In this early edition of this new editorial series, Local Heroes. I plan to share numerous stories of those individuals whom I found to be inspirational, encouraging, groundbreaking, and trailblazing in and around my hometown, Seattle, WA. I’ve always wanted to tell impactful stories, with the intent that others can learn something from the Local Hero series, which inspires them to chase their dreams.
In a time when many do not acknowledge the past, a select few look back to cherish it and receive one of the most gracious honors among their peers. This story shows how staying focused, understanding your value, and being disciplined can benefit those on and off the golf course. Recently, family, friends, and colleagues gathered to celebrate Seattle’s own Derek Liddell for being elected to the Washington State Golf Board of Directors. He became only the second African American to be elected; his close friend Durel Billy was the first.
It was a surprisingly dry February evening in the south end of Seattle when friends and family of the community that Liddell has quietly uplifted for years gathered to celebrate his appointment to the Board of Directors for WA Golf and his role as President of AP National Golf Club. For many, this moment felt like a crowning achievement. For Liddell, it was something different; this wasn’t the finish line, but a continuation of a purpose he’s been living into since his youth.
“It’s icing on the cake,” Liddell said with a smile. “Not the sprinkles yet — but definitely icing.”
That humility, paired with a deep sense of purpose and responsibility, is what makes Derek Liddell a Local Hero. Not only has he navigated the pitfalls of being a black man in America, but he has done so with grace and dignity while not being afraid to chase his goals; in turn, becoming a beacon of hope for others to follow.
“As a kid, I always said, ‘” I’d be the first Black president,’” Liddell recalled. “People around me had high expectations. I’m lucky to have been surrounded by people who pushed me to live up to what they saw in me. This work is just living out what was poured into me.”
That line — higher expectations — is the heartbeat of his leadership. This is the essence of who Liddell is and has been! He’s driven by legacy, responsibility, and the belief that he owes something to the people who poured into him.
“This is about living out what was given to me,” he said with humility.
While competing with some of the most talented hoopers in the state at Garfield High School, Liddell realized that the National Basketball Association probably wasn’t likely in his future. As a young professional in Seattle, he was also cognizant of the pitfalls and temptations around him.
“I can’t really run the streets,” Liddell said, recalling the moments he had to figure things out as an adult. “I’m young, but I’m a professional.”
Liddell’s father took him to the range, put clubs in his hands, and planted a seed that would grow years later and would significantly impact Seattle’s golf community. It was then that golf became more than a pastime — it became a path.
“I didn’t really want to go golfing,” Liddell remembered. “I was trying to hit the dude picking up balls at the driving range.”
But beneath the humor was something more important — exposure. He had been exposed to a game that required focus, dedication, and determination. Then came the 1997 Master’s and the emergence of Tiger Woods, who showed the world that representation matters in every field and in every industry.
“There was this kid, Tiger Woods, who was filthy,” Liddell recalled. “He won a bunch of amateurs, then the Masters. It was exciting to watch — and a Black person.”
A strange thing happened on the course with this dad. Not only was he getting to spend the quality time every son wants to spend with his father, but Liddell caught the golf bug.
“I found like, oh, I’m nervous. I get butterflies. I like this,” Liddell shared. “Once the bug gets you, all you want to do is golf.”
Liddell’s rise in golf has never been about individual achievement. It’s always been about bringing others with him. However, some are on different paths.
“You can’t talk to everybody. Some cats are doing stuff you don’t want to be doing. But when you start reaching back to those who want to get involved — that’s where the pull is,” admitted Liddell. “You’re going to find a lot of stuff out on the golf course,” he said. “Pressure, money, relationships — everything.”
“My dad became a banker, and the bank shut down on Fridays so they could golf. His best friend was Bill Wright,” Liddell shared. “Being around people who played for money and under pressure made the game exciting. You learn a lot about people on the course.”
Golf for Liddell has been a classroom. A proving ground. A conference room. A respite, and a place to make connections. Ultimately, this connection became more to Liddell than he could have ever anticipated.
Liddell was instrumental in the name change of the Jefferson Golf Course to the Bill Wright Golf Complex at Jefferson Park. This daunting process took multiple years to complete, but the time and effort taken to recognize such a deserving candidate needed the support of the community activist and someone to lead this charge; they found the right man in Derek Liddell, per long-term Beacon Hill Council member Cathy Columbo.
Not only was Bill Wright a friend of Liddell’s father, but he was also the first Black golfer to win a USGA tournament. This connection would later shape one of the most meaningful chapters of Liddell’s life.
“As I started looking into the community’s desire to change the name of the golf course, from Jefferson Golf Course to the Bill Wright Golf Course. I realized this was such a big project. I couldn’t do it by myself. I needed a team. So, I began reaching out to family members and people with deep ties to the community,” shared former Beacon Hill Council member Columbo. “Being a white person, I felt it was really important to have people of color involved in leading this effort.”
“What was so beautiful is that Derek Liddell, who is the godson of Bill Wright, and Karen, his goddaughter,” Columbo added. “The five of us worked for three and a half years to get the name changed.”
As you may have imagined, not everyone was excited about this initiative. So, it required this committee to remain resilient while working through the bureaucracy.
“We faced resistance — Sam Parks Jr. (1935 U.S. Open Champion) wasn’t very excited about renaming it — but Derek has such positive energy. We supported each other, stayed positive, and kept moving forward because we knew how important this was for the community,” Columbo shared with glee. “We live in a diverse community, and we wanted young people to feel like they could come to the clubhouse, come golf, and know this was a place where they belonged.”
This is just another account of how people want to work with Liddell and how his positivity can move mountains. He got involved, then he stayed involved. The Bill Wright Golf Complex now stands as a permanent tribute to a man who broke racial barriers years ago — and thanks to Liddell’s commitment backed by a community, that refused to let his legacy fade.
Wright was more than just a historical figure to Liddell; He was family.
“He was a rose that grew from concrete and he was my dad’s best friend.” Liddell explained. “Some days felt political, but we pushed through.”
This show of leadership was just another reason why Liddell was rightfully appointed to the Board of Directors for WA Golf. Remember, he said he wanted to be the first black president? Though he hasn’t become the nation’s first black president, he’s been preparing for such a leadership for a lifetime.
“As I grew up through adolescence in Seattle, I wasn’t always living in a way that aligned with that dream. AP National gave me a place to practice, develop, and become who I was supposed to be,” said Liddell of becoming President of AP National Golf Club. “I’m also proud that the club trusted us to shrink in order to grow. When Durel asked me to take on the role, we intentionally reduced in size so we could rebuild stronger. Now we’re in a position of growth, and the sky’s the limit. The club has given us a place to dream bigger.”
Liddell is eager to share his learnings, from his career playing this infamously challenging game. He has a strong belief that golf is for everyone and can teach us all something about many aspects of life and welcomes any newcomers to the sport join him on the links.
“Golf teaches you how to be comfortable in spaces where no one looks like you. If I play in a tournament and perform well in a room where I’m the only one who looks like me, then going to work on Monday in a similar environment doesn’t faze me,” Liddell says about his approach to the game. “For young Black students—or anyone who feels underrepresented—golf is a five‑hour walk where we can talk, learn, and experience resilience together.”
“You hit a bad shot, laugh it off, find the ball, and try again. That mindset translates to life. In Seattle especially, if you’re doing what you’re meant to do, chances are people won’t look like you,” said Liddell. “Golf helps you build the confidence to succeed anyway. Whether you’re a woman, a non‑white male, or anyone who feels out of place, golf teaches you to be comfortable being uncomfortable—and that skill can take you anywhere.”
Liddell isn’t driven by accolades. He’s driven by legacy, responsibility, and the belief that he owes something to the people who poured into him. His willingness to speak up and represent those underrepresented in the community as an executive board member for WA Golf is a welcomed role for Liddell, as the sport of golf continues to grow in the state of Washington.
“My purpose in that room is different from everyone else’s because I represent golfers who don’t look like the majority of people in that space,” Liddell said about being the second Black member of the executive board, and how he plans to amplify the voice of AP National statewide. “I bring our way of thinking to the table by asking why things are done a certain way and how they could be done differently.”
“WA Golf is getting an excellent board member. Derek is brilliant, positive, and brings a can‑do attitude with a smile. He believes in golf, and he’s been an ambassador for the game for years, said longtime friend and fellow golfer Akil Washington. “Under his leadership at AP National, our club has taken off. We’ve done amazing things because of his vision, our board members, and our members supporting him. The sky is the limit for WA Golf with Derek involved.”
“We host a tournament every month. Our season kickoff is March 7th at Canterwood Country Club,” says Washington about the evolution of AP National Golf Club under Liddell’s leadership. “We also run tournaments that align with the PGA Tour majors. Every tournament has a trophy, cash prizes, and of course, bragging rights as AP National champion.”
It seems that everyone Liddell’s path crosses has only positive things to say about him. Whether it’s discussing him being named to the Board of Directors for WA Golf or in his role as President of AP National Golf Club.
“Derek (Liddell) is consistent, dedicated, and deeply rooted in the city. He cares about young people, women, the community — everyone. His energy is unmatched,” said Durel Billy, the former President of AP Golf Club. “He’s the perfect leader to take AP National into the stratosphere. His wife, Amber, and her family were thankful for sharing him with the club because his impact is that significant.”
As Liddell walked with purpose, he simultaneously reshaped the golf in the market. His welcoming nature and magnetic personality have attracted many non-golfers to the sport. Liddell shared this with me when I asked about his message to non‑golfers or those who might be curious about taking up golf.
“Come walk with us. You don’t even have to play,” Liddell said with his infectious smile. “Just walk the course, spend time with the group, and I guarantee you’ll leave with a smile and want to come back.”
In the immortal words of the great American philosopher Biz Markie, “Damn it feels good to see people up on it!” Click on the attached hyperlinks to learn more about The Bill Wright Golf Complex at Jefferson Park or AP National Golf Club. Or you can follow Liddell on social media (LinkedIn: Derek Liddell) to stay up to date with the work they are doing in Western Washington with their community activities and/ or local golf tournaments.
Share your thoughts on golfing in Seattle with me at https://x.com/whatsgoodnsport.
