Welcome to your
NATIONAL BLACK GOLF HALL OF FAME
THE BILL WRIGHT GOLF COMPLEX
“Congratulations to the trailblazer Bill Wright and his family on this incredible honor! Having a golf course named after him is a testament to his remarkable contributions to the game and the legacy he built. His passion for golf and his dedication to the sport have left an enduring legacy that will continue to inspire all who visit the course bearing his name.”
Seattle Parks and Recreation, in collaboration with the Beacon Hill Council, First Day Golf Club, and the family of Bill Wright, has officially renamed Jefferson Golf Course as the Bill Wright Golf Complex. Wright, a pioneering African American golfer, made history in 1959 by becoming the first Black player to win a United States Golf Association (USGA) event at the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.
“Bill Wright was a true pioneer in American golf, breaking down barriers and advocating for inclusivity for African Americans and people of color,” said Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. “I’m proud that the Bill Wright Golf Complex will not only honor his talent on the very course where he learned as a teen, but will also carry on his legacy of unity, courage, and determination in our community.”
Born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1936, Bill Wright was the only child of Bob and Madeline Wright. His mother was a schoolteacher, and his father, a postman, shared a passion for golf with Bill. When Wright was 12, the family moved to Portland, Oregon, and later settled in Seattle. Wright attended Seattle’s Franklin High School, where he played basketball and helped lead the Quakers to the state championship in 1954. His father introduced him to golf at Jefferson Park, the same course that now bears his name. It was here that future Masters champion Fred Couples would later hone his skills.
The renaming holds great importance for Wright’s family, particularly his nephew, Derek Liddell, who worked tirelessly to secure this recognition for his uncle.
“This event was extremely important—probably, for me, it’s hard to say, but it might be the most impactful thing I’ve been involved with in my life,” says Liddell. “The future will now have a better opportunity because of the actions we took over the last three years to get this renamed. I think it’s more about just looking forward and how the future will be able to enjoy parks that are named after our heroes.”
