Bill Powell and his wife Marcella are wearing the white shirts in this photo on the golf course that they built. When Bill Powell came back from fighting in World War II, he was denied access to the privileges of the GI bill because of his race. When he attempted to get financing to open a golf course, the local banks turned him down for the same reason. He got funding from his brother and two local black doctors and built a nine hole golf course that opened in 1948 and finished the back nine holes in 1978. The golf course is one of only 15 on the National Register of Historic places. On Wednesday Bill Powell will receive the PGA Distinguished Service award, the highest honor of the PGA of America.
This is the Powell family.
3 responses to “This is the Powell family.”
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RIP – Bill Powell, 93. The grandson of slaves, he was the 1st, and only, African American to build, own and operate a golf course. Forget that idiot Tiger Woods. Think of Bill when you think African Americans in Golf! http://urdead2me.wordpress.com/2009/12/31/rip-bill-powell/
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I was sorry to learn of Bill Powell’s passing. No comment on Mr. Woods.
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[…] of Canton Ohio (the only African American female Class A member of the PGA of America – this is her family) would begin her professional career as the second of three black women to play on […]
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