RENEE POWELL (PGA/LPGA)
Blog: March-May 2012
Each month during the winter has been pretty busy for me and we are getting closer to spring and the opening of golf season.
This past February was one of the roughest weather wise in quite a while – we experienced another power outage, record snow fall and floods. All in a month with the shortest number of days. The inclement weather has still given me the opportunity to get much accomplished.
I was able to fly into Newark, NJ courtesy of the New Jersey Nets as they were honoring my father William Powell during Black History Month. It was an honor being able to accept an award on his behalf, but I sure wish he could have done it personally.
Because of the fact that ABC Anchor, Robin Roberts admired my father so much and has a great deal of respect for what he had done through adverse conditions and at the time in which he built Clearview I was able to appear on Good Morning America and talk about my dad and give an update on what is happening during this 65th anniversary when Clearview was created.
Since it is an early morning show, the driver picked me up at 7:00 a.m. in preparation for my appearance. For those of you who did not see the program live on Friday Feb 11, 2011 you can go to Clearview Legacy Foundation on facebook to see some of the pictures of Robin and me or you can probably go into the Goof Morning America archives.
The Nets vs Knicks game was pretty exciting for a while, and as the Nets were honoring my dad, my loyalty was with the Nets even though all the people around me seemed to be pulling for the other team. Four of my cousins were there with me for the game, two from Ohio, one from New York and the other was from Boston, MA–all there because of their uncle and to lend me their support.
I am still amazed that a team so far away where we have no connection chose to tell the history of a man from Ohio. Guess I look at him as my dad and he really is an international figure.
Earlier in the day on Saturday a good friend picked my girl cousin and me up and drove us to the USGA Museum in Far Hills, NY where we met some other friends. I am embarrassed to say that it was my first time there and we were given an amazing tour by Susan Wasser and another gentleman who came in on his day off to allow us to understand everything that goes on to preserve our golf history.
I was embarrassed because I have served on the USGA Girls Junior Championship Committee for nearly 20 years and just never made it to Far Hills, but what a beautiful place and setting for the history of golf.
Currently the USGA Museum has a wonderful African American display up which will remain until the end of May –not just during Black History Month. I was a bit startled as I walked the halls and just before entering the Ben Hogan Room there on the wall is a rather large picture of me on the wall with a quote.
I enjoyed the day and the setting so much that we are now planning our New Jersey/New York Clearview Legacy Foundation fundraiser at the USGA Museum. I would probably be safe to say that many reading this blog have never been to the Museum and many may not have even known it was in Far Hills, New Jersey.
If you are wondering where much of the research is done and where the place is that makes the rules of golf and works from to conduct the 13 championships like the US Open and the US Women’s Open – it is where we are planning to host the NY/NJ fundraiser for Clearview. It will take place on May 23rd but there will be more details to follow.
Last Tuesday I flew to Atlanta for some meetings and back home on Wednesday. Drove to Beaver Falls, PA on Thursday, for a speaking engagement to Big Beaver Elementary School, scheduled for Friday morning.
Dr Todd Allen a professor at Geneva College in Beaver Falls does a Civil Rights Bus Tour all through the south. The final stop on the tour has been Clearview Golf Club for the past four years. In the past those on the tour has the luxury and opportunity of meeting my father and hearing from him – last year I became the greeter. When Dr Allen asked if I would speak I was glad to do so.
As I stated earlier this is a very important milestone year for Clearview. If we think back to 65 years ago and how so many of our family members at that time had to struggle because of lack of equality – it is even more amazing that a black man was able to build a golf course that was open for the public to play.
When you read newspaper clippings of what it was like in the 1940’s 50’s and 60’s for people of color if you did not know the story, one would never believe that Clearview had ever happened. I know because I lived it! I am not a proponent of living in the past, but I am a very strong advocate of knowing history and using those lessons in order to move forward in a very positive manner. Golf is my passion and I love doing whatever it takes to make it better and love introducing it to our generation and the next.
We are working on a number of fundraising projects and one that I am very excited about is a partnership that we have formed with Sweet Spot Apparel, Inc. They are a minority owned golf apparel manufacturer based outside of Atlanta, GA. Since 2001, Sweet Spot has been providing high quality golf and lifestyle apparel that rivals the best brands in the business without the brand name prices.
When we first met, they recognized the heritage and importance of Clearview. We created a method to drive dollars directly to Clearview through a program to benefit the course and the foundation. It’s called “Just Buy 1” (or more). The program gives everyone an opportunity to be involved with helping to perpetuate the vision of William Powell as a portion of every commemorative shirt sold goes directly to Clearview.
It is also important to note that Sweet Spot Apparel through the “Just Buy 1” campaign is the only golf apparel manufacturer lending its support to a place so crucial to American history and culture—Clearview Golf Club.
By clicking here – you will be able to choose and order the products you wish. This will be a great way for your club or organization to show support to Clearview even if you are unable to make a trip to East Canton, Ohio to play a round of golf.
We here at Clearview are so proud of the logo that William Powell designed for the golf club and know that you too will wear the Clearview logo with great pride. When you think of ordering your shirts for yourself, or your golf outings think of Sweet Spot Golf Apparel and how you even from afar can play a role in benefitting Clearview.
Next month I will talk to the ladies in detail about the launch of the Renee Powell (RP) Signature ladies line of golf apparel. I will hope to see many of you in the RP line as I travel around the country and when you come here to play and visit Clearview.
Do mark your calendars if you live in the east so you can be a part of the unique fundraiser for the Clearview Legacy Foundation in NY/NJ area, May 23, 2011.
Spring is nearly here so make sure you start off by stretching first in preparation for that first round of golf.
Shasta Averyhardt wrote me that she received an exemption and will be playing in the Kia LPGA tournament and will do the Monday qualifier for the Founders Cup. I told her that since she and I are the only two women of color who hold an LPGA Tour card and since I play so little these days – she gets the chance to tee it up for both of us. She will do fine.
There is one African American female who has qualified for the Duramed Futures Tour this year. Her name is Jameisha Levister and she called me last week. Good luck to both of these young ladies and also to Joseph Bramlett. It is nice to have a few young people especially of color to pull for and wish well.
If you have any questions for me, please feel free to send me a message or comment. Dont forget to follow Clearview Legacy Foundation on Facebook.
For the Love of the Game,
Renee Powell (PGA/LPGA)
Head Golf Professional
Clearview Golf Course
P.O. Box 30196
East Canton, OH 44730
(330) 488-0404
www.clearview-gc.com
Send Renee A Comment!
The first weekend of February was the launch of the children’s book about my father, “Twice As Good”.
Copies of the book are available at $20.00 each and includes tax and shipping. Orders may be sent directly to me, Renee Powell at email: cv46@AOL.com, plus I will autograph all copies ordered directly from me!
