Honoring Golf Legend William “Bill” Wright

Bill Wright was the first African American to win a United States Golf Association (USGA) event, winning the 1959 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. Bill was a graduate of Franklin High School and went on to play college golf at the Western Washington University (Western Washington College of Education), winning the 1960 National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Men's Golf Championship individual title. Mr. Wright was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Golf Association Hall of Fame in 2013. He was a fixture with Fir State Golf Club and Jefferson Golf Course. He broke the color barrier of American Golf and should be appropriately honored at his home course, Jefferson Golf Course.
The Bill Wright Recognition committee proposes:
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Renaming the Jefferson Park Golf Course and facilities to The William “Bill” Wright Golf Complex at Jefferson Park.
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Creating a permanent memorial to Bill Wright within and in front of the “Bill Wright Clubhouse”.
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Initiating a capitol campaign for a memorial installed by the 65th anniversary of Mr. Wright’s APL win, October 10, 2024.










