Two LegaciesOne Hundred Twenty Years

September 28, 2026

On Friday and Saturday, October 2nd and 3rd, 2026, the National Black Golf Hall of Fame (NBGHF) and Clearview Golf Club located in East Canton, Ohio will combine to celebrate a combined one-hundred and twenty (120) years of continuous service in the golf industry!

Built by hand by William Powell, an Army veteran, because he was unable to play golf at public courses due to his skin color. Clearview Golf Club · 1946

In 1946, Clearview Golf Club was built by hand by William Powell, a World War II Army veteran, who returned home from serving his country to find himself unwelcome to play golf at public courses due to his skin color. Clearview, now known as “America’s Course,” has been continually operated by the Powell family for eighty (80) years. Powell and his daughter, Renee, are the only Black father and daughter to gain PGA membership, and Powell and his son, Larry, the only Black father and son to receive Golf Course Superintendent Association of America (GCSAA) membership. Then, forty (40) years later, in 1986, Harold Dunovant, the first Black person to graduate from the PGA Business School, created the NBGHF to recognize Black golfers for their skills and others, regardless of race, who brought the game to underserved and unrecognized communities. Since its founding notables as Charlie Sifford, Calvin Peete, Arnold Palmer, Lee Elder and Gary Player have been inducted. Today, the NBGHF continues under the leadership of the founder’s son, Jeff and, together, represent the only Black father and son to be Class A members of the PGA of America.

Together these two industry giants have been a big influence in Black golf participation in the game! Knowing the struggles both groups have faced in surviving in an industry that hasn’t been the most welcoming, Clearview and the NBGHF have established a reputation as true leaders in the industry and are highly respected by the biggest names in golf. William Powell and Harold Dunovant faced the challenges and will leave an indelible mark! Renee and Larry Powell, William’s children and Jeff Dunovant are continuing the legacies started by their parents.