BARBARA TAYLOR
Blog: January-February 2013
Bill Wright–A Fred Astaire with a golf club in his hand. Taking his feet from the golf course to the dance floor!
If you were to go to your computer and enter the name “Bill Wright, golfer” in the Goggle search box, you will find Go-To links like: “Wright & Wronged,’The story of an African American Golfer’; Bill Wright.
Bill Wright became the first African American to win an USGA championship, and the first to compete in the National Amateur Championship; Bill Wright’s APL trophy is showcased at the USGA Museum Hall of Champions in Far Hills N.J.; Bill Wright breaks the color line in American golf; William (Bill) Wright helped the rise of Tiger Woods.” The legend of Bill Wright still grows after 50 years. Bill Wright received his PGA card in 1971.
Now, if you were to flip that coin, as I did, and drive to The Lakes Golf Course in El Segundo California, sit down and have an up close and personal conversation with this man, you will learn who Bill Wright the person truly is when he is not competing in golf tournaments.
Before I get started on what I learned in my conversation with him, let me tell you that you can find Mr. Wright at The Lakes golf course EVERY morning at 6:30 am, either teaching, mentoring golf students, or fine-tuning his game. Not to infringe on his time, I called and made an appointment.
During my conversation with Bill Wright, it was confirmed that he was born in 1936, a rippin native of Kansas City, Mo. In 1948 at twelve years of age, Bill’s parents, Bob and Madeline Wright, both of whom were social golfers and friends of the great Charlie Sifford, made the decision to move to Seattle, WA.
(Above: Bill Wright) Whenever Charlie Sifford visited Seattle to play golf, he was a guest at the Wright’s home on Beacon Hill. Even though Bill Wright’s determination came from his father, his inspiration and focus came from watching Charlie Sifford’s day-long regime of, practicing his chip shots, his putting, or whatever the heck he thought he needed to practice , be it in his parent’s back yard or at the local golf course.
At the age of five, this gifted and talented sports athlete took violin lessons for nine years, but as time would have it, Bill’s passion for sports prevailed. At the age of 14, he earned athletic honors in golf and basketball at Western Washington University. This is when Bill respectfully and quietly laid down his violin, and focused on honing his athletic skills. His honing paid off and without further adieu, Bill quickly ventured out into the world of professional golf.
Bill’s parents taught him at an early age that life doesn’t come with a free ride–especially life in the Wright family. With that in mind, at the age of sixteen, while attending high school and playing sports, Bill went to work for a trucking company cleaning big rig trucks inside and out And, after college, he went to work in auto sales. While working in auto sales, he qualified for five U.S. Seniors’ Opens.
In 1954-55, Bill played basketball with Elgin Baylor and R.C. Owen, for the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), Westside Ford Co. In 1956, R.C. Owens was drafted by the NFL for the San Francisco 49ers, and Elgin Baylor was drafted by the NBA to play for the Minneapolis Lakers. Bill stated that Elgin Baylor tried his best to persuade him to come with him to at least talk to the Lakers about a possible draft as a forward. He said he thought about it for a hot minute, saw visions of guard Oscar Robertson, and told Elgin, “NO thank you man, I think I will continue pursuing golf.”
After taking a break from golf, Bill and his good friend Bill Shack, strong advocates for the “Black Dealers Association” decided they wanted to be owners of a car dealership and were spear headers in approaching Lee Iacocca to open doors for Black auto dealerships. In 1985, after years of fighting the cause, Bill Wright and Bill Shack opened their OWN Lincoln Mercury dealership, in Pasadena California.
Now a professional golfer/entrepreneur, in 2000 Bill Wright opened a sizing and fixing of golf clubs business, operated out of a green vending cart, on the premises of The Lake golf course, called “The Golf Concept”. The cart is still there, however Bill retired from this business in 2009.
Perhaps by now you are saying, “Ok enough already. We get it!! Bill wright is successful at golf, AND entrepreneurship, but can he dance??” Well folks, let me tell you that I am here as a witness to the fact that the man can dance !!!
I attended a 2012 Christmas party at a major hotel here in Cali and at the table directly behind me was Mr. Bill Wright and his lovely wife Ceta. When the music started, the Wrights got up and danced, and danced and danced!! When his wife had had enough dancing, he walked her back to their table, sat her down, and without missing a beat, this 76-year-old man swirled around with the fluidity of motion of an “In living color” Fred Astaire, took his feet back to the dance floor and proceeded to perform a solo masterpiece of choreographed footwork and grace.
Bills spirit was clearly present when he hit the dance floor and captured the attention of “all” in attendance, with foot work I had only previously seen when watching him on the golf course!!
Until next time,
Barbara Taylor
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ABOUT BARBARA TAYLOR
In April 2011, after taking a six-year hiatus from golf lessons, Taylor decided to return to the world of Golf. When she first took lessons, she found that the transition from playing a “B” level of tennis to learning to play golf was boring, and slow as hell, and as perilous as going over Niagara Falls without a barrel. So, she made a decision (that she thought was wise at the time) to give it up! Taylor’s returned to the game came with a whole new prospective, purpose, respect, and attitude…. And, yes maturity.
Unlike when she was playing tennis, Taylor had no desire to get caught-up in the competitive frenzy. She is into golf for the shear love of the fun, travel and social interactions that she has found so delightful in the golf environment and game. However, she does want to be taken seriously.
Taylor is currently being coached by the legendary Alton Duhon, at the renown Chester Washington Golf Course, in Los Angeles. The course is also the California Golf Home of Dr. Charles Sifford.
