Female pro golfer speaks to Rotarians

Staff report

CANFIELD

Professional golfer Renee Powell spoke recently at a Canfield Rotary Club luncheon meeting. She is the first woman of color to be elected to membership in the PGA of America.

After finishing her touring career, Powell taught golf in Africa and Europe. She is the head pro at the historic Clearview Golf Club in Canton.

On June 20 Rotary District 6650 will sponsor a Golf Challenge at Clearview, 8410 Lincoln St. SE, East Canton. Proceeds will benefit Clearview HOPE, which stands for Helping Our Patriots Everywhere and supports female veterans.

For information on the outing call Powell at 330-488-0404. For information on Clearview HOPE, call Powell, Joyce Bower of Canton Veterans Affairs at 330-489-4600, or Arlinda Mitchell of Akron VA at 330-724-7715, ext. 1252.

This year, Powell and her fellow PGA member Annika Sorenstam were chosen as two of seven women to be granted membership into the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, Scotland. Their induction ended 260 years of male-only membership at St. Andrews.

Powell founded Clearview HOPE, affiliated with PGA Hope and sanctioned by the PGA and Veterans Affairs. The program has developed into a social and therapeutic group that offers not only golf instruction, but also assistance and support for women veterans. It is free for any woman who serves or has served in the military.

Also speaking at the Rotary meeting were Barb Hickman and Mindy Cooper, who participated in the Clearveiw HOPE project. They shared stories of their experience with the program and their military service.