Twice as Good: The Story of William Powell and Clearview, the Only Golf Course Designed, Built, and Owned by an African American

by Richard Michelson, Eric Velásquez (Illustrator)

To nine-year-old Willie Powell, there was no prettier sight than the smooth grass lawns of Edgewater Golf Cource. He had been so eager to see them that he'd run seven miles to where the course was situated outside of town. But his elation didn't last. When he asked two golfers if they'd teach him the game, one man responded by saying, 'Son, didn't anyone ever tell you that your kind is not welcome here?' In the 1920's there was no place for Willie, or any black person, on a golf cource. It was a game for white people only, at least in America. But his enthusiasm for golf and his belief in what he knew to be right drove Willie Powell to change that, and to change minds.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Sports, African American, Childrens, Biography Memoir

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 2012

Reviews

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an inspirational tale this is! As the subtitle explains, this is the true story of William Powell and Clearview, the only golf course designed, built, and owned by an African American.

William Powell, the grandson of slaves, grew up in Ohio. Somehow he got enamored of golf at an early age although he had never played the game. After school, he used to run all the way to a course seven miles away just to hang around.

He asked to play, but was told that “his kind” was not welcome there. Eventually though, one of the men let young Willie caddy for him. He worked twice as hard as the other caddies, because he knew that, as his principal told him,

If you are going to get ahead in this world, Willie, you can’t be as good as the white children; you have to be twice as good.”

Eventually, the white doctor for whom his mother worked offered to teach him how to play. He loved it, and practiced incessantly. In high school, he was the captain of the school’s team. To compete in the local junior tournament, he hitchhiked twenty-one miles to play, and finished third.

He went to college, went to war, came home and got married. And he didn’t stop working hard. He wanted to buy a big farm and put a golf course there, but the local bank wouldn’t help him, even though he was as eligible for a GI loan as the white soldiers.

Eventually, two local black doctors helped him, and he built Clearview Golf Club mostly himself during the day, before going to his night job as a security guard. It first opened with nine holes in April, 1948, and expanded to 18 in 1978. He declared that anyone could play there, no matter what color.

When his little girl Renee turned three, he gave her a small golf club. She entered her first amateur tournament at age 12 and won her division. Three years later, she had 30 youth tournament trophies!

William Powell died in 2009 at age 92, living to see his daughter Renee become the second African-American woman ever to play on the U.S.-based LPGA Tour. Currently she is head professional at her family's Clearview Golf Club in East Canton, Ohio.

Evaluation: This is such a great story! Reading about how hard Powell worked to realize his dreams, you can’t help but admire his determination and outlook. And what a great ending with not only his own achievements, but those of his daughter Renee! The warm oil paintings of award-winning illustrator Eric Velasquez are a perfect complement to this book.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Growing up in Minerva, Ohio, young Willie Powell fell in love with the game of golf. But when he asked to play, he faced discrimination in the segregated golf courses of the time. Reduced to caddying for the white players, he shouldered their golf clubs and watched their swings. After a local doctor for whom his mother worked gave him his own set of clubs, he practiced whenever he could but dealing with whites only restrictions throughout high school. When he served his country in the military, he found that the Europeans he met were far more open to the idea of a black golfer than the citizens in his own country. Returning home to the same discriminatory attitude, Willie bought the land that he would fashion into the Clearview Golf Club where "the only color that matters...is the color of the greens" (unpaginated). Clearly, he took to heart the early advice he received that he would need to be twice as good as the white children to succeed. An afterword tells the rest of Powell's story, describing his daughter Renee's fascination with the sport her father loved so dearly and noting that Clearview is a National Historic Site. This is an inspiring story detailing one man's determination to achieve his dreams no matter what the odds might be. Readers will be reminded that racial discrimination was not limited to the South. The illustrations reveal Willie's emotions on every page. Add this one to a civil rights text set since it demonstrates another avenue in which change was wrought.

[Bhebden Hebden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelson, R. (2012). Twice as Good. Ill. E. Velasquez. Sleeping Bear Press. Grades 1-4.
Read digitally using Hoopla . I discovered Twice as Good during my weekly browsing session at my local public library prominently displayed in the biography section. William Powell’s story is one of perseverance. Discrimination kept him from playing the game he loved as an African American 3rd grade boy, who could only enter a golf course as a caddie during 1920’s and 30’s. Willie went to college and married his sweetheart, and soon was drafted into the army during WWII. He served in England where he was politely received on the golf courses he played during his time off where, “Nobody seemed to think golf was a game for whites only.” Upon returning home, the same golf course restrictions he had known before the war continued post war. He was determined to construct his own public course that would welcome all who desired to play the game. His vision came true in 1946 when he opened the Clearview Golf Club. To date, William Powell’s course remains the only one designed, built and owned by an African American in the United States. Velasquez brings to life the challenges William faced through his artistic representation of rejection and determination through his stirring paintings enveloped in greens, blues, and earth tones. The author’s notes include William Powell’s death in 2009, at age 92, and receiving the PGA distinguished Service Award, which is the association’s highest award.

Twice as Good is well suited for instruction related to societal injustices and discrimination, great American successes and contributions, an introduction to award winning children’s biographies, and a study of biographical elements.

Awards:
2013 Harlem Book Fest Phillis Wheatley Award
2012 USA Best Book Award Finalist Children’s Picture Book−Hardcover Non-Fiction
2012 Parents Choice Award
2012 Gelett Burgess Award

[Bayne Marrs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written biography of William Powell, the first African-American man to own a golf course. Many children know the story of Jackie Robinson, but it is important to give them information on other trailblazers in sports. I was unfamiliar with Powell's story before reading this book, I am glad that I read it because his story of hard work and perseverance is uplifting.
2012
Biography

[Lupe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know anything about the Powell family but this book is very informative and inspiring for both Blacks and girls. This book also includes "The Rest of the Story" with information about Renee Powell and the Clearview Golf Course.

[LukeG · Rating 5 out of 5]

You don’t need a long book to teach a valuable lesson. Exactly what you find here.

Shocked to find out that as late as the 90’s, at the start of Tiger’s meteoric rise, the PGA of America was had segregated Hall of Fames.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring true story.

[Susan Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about an African American wanting to play golf. (Library)

[Lizzy Herda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twice as Good is an inspirational story about a young African American who grows up being told he cannot be on the golfing greens because of his skin color. He does anything to be able to be on the golf course, even carrying around white men’s clubs. Soon he becomes invited to go golfing as a reward of all his hard work. Having a family, he realizes he wants his children to be able to have the same opportunities and equality with golf. He decides to create his own golf course and allow all skin colors to attend to his course. Having a baby girl he inspires her to be better than the boys and the best golfer she can possibly be.
I had a mix of emotions when I read this book in the sense that you could see real life examples of racism and segregation. Yes you learn about these topics in class, but people able to learn about it through a personal interaction makes it more meaningful. This story also showed the devotion this young man had as he was trying to work past the color of his skin.
I would use this in my classroom during the month of February for black history month. This way you can bring up segregation and racism in a relatable way, so that your students can see the real life interactions that were made during this period.

[Christina Getrost · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story of the man who designed and built Clearview, and how he fought racist attitudes all his life. He started out as a caddy, then by high school became a great golfer, and competed in his first junior tournament despite prejudicial attitudes of the golf course judges. When drafted in World War II and stationed in England, he played golf and enjoyed the unbigoted freedoms there. Wanted to become a professional golfer, but could not catch a break, not being allowed to golf at golfing clubs where he couldn't become a member. Instead, he worked in a factory while getting a loan from local black doctors to buy land and create a golf course where no one would be turned away to play, as he had been so many times. Story is good, told matter-of-factly, emphasizes that he followed his philosophy to always work twice and hard and be twice as good as the white people who didn't want him to succeed. Inspiring story. Illustrations are nice, realistic colored pencil drawings.

[MaryKathryn Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book shows that hard work can pay off and if you really want something you have to work for it just like William Powell did. Its a great book and shows that despite discrimination you have to follow your dreams.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring story about following your dreams, breaking down barriers, and believing in yourself. William Powell loved golf, but he was black and was not allowed to play at golf courses in the United States in the 1930s. He went to war and in his free time, he played golf in England. He returned to America and bought land to build a golf course for all people. It was successful and is a National Historic Site. Pictures look aged and suit story well. Great to share with elementary students learning about civil rights.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't expect to enjoy a biography of a golfer this much, but this is a pretty outstanding book. The biography is well-paced, humanized, full of ambition and concientiousness. The story of William and his family is as engaging as the racist atmosphere and interactions with other golfers. The illustrations are beautiful and draw the reader right into the story. Highly recommended for all picture book biography collections, grades 1-2 and sports collections in need of something more than football and basketball stories.

Highly recommended.

[Yapha · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Powell loved golf and didn't let anything stand in his way. He became a star golfer at a time when African-Americans weren't allowed on many golf courses, and eventually built his own course. His daughter went on to become a professional golfer as well. An inspirational story! Highly recommended for grades 2-6.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a lifetime of being denied access to golf courses, even after serving the USA during WWII, Will Powell fulfills his dream to design and create a golf course open to all, in Clearview in Canton, Ohio.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Age: K - 2

William Powell encapsulates the true power of determination and passion from his time spent as a caddy on the gold course to his creation of the first golf course designed, built, and owned by an African American.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm in love with picture book biographies in the classroom, and this is a great one. I'd never heard of William Powell or Clearview until this, but this is definitely going to be circulating through our classrooms - great story.

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are black or a girl, then you must twice as good to get head. William Powell learns how to play golf even though blacks are not allowed ont he golf course. He grows up to design, build, and own the first golf course by an African American.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent portrait of a man who overcame racial barriers and pursued his dream. Great illustrations.

[Elise · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Twice as Good," the true story of William Powell and his effect on Black golfers, is incredibly inspiring, and serves as a beautiful reminder of the power of determination and vision.

[Warren-Newport Public Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Twice as Good," the true story of William Powell and his effect on Black golfers, is incredibly inspiring, and serves as a beautiful reminder of the power of determination and vision. (Elise)

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a children’s book that tells the story of William “Bill” Powell, a man who designed a golf course. I especially enjoyed the full color illustrations.

💥 Recommended.
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[Gwen Bumpers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful story!

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

My dad would have appreciated this book about golf.