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ASHEVILLE, N.C. — When Matthew Bacoate Sr. was asked how long he had known Billy Gardenhight Sr., who died November 19 at the age of 87, Bacoate paused for a moment and offered a brief response.
“I have known him all of his life. … I’m older than he is,” Bacoate said on November 23.
Both Asheville golf legends were fighting for Black rights in golf since the 1940s. That’s why the Skyview Golf Association was so near and dear to the hearts of both men. The organization, a non–profit formed in 1959 to promote the sport among Black golfers throughout the United States, has sponsored the Skyview Open at Asheville Municipal Golf Course since 1960.
The organization was formed by a group that included the original tournament director, Charles Collette, who served in that role until his death in 1972. The choice for his successor was an obvious one, Bacoate said.
In this photo from 1998, Billy Gardenhight gets ready for a round of golf at Asheville Municipal Golf Course. Photo by Asheville Citizen Times.
“Billy had made quite a name for himself as a player, and when it was time to hire a new president, everyone asked him to take over,” he said. Bacoate said Gardenhight served in that role until 2009, when his son was named president. Billy Gardenhight remained active and served as the program director, Bacoate said, until his death.
Gardenhight’s funeral was scheduled for 1 p.m. on November 24 at Nazareth First Missionary Baptist Church in Asheville.
Fighting for civil rights from a young age
Born September 27, 1934, in Asheville, Gardenheight was a graduate of Stephens-Lee High School and earned an athletic scholarship to attend North Carolina Central University. Gardenhight grew up during the 1940s and 1950s, during the midst of segregation. Black people had a daily struggle for their rights as American citizens.
“Both me and Billy were big in the civil rights movement. We always wanted to fight for equal rights,” Bacoate said. “Asheville Municipal…
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Source : yahoo
