The Skyview Golf Association was founded and Incorporated in 1960 as a not for profit organization in an effort to promote golf competition among African American golfers throughout the United States. lt was also intended as a stepping-stone to get Black golfers eventually ready for the Professional Golf Associations (PGA) tour. This was the beginning of the long run in summer golf tournaments that still exists today.
The annual tournament is hosted at the Asheville Municipal Golf Course, “Muni” as it is locally referred to, designed by world famous golf course designer Donald Ross. Numerous nationally known African American celebrities and golf professionals have participated in the Skyview Open, such as Lee Elder, Jim Dent, Jim and Chuck Thorpe, John Brooks Dendy and even World Boxing Champion Joe Louis to name a few.
Two friends from the past — Jim Dent and Morris Hatalsky–both former players and
winners on the PGA Tour.
Skyview Golf Association Board of Directors 2017-2018
Lee Shepard
President
Billy E.P. Gardenhight
Vice-President
Mildred Nance-Carson
Assistant Treasurer
Martha Gardenhight
Secretary
Willie Robinson
Charles Williams
Fred Woods
Claude Young
Ivory Walker
Alvin McGahee
Rev. Theodore Pea