BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Golfing legend William "Bill" Wright, who arguably had the greatest achievement by a student-athlete in the history of Western Washington University, passed away on February 19 in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 84.
On July 18, 1959, Wright became the first African American to win a tournament conducted by the United States Golf Association (USGA, founded in 1894) as he captured the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship held at the Wellshire Golf Course near Denver, Colorado.
At 23 years of age, Wright, then a senior at Western, not only was the first Black athlete to win the tournament, but also the first African American to compete in the championship since it began in 1922.
In 1960, Wright took medalist honors at the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) National Tournament and in 1968 he was among the first seven inductees into the WWU Athletics Hall of Fame.
Named Western's Golfer of the Century in 1999, Wright also is enshrined in the USGA Museum in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, and is a member of the Pacific Northwest Golf Association Hall of Fame and the African American Golfers Hall of Fame.
"Bill Wright was an iconic representative of Western Washington University, not only from an athletics perspective, but also as a wonderful human being," said WWU Director of Athletics and former Viking Golf Coach
Steve Card. "He impacted the world by breaking the color line in American golf, but beyond that he was an incredible person who touched a lot of people in so many ways."
"We have lost a hero, but the advice and lessons that Bill provided will have a lasting impact for generations to come. The term "great" or "greatest" gets tossed around loosely in the sports world. Bill Wright was a GREAT human being. For me personally, calling him my friend, is one of my life's greatest blessings. My heart goes out to his lovely wife, Ceta, during this difficult time."
Wright made another serious run at the PubLinks title in 1961 at Detroit, Michigan (Rackham Golf Club), losing in the semifinals. But he got over the defeat quickly. Had he won, Wright would have missed his wedding in Chicago the next day. He made it there in time and he and wife Ceta were married for 60 years.
Wright turned pro in the early 1960s but didn't have the financial backing to play the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour full time. He did compete in the 1966 U.S. Open and later played in five U.S. Senior Opens.
Wright made use of his degree in education from Western and taught elementary school for nine years in the Watts district of Los Angeles, including during the race riots of 1965. Later, he began detailing cars before acquiring a leasing business and owning a dealership in Pasadena.
Later Wright was a golf professional for over 25 years at The Lakes Golf Course in El Segundo, California, teaching and mentoring. For nine years (2000-09) he also operated a golf club repair shop there.
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, on April 4, 1936, Wright was the only child of Bob, a mail carrier, and Madeline, a school teacher. He called them his most vital life influences. When Bill was 12, the family moved to Portland, Oregon, and then to Seattle, Washington.
In the 1950s, because of the color of his skin, Wright was not allowed to carry a handicap, play in men's club events or play in the Seattle City Amateur.
In 1954 after finally convincing the city tournament administrator to let them play, Wright and his father were given their first opportunity to compete in the Seattle City Amateur. Bill won and his father finished third. The doors opened and Wright was afforded the opportunity to play in more tournaments.
Wright enjoyed other sports as well, especially basketball. A graduate of Franklin High School, he was a third-team all-state hoops player as a senior in 1954, helping the Quakers win their first state title. Wright also played AAU basketball on a 1956 Westside Ford team that featured the legendary and long-time friend Elgin Baylor.
Wright spent one quarter at the University of Washington before Husky basketball coach Tippy Dye told him he did not want to have the school's first African American player on his team.
Wright transferred to then Western Washington College of Education because he and Dean C.W. "Bill" McDonald, a former UW player who had been Western's basketball coach until 1955, had developed a friendship.
At Western during the 1958-59 season, Wright helped the Viking basketball team to a 14-8 record, averaging a team-high 12.5 points per game to earn second-team all-Evergreen Conference honors.
On Oct. 10, 2009, The First Tee of Greater Seattle, the USGA and the Jefferson Park Golf Course celebrated "Bill Wright Day."
"The game of golf is fortunate to have someone such as Bill Wright," said John Bodenhamer, Executive Director of the Washington State Golf Association at the time. "His integrity is something that is having an impact on the game across the decades."
In May of 2009, Western played host to the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships at the Loomis Trail Golf Club near Blaine.
At the pre-tourney banquet held at the Semiahmoo Resort, Wright was honored and presented with a plaque by then USGA President Jim Vernon commemorating the 50th anniversary of his PubLinks victory.
In January 2017, Wright had a stroke. It took away his ability to speak, and he was bedridden the rest of his life, his wife said in an
article in the Seattle Times.
Soon after his PubLinks victory in 1959, Wright's mother had written a letter to her son.
It began: "TO A CHAMPION: You are now a national champion with all the glory and fanfare, but with all the responsibilities. Responsibilities to yourself and to the world."
Bill Wright accepted and fulfilled those responsibilities.
Carver Memories story on Bill Wright's legacy and golfing accomplishments (click on image to read the story)
