U.S. Senior Amateur Qualifier Back on Wright Path

With his gray beard, tanned face and a bio that is almost too amazing to believe, Jeff Wright easily might be the “Most Interesting Man” in the 68th U.S. Senior Amateur. Wright, 58, of Benicia, Calif., has lived a life that would make Hollywood script writers reach for their laptops. Once a blue-chip high school golf recruit out of Southern California, Wright verbally committed to attend Georgia Tech while riding in a helicopter over Augusta National Golf Club. He later switched that pledge to Arizona State, where he teamed with future two-time USGA champ Billy Mayfair, and according to his online bio, introduced the Phoenix native to his first beer. But he soon discovered he had a musical talent and quit golf to join a band. He also had Madison Avenue looks and was hired as a model for a number of magazines, including Macy’s. With his newfound musical skills, Wright enjoyed 30 years playing in a number of bands, enjoying the rock-star life right down to the booze and drugs. That led to a divorce from his wife and a place in the Betty Ford Clinic in Palm Springs, Calif., after attempting suicide. For two years, Wright slept out of his car due to bankruptcy before getting his life back in order in the real estate appraisal business. He even rediscovered his love for golf, qualifying for the 2021 U.S. Senior Amateur and this year’s championship. Somewhere in this scenario is a book/movie deal. Or at least a spot in the next Dos Equis commercial.