When it comes to Black history in Spokane, it’s easy to assume that this corner of the Pacific Northwest pales in comparison to other hubs of Black culture. Yet for decades, powerful markers of Black solidarity have existed here. One such example is the Pine State Golf Club, founded in 1976.
“It started out with several of the Black men around here in Spokane – Larry (Roseman) and Billy Poindexter, Roscoe Dykes,” shared Yolanda Everette-Neufville, club historian. “They wanted to play golf, and the only place that would allow them to golf was Indian Canyon.” When racial discrimination limited access to most courses, Pine State became an act of resistance.
Since then, Pine State has grown through nearly five decades of deepening cultural connections. From its annual Juneteenth tournament – now in its 49th year – to Easter egg hunts, coat drives, scholarships and partnerships with Black churches, it has remained a hub of intergenerational connection. In 2023, the club rebranded and reorganized with new leadership to revitalize its presence and ensure its legacy continues.
Today, a younger generation is ushering in Pine State’s next chapter. “People say, ‘Y’all are still around?’ Yes, we’re still here – and we’re coming back strong.”
“My vision for Pine State is that we’re not just a little dot on the map,” Everette-Neufville shares. “We’re going to be the big dot again. We’re going to be an oak tree – with deep, strong roots – and nothing will be able to tip us over.”
Pine State Golf Club serves as both a refuge and a reminder for Black Spokane. In a city where visibility often feels scarce, the club creates space for belonging and celebration.
Welcoming golfers of all skill levels, the focus isn’t on perfection–it’s on connection.
“We’re not pros,” Everette-Neufville laughed. “Some of us are out here chasing balls in the woods. But it’s not about being perfect – it’s about community, laughter, and just being your authentic self.”
Pine State also maintains ties with Black golf clubs nationwide, participating in national tournaments and building a wider network of connection and solidarity–echoing the spirit of the Green Book era, where safe spaces and shared culture made travel and fellowship possible for Black communities.
“What I love about our club,” Everette-Neufville said, “is that we didn’t wait to be given an opportunity. We created our own. And we’re still going. Nothing is stopping us.”
With a commitment to legacy, Pine State is more than a golf club – it’s a foundation of identity, pride, and progress. As Everette-Neufville puts it: “Too many outside forces try to divide us. But we say–this is us. We’ve got each other. And we walk it, not just talk it.”
Billy Poindexter, a longtime Spokane resident, has been part of Pine State since its heyday. It all started with a call from a friend.
“I was into baseball. I didn’t know anything about golf,” he says. “But my friend called and said he was playing down the street. I told him, ‘Ain’t no ballfield up there.’ He said, ‘No, a golf course.’ I said, ‘You sure?’ He said, ‘Just come ride with me for two days.’ So I did.” When he arrived, he was stunned. “Everybody looked like me. I said, ‘Where’d all these brothers come from?’ I’d never seen anything like it.” He was instantly drawn in. “I thought, I’m a baseball player, I can do this. But it took me 10 tries to hit that first ball on the driving range. After that, I said, ‘I’m gonna master this game.’ ”
He began inviting others from the baseball world. “Some of them never played, just paid dues. But eventually they started picking it up. Next thing you know, we’re back up to 30 members.”
Poindexter, who held multiple leadership roles over the decades, including vice-president, remembers when the club joined the Northwest Golf Association and competed in the legendary “Shootout,” a regional tournament for Black golfers from Portland, Seattle, and beyond. “We were the only Black golf group in Eastern Washington. Shootout started in May – we played at the same course in Umatilla for 20 years. It was our thing.” He even recalls meeting the legendary Bill Russell. For Poindexter, Pine State’s magic is simple: “It’s the camaraderie. It’s the community. This game is ours too.”
Leon Smith, current president of Pine State Golf Club, has served in the role for the past two years. “I’ve been in this for the fellowship – for the brotherhood and all of us getting together,” he says. “We really take a lot of pride in our communities, and we try to bring our communities together.”
His vision centers on growth and impact. “We want to get more people in our community involved with the club and involved with each other,” he explains. “Through golf, through our kids – that’s a big thing. We really stress bringing in our juniors and helping them come up. It’s about using the club to help serve the community even more.”
Pine State Golf Club remains a living legacy of self-determination, community, and cultural preservation.
Learn more about the club by going to www.pinestategolf.org.