Powell Family Receives GCSAA Award

PGA Magazine – January 2019 Issue

Northern Ohio Section

Congratulations to the Powell Family for Receiving the GCSAA’s 2019 Old Tom Morris Award

The Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA) will honor the entire Powell family—Dr. Bill Powell, Marcella Powell, Lawrence Powell and Dr. Renee Powell, PGA—with the 2019 Old Tom Morris Award.

This award is the GCSAA’s highest honor, and since 1983 has been presented to an individual, who, through a lifetime commitment to the game of golf, has helped mold the welfare of the game in a manner and style exemplified by Old Tom Morris.

The family is receiving the award because of their careers spent pioneering the game for minorities and creating opportunities for more people to enjoy the game.

Dr. Bill Powell was the first African American to build, own and operate his own golf course—Clearview Golf Club in Canton. Lawrence Powell is a 44-year member of the GCSAA, and serves as Clearview’s course superintendent. Dr. Renee Powell was the second African-American woman to join the LPGA Tour. Each has been inducted into the National Black Golf Hall of Fame — Bill in 1996, Renee in 2006 and Lawrence in 2016.

“Just as Old Tom Morris was an innovator who changed the face of the game on many fronts, so has the Powell family influenced the game to change it for the better,” said GCSAA President Darren J. Davis, CGCS. “GCSAA is honored to recognize not only two of our own in Bill and Larry Powell, but the whole family for their work in making golf a more welcoming place for everyone.”

The Powell family will accept the award on Feb. 6, 2019 during the 2019 Golf Industry Show in San Diego.

Past Old Tom Morris Award winners include: Ernie Els, Nick Price, Charlie Sifford, Jack Nicklaus, Byron Nelson, Bob Hope, Arnold Palmer, and many more.

By: Keith Moehring, PR 20/20