The Fir State Golf Club was established in 1947 to provide a means for minorities to learn and compete in the sport of golf, and since its founding has been based out of Jefferson Park Golf Course in Seattle. In 1954, Fir State became one of the founding clubs of the Western State Golf Association (WSGA), which now boasts 32 member clubs in seven states. The WSGA is nationally recognized for its junior golf programs and tournaments, as well as its collaboration with the National Minority Junior Golf Program. Fir State enjoys a rich history of accomplishments, dating back to 1955 when Bill Wright Jr., one of the club's first junior golfers, placed second in the Seattle High School Championship. In 1959, he went on to capture the prestigious U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship, becoming the first black golfer to win a USGA national championship. In 1994, a tradition was continued when high school freshman and Fir State junior golfer Tyson Lanore won the same high school championship and a spot in the national Maxfli Junior Championship. Professional baseball player and local legend Dave Mann was a longtime member of Fir State Golf Club, as well as Seattle Supersonics player and head coach of several Garfield High School basketball championship teams Al Hairston. The late great NBA icon Bill Russell was also a proud member of Fir State Golf Club for many years. Jefferson Park, in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Seattle, has been the steady home course for Fir State Golf Club. On any given day you can find members chipping and putting, hitting range balls, playing cards, meeting for lunch and mostly enjoying each other’s company. [gallery style="slider" align="default" ids="https://wagolf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/118222320_934873943662229_8914652447102000557_n.jpeg|,https://wagolf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image2.jpeg|,https://wagolf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/103955697_885561715260119_411909842859933802_n-FB.jpeg|,https://wagolf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image0.jpeg|,https://wagolf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/image1.jpeg|"] Among our exciting activities is the Annual Celebrity Tournament, inaugurated in 1992 by host Tiger Woods, and since hosted by Ken Griffey Sr., Warren Moon, Dale Ellis, and Nate McMillan. Funds raised benefited the Fir State Junior Golf Foundation, and supported the club’s Junior Golf and Scholarship Programs. The club meets twice a week during golf season (April-October) playing at various golf courses around the King County area as well as traveling to support other WSGA club events throughout the Northwest and West Coast. Fir State also hosts social meet-and-greet events throughout the golf season for fellowship and hosts an annual fundraiser tournament to support the Junior Golf Foundation.
During off-season the board of directors meets once a month to plan the next golf season’s events. Fir State is open to golfers of all skill levels, and encourages those who are new to the game to join. Fir State Golf Club welcomes men, women and juniors into the club with enthusiasm. Anyone can join. Please visit
firstategolfclub.com. The annual fee is $100. Follow Fir State Golf Club on
Facebook or
Twitter @firstategolf. Check out the our
club directory to learn more about other WA Golf Member Clubs.
