September 30, 2020 | BY AAGD STAFF
It’s going to be a contest between two great legends when Renee Powell and Annika Sorenstam face-off as captains of the 2021 Ping Junior Solheim Cup. Renee, 74, learned the game at her Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio, a historic course her father built with his own hands in 1934 after he returned from World War II. Renee will captain the 12-player U.S. team at Sylvania Country Club in nearby Toledo, Ohio during the Tuesday, August 31 – Monday, September 6, 2021 event. The announcement was made by the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) announced on September 28. The LET previously announced that Annika Sorenstam will lead the European team.
“I can’t wait to see the growth from when I first meet each player to when the last ball is picked up from the last hole in the PING Junior Solheim Cup,” Powell said to GolfWeek magazine. “I’m excited to be able to see the excitement on [the girls’] faces when they are doing what the love and representing the United States. I am proud that my state of Ohio is the host state for both the PING Junior Solheim Cup and the Solheim Cup.”
Powell, the second African American woman ever to play on the LPGA Tour is a role model for girls around the world. During college, she was captain of both Ohio State and Ohio University golf teams. While competing on the LPGA she endured racial slurs, discrimination and even death threats, yet she continued to pursue her dream. Powell has achieved many awards and accolades for her contributions to the sport and has served as an ambassador, traveling worldwide with more than 24 trips to Africa.
John A. Solheim, PING Chairman & CEO said “We’re honored Renee has accepted our offer to captain the U.S. PING Junior Solheim Cup team in 2021.” “She’s a true pioneer in the game of golf whose accomplishments speak for themselves and contributions to the sport around the world are long and ever-lasting. Her support of girl’s golf throughout her hall-of-fame career makes her the perfect choice for the captain’s role.”
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Today, Renee is Head Pro at her Clearview golf course and continues her father’s legacy with her brother Larry, course superintendent. Both proudly manage and operate America’s only golf course designed, constructed and owned by a Black man.
Among her notable history, Renee was the first woman of color elected to membership in the PGA of America and was later named the first At-Large Director of its Board. In 2002, she was named the PGA’s First Lady of Golf and throughout her career she has received a swath of awards, including the Golf Writers Association of America’s Charlie Bartlett Award, which is presented to a playing professional for their unselfish contributions for the betterment of society. This past August, she was honored with the Donald Ross Award from the American Society of Golf Course Architects.
Being a history-maker has followed Renee all of her life, and in 2015, she was one of two American women bestowed honorary membership into the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
Former U.S. Junior Solheim Cup captains:
2019: Mary Bea Porter-King
2017: Alice Miller
2015: JoAnne Carner
2013: Kathy Whitworth
2011: Meg Mallon
2009: Nancy Lopez
2007: Donna Andrews
2005: Colleen Walker
2003: Val Skinner
2002: Sherri Steinhauer
