Paine College Lions finish third in inaugural “Leave A Legacy” Golf Invitational

November 8, 2008

The Paine College Lions arrived in Caton, Ohio and were greeted by scenery they know very well. The six golf team members accompanied by head golf coach, Hoover Johnson walked onto a lush green lawn and entered the immaculately designed club house of the first and thus far, only golf course designed, built, owned and operated by an African-American.
The Leave A Legacy Golf Invitational was the first hosted by the Clearview Legacy Golf Foundation and Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). The tournament was designed to give recognition and build awareness of the game of golf to the minority community as well as provide internship opportunities for the golfers. John Deere and Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and JC Watts Corporation were on hand to distribute information.
Paine College, Benedict College and Kentucky State University all took part in the historic event made possible by Dr. William Powell.
Powell, 92, faced racial discrimination on the golf course after returning home from World War II. That discrimination pushed him to build a course that welcomed all races. In 1946, he carved all nine holes of the golf course himself. He later added nine more in 1978.
The golf invitational was appropriately named being that Powell’s family has continued his legacy. Powell’s daughter, Renee Powell learned the game of golf from her father and went on to the LPGA Tour. She is one of three African American women to ever play in the tour. She also serves as Clearview’s Head Golf Professional, and is known as one of America’s top teachers.
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