History of the Skyview Golf Association Inc.

The Skyview Golf Association was founded and Incorporated in 1959 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization in an effort to promote golf competition among African American golfers throughout the United States. It was also intended as a stepping-stone to get Black golfers eventually ready for the Professional Golf Association (PGA) tour. This was the beginning of the long run in summer golf tournaments that still exists today.

The very first Skyview Tournament was an all African American event with 50 participants. The next year integration took place when Dr. Robert McGuffie a local pediatrician and Walt Gossett, both Caucasian, played. This opened the door for all people to participate. Since that first tournament that had only 50 people, the tournament has grown consistently each year. The largest tournament was in 1975 when 274 golfers participated in the Skyview Open. Today, Skyview is one of the largest tournaments in the southeast.

The Skyview Tournament started with our founder, Charles Collette (pictured above on the left) as the Tournament Director. He served in this capacity from 1959 until 1972. At the time of Mr. Collette’s illness and subsequent death, Billy Gardenhight was asked by the members to take his place as Tournament Director. For the past thirty five years, Billy has served in this capacity. During this time, the tournament has grown and is now a legacy throughout the entire country. This is a legacy that started with Charles Collette, Sam Chavis, Raymond Bland, John Dendy, Sam Quick, Tommy Lee Nance, Boyce Layton, and Jesse G. Ray Sr., the incorporators and directors of the Skyview Golf Association, Inc.