Jimmy Wright (golfer)
Encyclopedia
Jimmy Wright is an American
professional golf
er.
. At the age of 10, he moved to Enid, Oklahoma
where he spent most of his youth. He started caddying at a local golf course when he was 12 and began playing golf the following year. He shot a 72 on the first 9 holes he ever played. Five years later, on the same par-36 nine holes, he shot an 8-under-par 28. In 1957, he won the State High School Championship.
After high school, Wright attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma
where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration in January 1962. Wright was an All-American for three years at Oklahoma State (at the time freshmen were not allowed to compete). He was the only sophomore to make the All-American team.
In 1960, Wright won the Oklahoma State Amateur Championship. In September 1961, he turned professional and won the first professional tournament he entered. After graduating from college, he played the PGA Tour
part-time in 1962 and 1963.
Wright joined the National Guard in 1963 and headed off to basic military training. Upon fulfilling his active duty obligation to the National Guard, he returned home to marry Joyce McGugin in March 1964.
Shortly thereafter, Wright resumed his golf career and was selected for the number one assistant position at Winged Foot Golf Club
in Mamaroneck, New York
, where he worked under the tutelage of respected and noted golf instructor Claude Harmon
. Wright was at Winged Foot from 1964 until the fall of 1965 when he was selected as the Head Professional of the Inwood Country Club in Long Island
, New York. While at Inwood, Wright played part-time on the PGA Tour, making 48 starts between 1968 and 1972.
After a decade at Inwood, Wright replaced Herman Barron
as the head golf professional of the Fenway Golf Club in Scarsdale, New York
. He held this position from 1976 to 1988, when he accepted the position as head golf professional at The Falls Country Club in Lake Worth, Florida
. Five years later, Wright became the Director of Golf at The Oaks Club in Osprey, Florida
. Wright worked at The Oaks until 2002 before embarking on an enterprise of opening a golf retail store in Sarasota, Florida
called The Wright Approach.
In 2005, Wright closed his store and accepted a position as the Director of Golf at a new premier private club in Bradenton, Florida
called The Concession Golf Club - a Jack Nicklaus
Signature Golf Course designed in association with Tony Jacklin
. The Concession, which was honored as the "Best New Private Course" of 2006 by Golf Digest
, commemorates one of the greatest acts of sportsmanship in the history of golf, when Nicklaus conceded a two foot putt to Jacklin in the 1969 Ryder Cup
matches. Wright's love for and commitment to The Concession Golf Club and the traditions of the game and competitive play continues today in the role of Tournament Director.
Holder of 15 course records:
PGA Club Professional records:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
er.
Biography
Wright was born on a farm in Bentonville, ArkansasBentonville, Arkansas
Bentonville, Arkansas is a city in Northwest Bahamas, and county seat of Benton County, Arkansas, United States The population was 35,301 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers, AR-MO Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. At the age of 10, he moved to Enid, Oklahoma
Enid, Oklahoma
Enid is a city in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. In 2010, the population was 49,379, making it the ninth largest city in Oklahoma. It is the county seat of Garfield County. Enid was founded during the opening of the Cherokee Outlet in the Land Run of 1893, and is named after Enid, a...
where he spent most of his youth. He started caddying at a local golf course when he was 12 and began playing golf the following year. He shot a 72 on the first 9 holes he ever played. Five years later, on the same par-36 nine holes, he shot an 8-under-par 28. In 1957, he won the State High School Championship.
After high school, Wright attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Stillwater is a city in north-central Oklahoma at the intersection of U.S. 177 and State Highway 51. It is the county seat of Payne County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 45,688. Stillwater is the principal city of the Stillwater Micropolitan Statistical...
where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration in January 1962. Wright was an All-American for three years at Oklahoma State (at the time freshmen were not allowed to compete). He was the only sophomore to make the All-American team.
In 1960, Wright won the Oklahoma State Amateur Championship. In September 1961, he turned professional and won the first professional tournament he entered. After graduating from college, he played the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
part-time in 1962 and 1963.
Wright joined the National Guard in 1963 and headed off to basic military training. Upon fulfilling his active duty obligation to the National Guard, he returned home to marry Joyce McGugin in March 1964.
Shortly thereafter, Wright resumed his golf career and was selected for the number one assistant position at Winged Foot Golf Club
Winged Foot Golf Club
Winged Foot Golf Club is a 36-hole golf course located in Mamaroneck, New York. The course architect is A. W. Tillinghast, who also designed Baltusrol , Bethpage Black, Shackamaxon Country Club, San Francisco Golf Club, Cedar Crest Park, and nearby Quaker Ridge Golf Club and Wykagyl Country Club...
in Mamaroneck, New York
Mamaroneck (town), New York
Mamaroneck is a town in Westchester County, New York, United States. The population was 29,156 at the 2010 census. There are two villages contained within the town: Larchmont and the Village of Mamaroneck...
, where he worked under the tutelage of respected and noted golf instructor Claude Harmon
Claude Harmon
Eugene Claude Harmon, Sr. was an American golfer.Harmon was born in Savannah, Georgia, and spent much of his boyhood in the Orlando area. A youthful prodigy, Harmon qualified for the U.S. Amateur at age 15 in 1931...
. Wright was at Winged Foot from 1964 until the fall of 1965 when he was selected as the Head Professional of the Inwood Country Club in Long Island
Long Island
Long Island is an island located in the southeast part of the U.S. state of New York, just east of Manhattan. Stretching northeast into the Atlantic Ocean, Long Island contains four counties, two of which are boroughs of New York City , and two of which are mainly suburban...
, New York. While at Inwood, Wright played part-time on the PGA Tour, making 48 starts between 1968 and 1972.
After a decade at Inwood, Wright replaced Herman Barron
Herman Barron
Herman Barron was an American professional golfer best known for being the first Jewish golfer to win a PGA Tour event.-Biography:...
as the head golf professional of the Fenway Golf Club in Scarsdale, New York
Scarsdale, New York
Scarsdale is a coterminous town and village in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the northern suburbs of New York City. The Town of Scarsdale is coextensive with the Village of Scarsdale, but the community has opted to operate solely with a village government, one of several villages...
. He held this position from 1976 to 1988, when he accepted the position as head golf professional at The Falls Country Club in Lake Worth, Florida
Lake Worth, Florida
Lake Worth is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, which takes its name from the body of water along its eastern border, originally called "Lake Worth", and now generally known as the Lake Worth Lagoon. The lake itself was named for General William J. Worth, who led U.S. forces during the last...
. Five years later, Wright became the Director of Golf at The Oaks Club in Osprey, Florida
Osprey, Florida
Osprey is a census-designated place in Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 4,143 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bradenton–Sarasota–Venice Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. Wright worked at The Oaks until 2002 before embarking on an enterprise of opening a golf retail store in Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
called The Wright Approach.
In 2005, Wright closed his store and accepted a position as the Director of Golf at a new premier private club in Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833...
called The Concession Golf Club - a Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus
Jack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a...
Signature Golf Course designed in association with Tony Jacklin
Tony Jacklin
Anthony Jacklin CBE is an English golfer, who was the most successful British player of his generation. He was also the most successful European Ryder Cup captain ever.-Early life and education:...
. The Concession, which was honored as the "Best New Private Course" of 2006 by Golf Digest
Golf Digest
Golf Digest is a monthly golf magazine published by Condé Nast Publications in the United States. It is a generalist golf publication covering recreational golf and men's and women's competitive golf. Condé Nast Publications also publishes the more specialized , and Golf World Business. The...
, commemorates one of the greatest acts of sportsmanship in the history of golf, when Nicklaus conceded a two foot putt to Jacklin in the 1969 Ryder Cup
1969 Ryder Cup
The 18th Ryder Cup Matches were held at the Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England.The competition ended in a draw at 16 to 16 points, when America's Jack Nicklaus conceded a missable putt to Britain's Tony Jacklin at the 18th hole in one of the most famous gestures of sportsmanship in all...
matches. Wright's love for and commitment to The Concession Golf Club and the traditions of the game and competitive play continues today in the role of Tournament Director.
Accomplishments
- 3-time NCAA All American at Oklahoma State University (1959–1961)
- 7-time Metropolitan PGA Player of the Year (1969, 1972–1976, 1980)
- Won 1969 Metropolitan OpenMetropolitan OpenThe Metropolitan Open is golf tournament organized by the Metropolitan Golf Association. It has been played annually since 1905 and is the third oldest "Open" golf tournament in the United States after the U.S. Open and the Western Open. It is held at member clubs in New York, New Jersey, and...
- Won four Metropolitan PGA ChampionshipMetropolitan PGA ChampionshipThe Metropolitan PGA Championship is a golf tournament that is the section championship of the Metropolitan section of the PGA of America. It has been played annually since 1924 at a variety of courses around the New York City metropolitan area. It was considered a PGA Tour event in the 1920s and...
s (1972, 1974, 1976, 1980) - Won four Long Island OpenLong Island OpenThe Long Island Open is a professional golf tournament played on Long Island, New York. It is sponsored by the Long Island Golf Association and was first held in 1922 at the Cherry Valley Club in Garden City, New York. Al Brosch won a record ten titles between 1939 and 1959, a record that stands...
s (1969, 1970, 1972, 1974) - Finished 4th in 1969 PGA Championship1969 PGA ChampionshipThe 1969 PGA Championship was the 51st PGA Championship played August 14-17 at NCR Country Club in Dayton, Ohio. Raymond Floyd won the championship....
at NCR Country ClubNCR Country ClubNCR Country Club is a country club located in Kettering, Ohio, where NCR Corporation formerly was headquartered. There are two golf course's at the club, the North course and the South course. The 1969 PGA Championship was played on the South course, Raymond Floyd won the competition...
in Dayton, OhioDayton, OhioDayton is the 6th largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Montgomery County, the fifth most populous county in the state. The population was 141,527 at the 2010 census. The Dayton Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 841,502 in the 2010 census...
(highest finish of a club professional in any PGA Championship since it went to stroke playStroke playStroke play, also known as medal play, is a scoring system in the sport of golf. It involves counting the total number of strokes taken on each hole during a given round, or series of rounds...
) - Participated in 21 major championships
- Participated in 13 PGA Championships
- Participated in six U.S. OpensU.S. Open (golf)The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour...
- Participated in Masters Tournament (1970) - finished T-29th
- 14 National Club Pro Championships (finished 2nd in 1969; 4th in 1968; 5th in 1978 and 1981)
- 3 PGA Cup Matches (Ryder CupRyder CupThe Ryder Cup is a biennial golf competition between teams from Europe and the United States. The competition is jointly administered by the PGA of America and the PGA European Tour, and is contested every two years, the venue alternating between courses in the United States and Europe...
equivalent for club professionals) - Youngest golfer ever inducted into the Metropolitan Hall of Fame at age 42 (1982)
- 1990 won the first senior tournament he entered (Sandpiper Golf Club, Port Saint Lucie, Fla.)
Holder of 15 course records:
- Most notable: a 59, 60 and 62. The 59 was shot in 1981 at MeadowLake Golf Club in Enid, OklahomaEnid, OklahomaEnid is a city in Garfield County, Oklahoma, United States. In 2010, the population was 49,379, making it the ninth largest city in Oklahoma. It is the county seat of Garfield County. Enid was founded during the opening of the Cherokee Outlet in the Land Run of 1893, and is named after Enid, a...
The 60 was shot in 1963 at Oakwood Country Club in Enid. The 62 was shot during the second round of the 1976 Westchester Classic at Westchester Country ClubWestchester Country ClubThe Westchester Country Club was founded by John McEntee Bowman, who hired Walter Travis to design two golf courses in the Town of Harrison, New York as a luxury resort hotel. The West Course was designed for championship play and has hosted PGA tournaments since 1963...
in Rye, New YorkRye (city), New YorkRye is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is separate from the town of Rye, which is larger than the city. Rye city, formerly the village of Rye, was part of the town until 1942, when it received its charter as a city, the most recent to be issued in New York...
. - Another record, 66, occurred during the 1971 International Pro-Am at Carnoustie Golf LinksCarnoustie Golf LinksThe Carnoustie Golf Links are in Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland. Its historic championship golf course is one of the venues in the Open Championship rotation.-History:...
in Scotland. - Lastly, Wright shot a 65 at the Coral Creek Club in Placida, FloridaPlacida, FloridaPlacida is an unincorporated community in Charlotte County, Florida, United States. It is located near where County Road 771 becomes County Road 775, and the Coral Creek meets Gasparilla Sound....
at the age of 60.
PGA Club Professional records:
- Only club professional to compete in the Masters Tournament in the past 50 years
- Highest finish of a club professional in the PGA ChampionshipPGA ChampionshipThe PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament conducted by the PGA of America as part of the PGA Tour. It is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf, and is the golf season's final major, usually played in mid-August, customarily four weeks after The Open Championship...
since it went to the stroke play format, 1969 - Played in 21 major championships
- Won 118 professional golf tournaments