In that match and in one later that year, Wilberforce was victorious. This was the first time in American history that a black college and a white college competed against each other in the sport. In 1937 he formed the first golf team at Wilberforce University along with his older brother Berry. History was made when Wilberforce University and Ohio Northern University played a match against each other. Although he played golf in high school at various golf courses–both private and public–he found that after graduation he was not welcome at those same area golf courses, simply because of the color of his skin. Bill captained both the golf and football teams at Minerva High School. He learned to play golf as a caddy, like so many other greats such as Gene Sarazen and Walter Hagen he became very passionate about the game. At the age of nine, he discovered the game of golf and began playing and caddying at the golf course which was being built in his hometown. He grew up in Minerva, Ohio where his family was the only black family in the small town. Of the over 16,000 golf courses in the United States, there are only 15 listed on the National Register. Also in 2001, the Clearview Legacy Foundation for education, preservation and research (a 501c3 tax exempt charitable foundation) was formed. In 2001, an Ohio Historical Marker was placed on the first tee and Clearview was placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the Department of the Interior. The first 9 holes opened in 1948 his wife Marcella did most of the landscaping by hand! When the second 9 holes were added, Clearview became an 18 hole golf course. Powell broke ground in East Canton, Ohio for what is today the Clearview Golf Course. In 1946 at the age of 28, William (Bill) J Powell became the only (black) American to design, build, own and operate a golf course anywhere in the United States.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |