North Carolina community remembers Billy Gardenhight, Skyview Golf Association leader, activist

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.

“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 Golf Course was an all-white course that allowed only whites as players. We would caddie for the white players and then we’d sneak back onto the course later that evening to practice and play until someone ran us off.”

The fight continued through their teenage years and into adulthood. In 1957, Gardenhight took his fight to court.

“He loved golf so much that he wanted to work at the golf course, but they wouldn’t hire him because he was Black. So he sued Buncombe County in order to gain employment, and he won,” Bacoate said. “A couple of years later, Collette and seven other gentlemen formed the Skyview Golf Association.”

Along with fighting racial injustice, Gardenhight also fought through health issues, losing both legs to circulation problems.

“After his first amputation, he was fitted with a prosthetic and still performed his duties as director,” Bacoate said. Gardenhight was in the process of being fitted for a prosthetic for his other leg just before he died, Bacoate said.

“He worked right up until the end,” he said.

Remembered for kindness, dedication

Bacoate, who served as an adviser for the Skyview Golf Association, said he met weekly with Gardenhight to update him on the association, including just six days before Gardenheight’s death.

“He went into the hospital on the 14th, and I had met with him the day before,” Bacoate said.

Billy Gardenhight looks on during the 61st Skyview Open held at Asheville Municipal Golf Course in 2021. Asheville Citizen Times

Despite his declining health, Gardenhight made it to the golf course as much as he could, including the most recent Skyview Open this past July.

“Billy was there every day,” Bacoate said. “He was there four to six hours, making sure things were going smoothly and sharing stories with other golfers.”

His presence was felt by the golfers during the 61st annual tournament, which had a field of 50 golfers for its first event, has included 29 Black golfers who later were admitted to the PGA and had its largest field this year, Bacoate sad. During his weekly updates to Gardenhight, Bacoate got to share the best news yet prior to that tournament.

“Callaway Golf became a partner for the tournament, and I was happy to share that with Billy on one of my updates to him,” said Bacoate, who is now the Skyview Open’s marketing administrator.

One of the major reasons Callaway decided to become a partner was a documentary film made by Paul Bonesteel titled “Muni.” It was a project that gained national recognition, and Bonesteel said it was an idea that Gardenhight was thrilled about.

“Billy was such a kind man to me. He embraced the film I was making from the first phone call and we became good friends in the process,” said Bonesteel, director of Bonesteel Films. “I loved his tenacity to keep playing golf until he simply could not physically do it, and he genuinely loved every moment he was out there. He ‘walked the walk,’ in so many ways, as a leader in the community.  He was sincere when he said ‘Christ first, family second, and then golf.’ His love of golf shows you how much he loved the other two.”

Gardenhight has cemented his legacy in the golfing world and was an inspiration to Black golfers nationwide.

Pete McDaniel, a former Hendersonville Times-News sports editor, said Gardenhight had a major influence on him and his career path in which he went on to become a senior writer at Golf Digest. On the morning of Gardenhight’s death, McDaniel posted a tribute to him on Facebook.

Photo: Keith Jarrett

“We mourn the loss of Billy Gardenhight, who is no doubt teeing it up in heaven today,” McDaniel wrote. “Billy was a champion on the golf course and in life — a legend who influenced the lives of many, including a young wannabe golfer who needed guidance on and off the course. He shot it to me straight back then, motivating me to work hard in becoming a better player and person worthy of success. The advice must have penetrated my hard head because my grind eventually paid off, which made a lot of folk back home in Asheville proud, including Billy G.

“Billy will be remembered for many things not the least of which is his love of the game and activism on behalf of minorities seeking inclusion in it. I, personally, will remember him as a loyal friend and supporter. My condolences to his family and the many folk whose lives he positively impacted. Rest in peace, my brother. Thanks for everything. Hope to see you on heaven’s first tee someday.”