by Tamara Stuchlak
Picture yourself on the first tee of the Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio having a bucket list experience. You pause to pinch yourself with glee and gratitude because you have landed on the hallowed ground of the Powell Family golf legacy of Golf for Everyone. Soon you’ll be receiving golf instruction from Renee Powell a golf professional and educator – LPGA Tour professional, Golf Digest Top 50 Best Women Teachers, and the PGA of America’s First Lady of Golf. Can it be that Dr. Renee Powell, golf royalty is really going to watch and tell me what to do to be better?
As I take a few practice swings it starts to sink in, Dr. Renee Powell is the pride of America, a golf legend, and an honorary female member of the Royal and Ancient (R&A) Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland. Along with Louise Suggs co-founder of the LPGA (1923-2015), she is one of just two American women with this international distinction. And Renee Powell’s golfing accomplishments link her with 5 other legendary Americans – Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Tom Watson and George H.W. Bush who are also R&A honorary members.
Dr. Renee Powell was the second African-American after tennis legend Althea Gibson to play on the LPGA Tour competing in more than 250 events after joining in 1967. Since leaving the LPGA Tour in 1980, she has devoted her life to introducing life skills and growing the game among underprivileged children, members of the military and golfers from the United States to Great Britain to Africa.
In February 2015, Renee Powell became one of seven female members, and the first and only African-American female member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in St. Andrews, Scotland. Renee Powell joins several other notable women who accepted honorary membership in the Royal and Ancient Golf Club including Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, Dame Laura Davies, Belle Robertson MBE, Lally Segard, Annika Sorenstam and Louise Suggs.
“This is a historic day for the Club and we could not be more proud to welcome women who have distinguished themselves in golf over many years and have been great players and champions. They are extremely worthy additions to our roll of honorary members and will become ambassadors for the Club as they have been for the sport of golf throughout their careers.”
George Macgregor OBE, Captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.
In 2003, Renée Powell received the PGA, America’s First Lady of Golf award. In 2007, she received the inaugural Rolex For the Love of the Game award. In 2008, the University of St. Andrews bestowed Renee with an honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD). And honored with a Doctor of Public Service, University of Maryland, Eastern Shore in 2010.
