[2] Powers attended Memphis State University and played on the golf team from 1967 to 1970.

[6] In 1976, he achieved tour status for the second time but found little success, missing the cut in nearly half the events and earning only $4,000 for the entire season.

On the first hole, Powers hit three shots into the water which led to a quintuple bogey 10.

[10] The following month he was −9 after the first 13 holes of the Chattanooga Classic, another satellite event, threatening to shoot in the 50s for the first time in his career.

[11] Powers maintained full-time status for the next two seasons but had few highlights, only recording a handful of top-25 finishes and missing the majority of cuts.

Returning from a Boys and Girls Club benefit in Nashville, Powers "topped a hill" and had to abruptly stop at an intersection.

[13] The following March, during the Nestle Invitational, his fellow professionals participated in a benefit tournament to help him.

[12] He also received a letter from Ben Hogan, who himself was severely injured in an auto accident in the middle of his career.