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William Powell - 2004

Athlete and Contributor

MHS 1936 Graduate

  • The first African-American to design, build, own and operate a golf course in the world

  • First Team All-Tri County in football

  • In 1937 he formed the first golf team at Wilberforce University with his brother, Berry

  • Served as Co-captain in 1937 and made history by competing against Ohio Northern University which was th first time that a black college and a white college competed against each othe

  • Inducted into the Canton Negro Old-timers Athletic Association in 1988

  • Recipient of “The Jack Nicklaus Golf Family of the Year” in 1992

  • Recipient of “Cornerstone of Freedom Award” from the Dr. Martin Luther King Commission in 1992

  • Recipient of “Diamond in the Rough Tribute” from the National Golf Foundation in 1996

  • Inducted into the National Black Golf Hall of Fame in 1996

  • Tiger Woods Foundation began awarding two scholarships to Minerva Students annually in the name of William and Marcella Powell in 199

  • Awarded an  Honorary Doctorate from Baldwin Wallace College in humane letters in 1998

  • In 1999, after being denied a PGA membership in 1962, he was awarded a lifetime membership, retroactive to his first denial

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