World Golf Hall of Fame’s Charlie Sifford Award present by Southern Company
March 9, 2022
In November 2021, the World Golf Hall of Fame announced the creation of the Charlies Sifford Award presented by Southern Company to “honor an individual who personifies Sifford’s groundbreaking achievements through perseverance, confidence, respect and adaptability.” The World Golf Hall of Fame then turned to the team at Malcolm DeMille to re-create the likeness of historically great golfer and Medal of Freedom recipient Charlie Sifford for the recipients of this newly established award.
On March 9, 2022 Renee Powell was presented with the inaugural Charlie Sifford Award, and received the handcrafted Malcolm DeMille sculpture of Charlie Sifford raising his club in celebration. The bronze figure stands at 11” tall, is atop a 2” tall black marble base, and engraved in Powell’s honor.
Renee Powell competed as a member of the LPGA from 1967-1980, and played in more than 250 tournaments. All the while demonstrating resilience amidst obstacles of racial adversity and segregation. Following her time competing in the LPGA, Powell served as the head PGA/LPGA professional at the Clearview Golf Club—a club established by her father, William Powell, in 1946. Clearview Golf Club was the first U.S. golf course designed, built, owned and operated by an African American. It’s non-profit Clearview Legacy Foundation focuses on education through golf, to reach youngsters, minorities, seniors, troubled individuals, women military veterans, and those with mental and physical challenges. And in 2011, Powell launched the Clearview H.O.P.E. (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere) a cost-free, year-round therapeutic and recreational golf program specifically for women veterans—continuing to dedicate her life to making golf a sport for all.
The team at Malcolm DeMille is privileged to be a part of a principled award, and congratulates Renee Powell for her hard work, grit, and determination. We look forward to creating the Charlie Sifford Award for future recipients for years to come.
