Former WGA president/CEO Johnson dies

Don Johnson was a major player on Chicago's golf scene, a man easy to identify because of his celebrity name, warmth and robust head of silver hair.

Johnson, who died Thursday night at 77 as the result of a heart ailment, served as president and CEO of the Western Golf Association/Evans Scholars Foundation from 1988 until his retirement in 2009.

Under his leadership, the WGA/ESF progressed from near financial insolvency to a solid standing with a $45 million endowment. Johnson also helped maintain a high standard for the WGA's tournaments: the BMW Championship, Western Amateur and Western Junior.

"His leadership resulted in the presentation of world-class championships that were admired and respected throughout the golf world," said John Kaczkowski, who succeeded Johnson as WGA president and CEO. "And Don's focus on building a firm financial base for our Evans Scholars program afforded thousands of young men and women the opportunity to earn their college degrees."

Johnson grew up in Racine, Wis., near a nine-hole public course called Washington Park. At 14, he began selling hot dogs and drinks at the course's refreshment stand.

At 16, he caddied at Meadowbrook Country Club, gaining an early perspective on the path Evans Scholars candidates take in their pursuit of a WGA-sponsored college scholarship.

Johnson, who maintained a solid handicap index of 11.7 at 74, was the medalist in the Wisconsin State Junior in 1953. He earned undergraduate and law degrees from Wisconsin and practiced law in Madison for 26 years.

He joined Nakoma Golf Club and became a WGA director in 1984.

"I've always had a compelling interest in the game," he once said. "Although I made my living as a lawyer, I invested a lot of time in the administration of golf."

During his tenure, 4,000 male and female caddies received college educations as Evans Scholars, and thousands of professional, amateur and junior golfers participated in WGA championships.

He was inducted into the Wisconsin Golf Hall of Fame in 2008, and the Evans Scholars National Committee presented Johnson with an honorary Evans Scholarship in 2009 for his years of service.

"Don enjoyed a lifelong love of, and respect for, the game of golf," Kaczkowski said. "He was dedicated to giving back to the game through his work with our scholarships and championships, and he clearly succeeded."

tgreenstein@tribune.com

Twitter @TeddyGreenstein

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