CLEVELAND — The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission has announced that Canton native and professional golfer Renee Powell will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during the 24th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards.
Powell will be the first woman recipient of the award and will be honored on Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024, at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. The Lifetime Achievement Award is given to someone who has "dedicated their life to the advancement of sports in Cleveland."
Renee, a trailblazer in golf, was born in East Canton and attended Central Catholic High School. She spent her childhood growing up at Clearview Golf Club, which was owned by her father, Bill Powell.
After serving in World War II, Bill opened Clearview Golf Club, the first course in the country designed, built and owned by an African American.
She found success during her early days on the course, winning over 30 tournaments in her teenage years. Renee broke barriers in the game of golf, becoming just the second African American woman to compete on the LPGA Tour and the first African American woman to become a member of the PGA.
From 1967 to 1980, Renee competed in over 250 tournaments and won the 1973 Kelly Springfield Open in Brisbane, Australia.
After her time on the LPGA Tour, Renee became an International Goodwill Ambassador, traveling to Africa over 25 times to host golf clinics. In addition, she has launched Clearview HOPE, a free therapeutic and recreational golf program specifically for women veterans.
Currently, Renee is the LPGA/PGA Head Golf Professional at Clearview Golf Club.
The 2024 Greater Cleveland Sports Awards are being hosted by ESPN Broadcaster/Commentator Holly Rowe. Anyone interested in purchasing tickets for the event can click HERE.
Past recipients have included former Guardians’ franchise greats and Browns legends, as well as high school football coaches in the region. Last year, Glenville's Tedd Ginn Sr. was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
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