I liked most about it. You never know who you’re going to run into next. Gosh, it would take me all day to run that list down to you.
Anyway, with the help of friends, I’ll going to be making some speeches in some cities over the next few months, so that is pretty good. Right? What you think about that! Me—Alfred Dyer—going on the road to talk to people, signing autographs and telling stories about my golfing journeys. And after the golfing part is over, I can do a meet n’ greet with the players and people can take photos with me and I’ll sign my new book! How about that? (Photo above: John Downing with Rabbit)
In the “off season, he ran clinics, held exhibitions, and in general inspired and developed
In his foreword to “Mastering Golf’s Toughest Shots,” Gary Player praised Rabbit as a friend, “special” man, and a meaningful part of his success, and described the various roles that caddies play:
Since 1997, the PCA, founded by Dennis and Laura Cone, has worked to promote and support caddies at all levels of golf. The PCA Caddie Foundation has helped many young caddies receive educational support, and the PCA Caddie Benevolent and Retirement Fund provides financial benefits to retired caddies. The PCA also conducts a caddie training and certification program and has helped train more than 12,000 caddies worldwide.
Jack Ross writes for New England Golf Monthly, Kingdom
In addition to playing golf, Mrs. Tucker was active in the community and often narrated fashion shows, organized the Golden Angels Club, a social organization involving women and church. She was a member of the New Salem Missionary Baptist Church for many years before moving her membership to First Baptist
Photo: Pete wins San Diego Open (1971)
However, it seems like Pete and Margaret least won’t have to endure the long, cold, Ohio winters much longer.