Renee Powell and her brother Larry Powell accept their award at the podium.
The USGA Museum played host to the history of the Black Golf Experience on Friday, Feb. 20th, 2014 at its facility located in Far Hills, N.J. with an invitation only, private opening ceremony, 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
On Saturday, a general public event enlightened guests from 10:00 a.m. -5:00 pm. In attendance we’re golfing legends Calvin Peete, Renee Powell, Larry Powell (Renee’s brother and superintendent for their Clearview golf course), Bill Bishop, Head Pro at Freeway Golf Course and Madelyn Turner, United Golfers Association champion.
On hand to welcome guests was USGA personnel Susan Wasser, Assistant Director, Museum Operations; Kim Gianetti, Manager, Museum Marketing and Outreach, Mike Trostel, Curator/Historian and President Mike Davis along with others. The USGA staff went all out in seeing to it that everyone was comfortably accommodated. They spared no expense it appeared. On Saturday, a distinguished five- person panel session was held inclusive of questions and answers with excellent knowledge imparted.
Photo (l-R) Calvin Peete with John Perry
Panelists included: 
Calvin Peete played in 8 Master’s tournaments, won 12 PGA tour events, including the prestigious “Player’s Tournament”, held at the famous TPC Sawgrass.
He didn’t take up the game until he was 28 years old. He got his PGA playing card at the age of 32. Considered somewhat of a late bloomer, his accuracy on tour was legendary, second to none.
He qualified for, and played o, 2 Ryder Cup Teams during his short career.
At the Black History Symposium he stated that he received his first sponsorship from a complete stranger, “A white businessman whose name I don’t remember,” said Peete. He also recalled that the “heaven sent” sponsor sent him a check for $500.00 a week, for 6 months.
He was more a savior than a stranger. 
Photo (L-R) Renee Powell with John Perry
Renee Powell and her brother Larry are the primary caretakers of the famous and historic Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio. Their father Bill Powell designed, built, and ran it for years, until his health declined. He passed away on December 31st, 2009, at the age of 93. Renee and Larry assured the audience that their father’s legacy and Clearview will continue, even after they’re gone. Renee was the second African American female to play on the LPGA tour. Along with Althea Gibson, who was better known for her tennis accomplishments than her golfing achievements. Renee said that she first met Althea in 1960 and remained friends up until her death on September 28, 2003, in East Orange, N .J. Renee and Larry both stated that running and operating a golf course today is no easy task. It has it’s share of challenges and demands, which they meet with genuine dedication and determination. 
Photo: Calvin Peete is jovial with the audience as Larry Powell observes.
Bill Bishop said to the audience that he, his grandfather, his uncle—and I think a cousin—were arrested when he was very young, for allegedly stealing chicken, when they were actually just hitting golf balls near a farmer’s house. He spent 4 days in jail for that misunderstanding. He added that his mother passed away when he was only 18-months old. Bishop is still the Head Pro at Freeway Golf Course in Sicklerville, N.J., outside of Philadelphia, which he also said is not always the city of “Brotherly Love”.
Madelyn Turner was also in attendance on the distinguished panel. Madelyn is a former United Golfer’s Association champion and Wake-Robin Golf Club member. She learned the game by caddying for her mother, who was an active golfer. Madeline says that she owes a lot to the game of golf and, is a big advocate in recruiting other women to take up the sport.
Story by: John H. Perry a freelance writer, poet and active golfer with a passion for calling shots like he sees them and, then, telling it like it is. He resides in Vauxhall, NJ.
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
