About
George Wright helped establish America's first public golf course, Franklin Park, in Boston in 1890; he also hired future legend Francis Ouimet at his sporting goods store.
George Wright was a prominent figure in early American golf, best known for his impact on the sport in Boston. Originally famous as a Hall of Fame baseball player in the 19th century, Wright pivoted to golf after his athletic retirement. He became an active promoter and developer, founding Wright & Ditson Sporting Goods, which imported and sold golf clubs, thus promoting golf’s accessibility in the region. Wright was instrumental in laying out Franklin Park Golf Course in 1890, recognized as New England's—and the United States'—first public golf course. His influence extended to donating land for what would become the George Wright Golf Course, Boston’s second municipal golf venue. This golf course, built during the 1930s through a massive engineering effort, is now celebrated among the top municipal courses in the country. Throughout his life, Wright’s commitment to golf helped grow the game and cemented his legacy as a significant contributor to Boston’s, and America's, early public golf scene.
