Other golfers who be awarded an honorary degree include Bobby Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Nick Faldo, and Charlie Sifford.
Powell played 13 years on the LPGA Tour before retiring in 1980 to become a golf instructor in the United States, Africa and Europe. She is the head pro at Clearview Golf Course in Ohio, the only U.S. course that is designed own and operated by a black person — in this case, her father, William Powell.
It will be Powell's third trip to the home of golf.
"When I walk around St. Andrews, I realize how very fortunate I am to have been taught the game of golf and to play to such a level that has allowed me the opportunity to travel to St. Andrews," she said.
HELPING HAND: Greg Rita, who caddied for Curtis Strange at consecutive U.S. Open victories and for John Daly when he won the British Open at St. Andrews, got some unexpected financial help while recovering from a brain tumor.
Rita was denied financial assistance from a special caddie fund because he still has assets of his own.
According to Golfweek magazine, four-time major winner Raymond Floyd heard about this and wrote a check for $50,000 to help with medical bills. Rita never worked for Floyd.
"It's the community," Floyd told the magazine. "Golf is a pretty close-knit group. When one has a problem, I feel that it's our responsibility to take care of each other. Even if the caddie fund might have (offered him assistance), I would have done it. It's a tough situation, and when you have the wherewithal to help someone, I think it's important."
SPIN OF THE WEEK: According to the PGA Tour, the EDS Byron Nelson Championship features five players who have won tournaments this year, including Masters champion Trevor Immelman, and 27 of the top 50 in the FedEx Cup standings.
According to The Dallas Morning News, the field includes one of the top 10 in the world ranking.
DIVOTS: Laura Diaz and Nicole Castrale have been invited to play in the CVS Caremark Charity Classic. It's the second straight year that tournament hosts Brad Faxon and Billy Andrade have invited an LPGA team to the exhibition, to be held June 22-24 at Rhode Island Country Club. The tournament has raised more than $10 million for New England charities dedicated to children and families over the last nine years. ... The CN Canadian Women's Open will be played next year at Priddis Greens outside Calgary, where Karrie Webb won her first major at the old du Maurier Classic in 1999. ... The Players Championship will allow free admission to practice rounds for local police and firefighters.
STAT OF THE WEEK: In four tournaments this year, Lorena Ochoa has finished a combined 45 strokes ahead of Annika Sorenstam.
FINAL WORD: "We have our Olympics — we have our major championships. And to add another layer in the Olympics, I think is the wrong thing to do. We need to concentrate on getting more affordable golf for people to play." — Tom Watson.
