By ProofNThePlay

The Atlantic Pacific National Golf Club successfully held its First Annual Golf Tournament this past weekend at Riverbend Golf Complex in Kent, marking a significant milestone in the club’s history. The event attracted a diverse crowd of golf enthusiasts, from seasoned players to local amateurs, all eager to compete.

The tournament featured a classic 18-hole format, with participants divided into various skill-based categories. The meticulously maintained greens and fairways provided a challenging yet enjoyable experience for all players. 

In addition to the competition, the tournament emphasized community and camaraderie. The event concluded with an awards ceremony where winners in different categories were celebrated, reinforcing the spirit of friendly competition and sportsmanship.

Elder Robert "Woody" Woodard from Fir Golf Club 1947 shared his gratitude to all participants and volunteers, promising that this inaugural event is just the beginning of what will become a cherished tradition at the Atlantic Pacific National Golf Club. He had even greater excitement that Jefferson Park Golf Course will be renamed Bill Wright Golf Complex in honor of Seattle native Bill Wright, who helped Franklin win their  first basketball state championship in 1954.

He won the 1959 U.S. Amateur Public Links, becoming the first African American to win a USGA national championship. Wright earned athletic honors in golf and basketball at Western Washington State College (now University), won the NAIA collegiate individual golf championship in 1960, and is a member of WWU’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He competed in the 1959 U.S. Amateur, was a member of the 1959 Hudson Cup team, briefly ventured onto the professional tour, and played in the 1966 U.S. Open. He qualified for five U.S. Senior Opens and is enshrined in the USGA Museum in Far Hills, N.J.

2023, Wright was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame. He passed away on February 19, 2021, at the age of 84.