PVGA still strong after 60 Years
Roanoke Virginia in the 1950s was a thriving city, fueled by growth in transportation, manufacturing, banking, and many other industries. Like many other cities in the south, Roanoke had social issues with respect to segregation in schools, restaurants, lunch counters and other public places including public golf courses.
African Americans were barred from playing on public golf courses. However a few prominent African Americans sought to make golf available to those who were barred from playing on public golf courses. Thus the inception of Pine Valley Golf Association (PVGA) had its inception.
The oganization was formed October 1959 with the first organizational meeting held at the home of Dr. and Mrs. F.W. Claytor, Natalie Claytor, John Jackson, Henry Whyte, Frank Landers, Lawrence Hamlar and George Long. The first officers of the PVGA were Henry Whyte, president; George Long, Secretary/Treasurer.
The name “Pine Valley” was chosen because a golf course was located in Kingstown and owned by the Claytor Corporation and was in a valley lined with pine trees. At that time the only place Black golfers in the Roanoke area were allowed to play was at the privately owned golf course built by the Claytor Corp. The course was a par-three layout with seven holes and sand greens. In order to play nine holes, golfers had to play two holes twice!
After the initial meeting, the PVGA was on its way to becoming a golf association. By 1960, the membership had grown to 36. During the first year of its existence, the PVGA staged seven golf tournaments. By the early 60’s, membership increased to 78 and by that time, many PVGA members’ skills had improved to the point that they out grew the par-3 course. However, there was nowhere else in the Roanoke Valley they could play. The nearest golf course that would allow Blacks to play was in Winston-Salem, N.C.
By 1964, The Salem Municipal par-three golf course opened. PVGA members had the opportunity to play on a par three course that was longer than the Claytor course. However, PVGA members still could not play on any public 18-hole regulation golf course. The first breakthrough for the PVGA members occurred in 1964 when the Norfolk & Western Railway sponsored a golf tournament at Ole Monterey Gold Course. PVGA members who worked for the railroad were allowed to play this tournament. By 1965, Ole Monterey was opened to the public and PVGA members were allowed to play the course.
In 1966, the PVGA was successful in opening the doors for Black golfers to play at Blue Hills Golf Course. However, once PVGA members were allowed to play on public 18-hole courses, its membership began to dwindle. In 1967, The Arrowwood Golf Course (later changed to Countryside) was built in Roanoke but initially Blacks were not allowed to play there. After an initial meeting between Arrowwood management and representatives of the PVGA, the course was opened to its membership.
By the eighth year of PVGA existence, its members had the opportunity to play at every public course in the area except one, Jefferson Hills. The owner of the golf course promised that he would close the course before he allowed a Black man to play. The PVGA promised that if its members could not play, the course would be closed. Both parties were right, the course was closed.
By the early ‘70s the PVGA continued to enjoy growth again, however, by the late ‘70s and early ‘80s there was a decline in membership. Those still hanging on included such members as the Laws, Curtis, Hamlars, Fulfords, Claytors, Morgans, Henrys, Butlers, Fairfaxs, Colemans, Pendletons, Parks, Jacksons, Thomas, Brooks, Charltons, Landers, Reeves, and Hollands, Franklins, Daniels, Irvings, and Swains.
As the Pine Valley Golf Association moved into the 80’s the “New Breed” golfers arrived on the scene. Included were the Claytors, Twines, Nashs, Richardsons, Childress, Lewis, Rourks, Speaks, Reynolds, Pendletons, Jernigans, Boddies, Leaks, Patricks, Mundys, Williams, Wade and others. When the 1988 “New Breed” along with former members, revived the Pine Valley Golf Association there was a large turnout at the first meeting. After the re-organization, George Daniels was elected president, Gary Lewis, secretary and Phillippe Claytor, treasurer.
Since its revival, PVGA has focused on several goals; Playing golf for fun and enjoyment; developing young golfers through its Junior Golf Program; establishment of the Hall of Fame and tournament competition. Tournaments and trips have been held as far away as Myrtle Beach, S.C.
The lack of opportunity to play in the past has been replaced with the need for growth and development. PVGA states, “Developing young golfers with good character is our goal and playing the game of golf the way it is meant to be played is our pleasure.”
The PVGA continues to grow with new members. Currently the PVGA stated purpose is: “To promote the sport of golf in the minority community, To develop in young minority children an interest in the sport of golf with a collateral objective for increasing participation on scholastic and collegiate golf teams, To sponsor annually, an open league, To sponsor various golf tournaments annually, and PVGA supports charities such as Apple Ridge Farm, an outdoor educational camp for at-risk youth.”
For more info on joining the PVGA call Gary Lewis at (540) 793-2421.
