In 1954, two African American golfers attempted to play golf at the City owned golf course, the West Palm Beach Country Club. They were denied. After continued denials to play the public course, the golfers, Dr. Collie and John W. Stevens, retained William Holland, West Palm Beach’s first African American attorney, and filed a lawsuit in 1955. Although the local court ruled against the men, the Appeal Court ruled in their favor holding that because all citizens pay taxes in the City of West Palm Beach, no citizen could be denied the use of City owned property.

The struggle to play the public course did not end there. The West Palm Beach Country Club continued to refuse play to African Americans if they were not part of a foursome. In 1965, a group of dedicated African American West Palm Beach golfers organized a club and named it FAIRVIEW GOLF CLUB. The original founders were: John W. Stevens, David Bennett, Pete Toomes, Howard Stevens, Wilson McDonald and Dan Calloway. Membership in FAIRVIEW was extended to all the African American golfers in the area. The Club grew and by 1969 had a membership of 59 golfers and adopted its first Constitution and By-Laws. The Club obtained 501(c)(3) tax exempt status and in 1996 incorporated.

In 1982, FAIRVIEW became affiliated with the Sunshine State Amateur Golf Association (SSAGA). The Club is one of 13 affiliated chapters throughout southeast Florida. FAIRVIEW hosted its first SSAGA two-day tournament in 1983 and hosts one bi-annually. It is the primary fundraiser for supporting the Club scholarships.

Over time, the Club’s mission and primary objective has been to promote junior golf throughout Palm Beach County and support high school seniors with educational scholarships. FAIRVIEW has awarded dozens of scholarships over the years. Four (4) were awarded in 2019 and Three (3) in 2020. The Club also serves and helps those in need in the community with holiday food baskets and gifts.