When William “Bill” Powell encountered racial discrimination on the golf course after returning home from World War II, he decided to build his own place to play, one where people of all colors would be welcome. In 1946, he established Clearview Golf Club in East Canton Ohio: “America’s Course.” The only course designed, built, owned and operated by an African American, Clearview was named a National Historic Site by the U.S. Department of the Interior in 2001.
References:
- Course History. Clearview Golf Course.
Video:
- “Clearview Golf Club: William Powell built first African-American owned and operated course in US,” Scott Newell, YouTube video, 5:52, August 10, 2009.