Black Mountain's Past
How the Swannanoa Valley’s most celebrated locals brought golf and the ‘world’s longest hole’ to Black mountain
Wendell Begley
Guest contributor
The Valley Echo
August 8, 2024
Upon driving by the Golf Course a few years back, I had camera in hand with thoughts of taking a few “springtime” pictures showcasing the Town’s first residential development, “Spring Hills.” However, after entering the development and looking across the fairways (Back Nine) at the many golfers enjoying the beautiful spring weather, I decided the Golf Course would be a more timely subject. Also, what a great opportunity to highlight a photograph featuring the town’s iconic “Back Nine” and “The Dome” (Craggy Dome, the mountain on the right, Great Craggy Range) in a featured photo. To finish out this week’s series, I have integrated a few other sketches of times past featuring some of our Valley’s most memorable families.
The Black Mountain Golf Course ... How It All Began
To the best of my knowledge, the beginnings of the Black Mountain Golf Course took place 91 years ago at a Town Board meeting held on December 4, 1933. At that gathering, the Board outlined a bold “recreation plan” which included the purchase of lands from the Methodist Colony (near today’s Lake Tomahawk). Upon acquisition of the particular real estate, the town intended to design a community clubhouse, lake and golf course. At that historic meeting, approximately $2,500 was appropriated to build a nine-hole golf course.
The Early 1960s and Building the Back Nine
I have included two rare photographs documenting the back nine ground breaking in 1962 and the formal dedication in 1964. The 1962 picture (above) included, left to right, Marcus Begley (my Dad), A. F. “Bub” Tyson, Jr., both Members of the Town Board; R. T. Greene, Town Manager; Ross Taylor, Golf Pro and Superintendent; Dr. T. W. Wilson with WFGW; Dr Billy Graham wielding shovel; Don Bailey, WFGW Announcer; Gordon Greenwood, owner of The Black Mountain News and R. B. “Dick” Stone, Town Mayor. Board Member, W. L. Wheelon was absent when the celebrated picture was taken. Upon completion in 1964, the opening and ribbon cutting ceremonies were held on Friday, May 15, 1964, at 10 am.
On hand for the inaugural event (above) was our beloved, world-famous evangelist and neighbor, Dr. Billy Graham (speaking at microphone). The opening of the new nine-hole course was on property formerly owned by Cora Dula and the Goodson estate. Building the additional nine holes was done at little to no expense to the taxpayers. Under a special plan worked out by the Mayor and Board, 10 new home sites (owned by the town) bordering the golf course were put up for public auction to cover the cost. One of the most endearing superlatives made possible with the construction of the Back Nine was Hole 17. It was 745 yards in length and a par 6. As a result, it was designated by the Town as the “World’s Longest Hole.” In reflecting back to those years, I heard Dad say many times that, had it not been for Dr. Graham’s involvement and patient role in working out the sale agreement between the owners and the Town, the Back Nine would not have happened.
The 1934 Graduating Class of Swannanoa High School
I would guess most of these folks were born about 108 years ago in 1916. I have included their maiden and married names. Members of the 1934 Class were: Mascot, Mary Morgan McMahan; front row, left to right: Marietta McFalls Hinkle, George K. Morgan, Helen Branch Roberts, Blanche Cole Ledbetter, Marie Cole Hemphill, Doris Gant Jolly, Gladys Dillingham, Ganier Shope Dillingham and Katherine Shuford Desword. Second row: Frieda Harper Williams, Annabelle Ballard Davis, Eulala Brooks Smith, James H. Parks, Sue Patton Buchanan, Delos J. Aldrige, Irene Vess Silvers, Roy J. Lloyd Wolfe, and Signa McCall Marno. Third row: Beulah Creasman Gilliam, Helen Reeves Nix, Annise Fortune Richardson, John P. Jones, and Thurman B. McPherson. Fourth row: Ethel King, Paul E. Patton, Earl Jolly, Lester Ballard, Sr., Arthur M. Brown, and Charles B. Connelly. Absent when the picture was made were Mary Bradley Burleson, Rosa Ida Buchanan Pickens, Vivoleen Ray Patton, William Barnwell, Robert B. Bartlett and William Perry Glass.
1930 Employees of the Black Mountain Hosiery Mill
This 94-year-old picture was taken on September 26, 1930, at the side of the former plant (today’s Old McKoy Building & present-day location of Que Sera Restaurant) on Black Mountain Avenue. The founder and general manager was B. R. “Ben” Hunter. Those folks in the picture, first row (l-r) were: Mamie Rhymer Craig, unknown, Forest Austin, and Clifford Odom. Row against the railing, up steps, Mrs. Elliott, Mina Sneed, Myrtle Hudgins Atkins, Evelyn Byrd Goodson, Jane Pressley Harrison, unknown, and Fleta Sneed Brown. Row against the building, up steps: Lottie Byrd, Katheryn Morgan, Mrs. Cline Jaydern, Alma Odom, Mrs. Bulo Bartlett, Mae Burnette, Mrs. Walter Davis and Miss Ada Rollins.
Well, that is about all the local History (dating back to the 1930s) I can fit on the “news page” this week ... Cheers
Black Mountain Savings Bank
P.O. Box 729 • 200 East State Street • Black Mountain, NC 28711 • 1.828.669.7991
“Established in 1908, We are One of the 47 Oldest FDIC Insured Banks in America” (that’s Out of 4,620 FDIC Insured Banks) …Too, We are the Town’s Oldest Continuing Business and the Only “Community Owned Bank.” We Have Been Taking Savings Deposits and Making “Local Home Loans” for 116 Years”
Copyright: M. Wendell Begley, wendell@blackmountainsavings.com, series 851, VE20, August 9, 2024
