The late Marcella and Bill Powell (seated) with children Renee; and Larry who is the course superintendent (Courtesy Powell family)
by Larry Buford
In June of 2026, the historical Clearview Golf Club will celebrate its 80th anniversary. Founded by PGA of America Hall of Famer William Powell, the club stands as a living symbol of inclusion, welcoming players of all abilities and backgrounds, while preserving a vital chapter of golf history.
Each vantage point across the East Canton, Ohio course tells a portion of the Powell story. In September 1946, the World War II veteran signed a document that began one of the most courageous ventures in American free enterprise.
With that signature, the humble grandson of Alabama slaves embarked on a journey that would transcend racial barriers, overcome immense obstacles and ignite a passion for a game among those long excluded from it.
So, through unwavering persistence and perseverance, visionary William James “Bill” Powell became the only African American to design, build, own and operate a golf course in the United States. Nestled on pasture land that was once a dairy farm, Clearview Golf Club today winds through dogwoods, sassafras, oaks, and maples — a landscape as enduring as its founder’s dream.
Clearview stands as a testament to resilience. Denied access to local courses and refused G.I. Bill assistance by banks that claimed such aid didn’t exist, Powell received the financial support of his brother and two Black doctors to bring his dream of Clearview Golf Club to fruition. Today, the course is listed on the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Register of Historic Places, one of only three stand-alone Ohio courses on that honored roster.
Clearview Golf Club was placed in the Ohio Historical Register in 2001 (Courtesy Powell family)
Clearview is operated by one of golf’s most decorated families, the only family to receive the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America’s (GCSAA) Old Tom Morris Award (2019). Clearview is currently led by the founder’s children: Larry Powell, a GCSAA Life Member and namesake of scholarships for under-represented students; and his sister, Renee Powell, who was the second Black to compete on the [Ladies] LPGA Tour, and later a PGA of America Hall of Famer, and an Honorary Member of the Royal & Ancient Golf Club. The Powell family has long been among golf’s finest ambassadors, sharing the game’s values of perseverance, fairness, and fellowship.
Powell’s wife of fifty-six years, Marcella, never wavered in support of her husband’s dream. She ran the clubhouse until her death in 1996, and raised their children while her husband balanced his full-time work at the Timken Company with his labor of love at Clearview.
Today, Clearview — an international destination for diverse populations — is a welcome respite from a world that speeds by its northern border on the legendary Lincoln Highway, which was America’s first transcontinental artery for automobiles.
Clearview is also a hub for veterans’ rehabilitation, host to Clearview HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) for women, and PGA HOPE for men. Sanctioned by the PGA of America and the Veterans Administration, the programs have been a standard for bonding, enhancing mental wellness, and renewed purpose through golf.
In its 80th year, Clearview invites visitors to walk its fairways, to explore the Powell Education Building, and experience “America’s Course,” where William Powell’s timeless message still resonates: “The only color that matters is the color of the greens.”
The non-profit Clearview Legacy Foundation for Education, Preservation and Turfgrass Research, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable foundation, continues Powell’s vision to ensure golf remains accessible for generations to come.
With ongoing support — including the installation of its first irrigation system in 2025 — Clearview looks ahead to a sustainable future. Funds are still needed to cover the cost of this vital improvement, which will help preserve the course’s beauty and uphold the legacy that began eighty years ago.
Come one, come all for the 80th anniversary celebration! As an aside, for those who may want to extend their stay, the 24th Annual Pioneer Golf Tournament will take place June 26th – 28th, chaired by businessman George Bowman of Los Angeles. Says Renee Powell, “George is helping us spread the word about Clearview and the history of the Pioneer Tournament on the West Coast.”
(L-R) Nat Harris, Ron Harris, George Bowman, and Roscoe Brown at the 2023 Pioneer Golf Tournament
As the 2026 golf season draws near, please click here for other Clearview calendarized events for the year (or type https://www.clearviewgolfclub.com/events).
To learn more about Clearview Golf Club, to make a donation, or to plan your next visit, please visit their website at www.clearviewgolfclub.com
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