[2] Courtright was president of National Pacific Tank and Mill Co. in Oakland and became one of the youngest vice presidents for the Bank of America in San Francisco during the 1930s, and when the Beverly Hills Hotel went into bankruptcy, he was assigned to the foreclosure in 1936.
Courtright was credited with naming the Polo Lounge, having been inspired during renovations to the Beverly Hills Hotel bar, displaying a trophy won by a friend who led a national champion polo team.
[4] In 1958, Courtright sold the Beverly Hills Hotel to Ben L. Silberstein and associates for $6 million.
[5] In the deal, the plan was for Courtright, who knew the social groups of Los Angeles and other owners at the time, to stay on for five years as president and general manager.
[6][2] He sold the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in November 1985 to a Hong Kong investment group for $125 million.