Golfing legend Renee Powell puts name to University of St Andrews trophy

Renee Powell, one of the most respected women golfers of the last 50 years, has lent her name to the University of St Andrews’ Ladies Invitational.

The annual tournament, which will now be known as the Renee Powell Cup, brings together young, up and coming women golfers from around the world. Organised by the University of St Andrews Ladies Golf Club (pictured above), the competition will take place in St Andrews this weekend (3 and 4 September).

Renee Powell, one of the first African American women to play on the Ladies Professional Golf Association’s (LGPA) Tour, began her professional career in 1967, playing in more than 250 tournaments around the world. Since 1980 she has taught golf in the United States, Africa and Europe and is currently head professional golfer at Clearview Golf Course in Ohio.

‌Renee is known for her work to attract more young female golfers to the sport and in 2008 she was awarded an honorary doctorate of law by the University of St Andrews (pictured below left). Renee also gave a guest lecture at the University about the ways sport can positively impact young people’s lives, and supported the ladies golf tournament in person last year.

Speaking ahead of the event, she commented: “I’m just amazed at the work that the Ladies from the University are doing, building and growing the game of golf with young ladies and young girls from all over.

“I am just thrilled; I was sort of shocked at first to hear that they were changing the name… I’m very honoured and very flattered and I want to help make it as special as I can.”

The Renee Powell Cup will bring together 30 school- and university-aged golfers, including 4 players selected from the University’s Ladies team. Annually, the President of the University of St Andrews Ladies Golf Club has the honour of planning and organising this tournament alongside the committee. Annie Rickard, this year’s President, has included a third round of golf – with the introduction of the third round, the competition is now eligible to become a World Amateur Golf Ranking event.

The second-tier competition will play for the Carol Kaufman Shield, named in honour of Carol Kaufman, Chair of the US Women’s Open, who has supported golf at the University for many years.

Annie commented: “This tournament encourages girls from across the world to get together and enjoy the game with new friends, and what better place to do this than the home of golf. We are delighted that Renee and Carol have both put their names to the tournament and we are very excited to welcome the competitors to St Andrews this September.

“A big thanks to the University of St Andrews Ladies golf committee who have all worked so hard throughout the year to make this tournament happen.”

Spectators are welcome to watch the tournament; no tickets are required. For more information about the Renee Powell Cup, visit the 2016 tournament web page.

Note to editors

The Renee Powell Cup will take place over the New, Eden and Strathtyrum courses at the St Andrews Links, starting at 12pm on Saturday and 07:12 on Sunday.

About golf at the University of St Andrews:

The University’s ladies team won silver at the European University Championships last month (23 July 2016) in Zagreb, Croatia.

Over the past year, almost 200 female students have taken part in golf lessons at the University, as part of the golf team’s aim to encourage students to take up the sport and earn a handicap before they graduate.

The mixed team recently won the 2015 Scottish Students Golf Premier League (November 2015).

Issued by the University of St Andrews Press Office. Contact 01334 46 7310/2530 or email [email protected].