Monday, July 13, 2015
Renee Powell Achieves Success in Golf
Renee Powell was recently given an invitation to become one
of the first seven female members of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club in St.
Andrews. Powell, 69, is an African American pro golfer. During her career on
the L.P.G.A. Tour from 1967-1980, Powell received many discriminating letters
and signed death threats. Her correspondence with the Royal and Ancient Golf
Club prove that her mailbox is no longer a source of prejudice.
Throughout her career, Powell faced a great deal of
discrimination on the road. Many times during the L.P.G.A. Tour, she was denied
a room at a hotel, a seat at a restaurant, and excluded from pro-am because of
the color of her skin. Since the L.P.G.A. was founded in 1950, six
African-Americans have played on the tour. Now, Powell can proudly say she
belongs to the most exclusive private golf club in the world.
Powell has competed in over 250 professional golf events and
won one in Brisbane, Australia. Her best finish on the L.P.G.A. Tour was a tie
for fourth at the 1972 Lady Errol Classic. Powell has often wondered how much
better she might have played if she had not encountered so much prejudice and
discrimination.
During the summer, Powell is teaching classes exclusively for
women. There are classes for women who are beginners, adults with dementia and
Alzheimer’s disease, and female military veterans. In Powell’s group lessons, female
veterans can learn a new game and make new friends with women with whom they
share similar experiences, that few can understand.
To learn more: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/13/sports/golf/at-st-andrews-renee-powell-rises-above-prejudices-to-become-a-pioneer.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=second-column-region®ion=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0
