“Ladies competing were Patricia Morgan, Veronica Hines, Louise Payne and Ann Symonds. “The Bermuda Ocean View team consisted of Larry Brangman, Kenneth Ford, Kavon Trott, Fred Stovell, Glen Baisden, David Patterson, Bill Pitt and Frank Morgan. “On August 20th and 21st, the team of 12 from Ocean View competed against the team from Clearview. “It is ironic how after all these years the two courses have been brought together to form and initialize their own history by having this golf event. “With this in mind, both the resilience of the Powell’s and the Ocean View founders persevered and survived completing two golf courses at different parts in the world to be remembered for all times. “Both courses were established after World War 2 and ironically the motto of both was to have a golf course where “all people” could play. Ocean View was called a “cow pasture” and the members would work the course with their hand tools and very limited funds and resources. “They too were denied countless times but it never deterred them from continuing the fight. Erskine Simons, Bill Pitt Sr, and George Lowe had to rise above with determination and dignity in order to secure a place for people of color to play golf on the island. “Ocean View Golf Club was also founded during a time of difficult circumstances for people of color here in Bermuda. “2016 marked the 70th anniversary of the golf course and was very fitting that Bermuda would have a group travel to the course to commemorate the occasion. In addition, Renee was the second African American LPGA player on tour. “The family have received countless awards, recognitions and honors for what they have accomplished over the years particularly with junior, veterans and women programs. Dr Powell was inducted into the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame and amongst all of the distinctions given to the family, Renee was inducted in the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, Honorary member – first African American woman. “As like her father, Renee had to rise above prejudices to become the phenomenal person who she is today. Today, Renee serves as golf professional and his son Lawrence is the golf course superintendent. “The first nine holes opened in 1948, on what used to be a dairy farm. It is the only golf course in the United States designed, built, owned and managed by an African American, and is added to the National Register of Historic Places. “Clearview Golf Course was founded in 1946 by Dr William Powell, father of Renee. Discrimination and violence was spread to all facets of life including sports. It was a time of hostility when civil rights tensions were rising and coming to a head. “Both were founded in the early 1940’s during a time of deep segregation which created many challenges that were overcome. It was based on the significant parallel of the history of the two courses. Earlier this month, a golf match took place at Clearview Golf Course in Canton, Ohio between Bermuda’s Ocean View Golf Club and Clearview Golf Course, with a team from Bermuda heading out to mark the 70th anniversary of the golf course, which is the only golf course in the United States designed, built, owned and managed by an African American.Ī spokesperson said, “This event was talked about since 2010 when the organizers profound LPGA golfer Renee Powell and President of the Ocean View Golf Club Cheryl-Lynne Thompson came together to discuss how the two courses might engage in a match.
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