Bill Wright (golfer)

Bill Wright
Personal information
Full nameWilliam A. Wright
Born(1936-04-04)April 4, 1936
Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.
DiedFebruary 19, 2021(2021-02-19) (aged 84)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Sporting nationality United States
Career
CollegeWestern Washington College of Education
StatusProfessional
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentDNP
PGA ChampionshipDNP
U.S. Open1966: CUT
The Open ChampionshipDNP

William A. Wright (April 4, 1936 – February 19, 2021) was an American golfer. He was the first African-American to win a USGA event, winning the 1959 U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.[1][2][3]

Wright was born in Kansas City, Missouri and later lived in Portland, Oregon, Seattle, Washington, and View Park in Los Angeles, California .[1] He played college golf at Western Washington College of Education, winning the 1960 NAIA Men's Golf Championship individual title.[1][3]

Bill Wright in the early 1960s with wife Ceta, mother Madeline, and father Bob Wright

Wright turned professional in the early 1960s[3] and played a few PGA Tour events. He played in the 1966 U.S. Open and five U.S. Senior Opens.[1][3]

Trailblazing Black Professional Golfers
Bill Wright, first African American to win a USGA golf championship, photographed with Tiger Woods

References

  1. ^ a b c d Sandomir, Richard (February 25, 2021). "Bill Wright, Who Broke a Color Barrier in Golf, Dies at 84". The New York Times. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  2. ^ Shefter, David (February 24, 2016). "1959: Wright's Breakthrough Win". USGA.
  3. ^ a b c d Madison, Paul (July 2, 2019). "July 18, 1959 – Western's Bill Wright breaks color line in American golf". Western Washington University Vikings.


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