America’s oldest Black golf tournament will closely align with the one-year milestone of Hurricane Helene
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The 65th Annual Skyview Golf Tournament, America’s oldest Black golf tournament, will be held on Sept. 22-23 at the Country Club of Asheville. This long-standing community event, with a rich history of competition and social activism, has special resonance this year as it takes place a few days before the one-year milestone of Hurricane Helene.
Despite being relocated from its traditional location, the Asheville Municipal Golf Course, due to ongoing repairs, the continuation of Skyview reflects Asheville’s resilience in the year following Helene. Skyview stands as one of many flourishing community institutions that signify Asheville is open and warmly welcoming visitors.
The Skyview Golf Tournament began in 1960 to establish an opportunity for Black golfers to compete. The 65th Annual Skyview Open is directed by Matthew Bacoate, Jr., an Asheville icon with a long legacy of entrepreneurship and community activism. Mr. Bacoate successfully integrated Star Lanes Bowling Center in 1960, making it the first public-facing business in Asheville to integrate.
Later, Mr. Bacoate founded AFRAM, a manufacturer of personal protection equipment that became the largest Black-owned business in Asheville’s history—and the only Black-owned manufacturing company of its kind in America. At the inaugural Skyview Golf Tournament in 1960, Mr. Bacoate was responsible for promoting the event, creating signs with cardboard and crayons. Now in his 90s, Mr. Bacoate is president of the Skyview Golf Association and remains active in promoting the legacy event.
“This tournament has been a part of my life since its inception 65 years ago. Golfers—many of whom travel from all over the county for this event—join family, friends of the community, and our many awesome members and sponsors who have made Skyview one of the largest tournaments in the South.” Bacoate said.
Since its inception, Skyview has become one of the largest golf tournaments in the Southeast. Over the last 65 years, several participants have gone on to compete and win on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour. Celebrities and professional golfers who’ve competed in the annual tournament include Lee Elder, Jim Dent, Jim and Chuck Thorpe, John Brooks Dendy, Harold Varner III and World Boxing Champion Joe Louis.
“Explore Asheville is honored to serve as a sponsor for the 65th Annual Skyview Golf Tournament, a beloved community event that has launched the careers of countless Black golfers and continues to provide a space for the community to come together,” Vic Isley, President and CEO of Explore Asheville and the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, said.