NEWS

News Release 24 June 2008

Old Course visit for pioneer Renee

One of the most respected sportswomen of the last 40 years who has made a significant contribution to the growth of ladies’ golf worldwide made a visit to the Old Course today.

Renee Powell, a pioneering player, coach, educator and goodwill ambassador was joined on the tee by long-time friend Angela Bonallack, Brian Whitcomb, president of the PGA of America, and Kenny Wood of the St Andrews charity New Links. Renee was also accompanied by her 91-year-old father William Powell, making his first visit to Scotland in over 60 years.

Renee Powell commented; ‘ St Andrews is a magical place where golfers from all over the world can meet and enjoy their sport and I am delighted to introduce my father to the town and the Links. Playing golf with my close friends and colleagues makes today even more special for me.’

A player from the age of three, Renee became a US junior champion. She was coached by her father and also received tuition from Patty Berg. She joined the professional tour in 1967, just four years after the appearance of Althea Gibson, becoming the second of only three African American women to have played on the Ladies’ Professional Golf Association tour, which was founded in 1950.

After enjoying a distinguished 13-year career that saw her compete in more than 250 tournaments around the world, Renee dedicated her life to improving the life chances of others through golf. Since 1980 she has taught the sport in Asia, Africa and Europe and is currently head professional at Clearview in Ohio, the only golf course in America to be designed, built, owned and operated by an African American - Renee’s father William Powell.

Renee visited St Andrews last summer to deliver a public lecture called ‘The Many Faces of Women’s Golf’, when she announced her participation in the LPGA sponsored Golf Fore Africa campaign which aids the economic and educational advancement of women in Rwanda. Also on the platform was America’s winning Solheim Cup captain Betsy King and there was a message of support from world number one golfer Lorena Ochoa.

Renee also took the opportunity to detail her involvement with St Andrews based charity New Links, an organisation which sponsors youth visits to St Andrews and a scholarship to the University. Four girls from Renee’s youth programme at Clearview will be visiting the Home of Golf in August.

New Links co-founder Kenny Wood said; ‘Renee is a truly inspirational figure in the world of golf and I am very proud to be associated with her and her family’s project at Clearview.’

Ends

Media contact

Mike Woodcock
Communications Manager
St Andrews Links Trust
01334 466610

E-mail mikewoodcock@standrews.org.uk