ASHEVILLE, NC — Skyview, the country’s oldest Black golf tournament, is teeing off again in Asheville just after the inaugural Biltmore Championship Asheville wrapped up in the same region. The 66th annual event comes with a familiar blend of history, competition, and community purpose.
For more than six decades, Skyview has been a place where Black golfers have gathered to compete and connect. Now run by 96-year-old Matthew Bacoate Jr., the tournament is also trying to secure a stronger future while honoring the players who built its legacy.
How Skyview Began in 1960
Skyview was founded in 1960 by eight men and was originally run by Billy E.P. Gardenhight, a professional with the National Negro Golf Association who later entered the National Black Golf Hall of Fame. In its earliest days, the event was called the Skyview All-Negro Open.
From the beginning, the tournament drew Black golfers from around the country. It was more than a weekend competition; it became a rare and important stage for players who often had limited opportunities elsewhere…