Jerry Johnson stood tall and always put the game of golf first.

Following a brief career in the banking industry, Jerry Johnson changed gears and entered the golf business and became a PGA apprentice under Keith Hannan at Mason City Country Club in 1976. From 1980-1985 he was the Head PGA Professional at Lake Bracken Country Club in Galesburg, IL. When Joe August retired as golf professional of Marshalltown’s Elmwood Country Club in the fall of 1985, Jerry was hired to take over the reins. He enjoyed working at Elmwood for 29 years before retiring on December 31, 2014, achieving “Life Membership” status in the PGA of America.

Following retirement, Jerry stayed active in giving back to the game – serving on the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, Iowa PGA Strategic Planning Committees and other activities.

Jerry, who passed away July 17, 2020, will be remembered most for his passion in promoting the game of golf to the Marshalltown community. Be it a listening ear while golfers recounted their rounds to him, spending many hours giving lessons on the practice tee, administering golf events, teaching area high school golf teams and P.E. classes in proper swing execution and golf etiquette, and helping to implement the Swings with Kids program in Marshalltown schools, he wanted to share his love of the game and impart its many life lessons.

“His contributions to the game are unsung and not always seen,” Iowa Section PGA Executive Director Greg Mason said. “He was in my ear for 15 years to find a way to grow our game with all of our allied associations. I believe if you truly examine his career you note that Jerry never put himself first. He always put his family first, his members first, his PGA Professionals first, but always put the good of the game at the top of that list!”

Jerry’s love of competition also fostered years of participating in amateur and professional tournaments. Two highlights included playing in the Quad Cities Open twice and the National PGA Club Professional Championship four times.

Jerry was also very instrumental in the success of the Lennox/Quakerdale Pro-Am Invitational, held at Elmwood. His contributions behind the scenes helped the event raise more than $2,000,000 under his watch.

“Golf was always an incredible passion for Jerry and it showed time and time again as the attendees, including all the many PGA professionals that participated annually, have always experienced a great time,” Lee Eft, General Chairman of the Lennox/Quakerdale Pro-Am Invitational said. “He was always a pleasure to work with and worked tirelessly to make the event a great success.”

The Iowa Golf Association named Jerry the Golf Professional of the Year in 1990. That same year he was named Iowa PGA Merchandiser of the Year by the Iowa PGA. Jerry held the office of President of the Iowa PGA from 1991-1993 and was selected by his peers in 1992 as the Iowa PGA Section Professional of the Year. In 2016 he received the IPGA Horton Smith Award.

“You would be hard pressed to find someone within the state who didn’t know who Jerry Johnson was,” Jay Giannetto, PGA Professional at Elmwood said. “It would be even more difficult to find someone who didn’t love and respect who he wa as a person. Jerry’s passion for golf and his desire to help people was truly inspirational.”

• PGA Professional at Elmwood C.C. for 29 years before retiring on December 31, 2014, achieving “Life Membership” status in the PGA of America.
• Very instrumental in the success of the Lennox/Quakerdale Pro-Am Invitational, held at Elmwood CC. His contributions behind the scenes have helped the event raise more than $2,000,000 in the 30+ years at Elmwood.
• 1990 Iowa Golf Association Golf Professional of the Year in 1990
• 1990 Iowa PGA Merchandiser of the Year by the Iowa PGA
• President of the Iowa PGA from 1991-1993
• 1992 as the Iowa Section PGA Professional of the Year
• 2016 PGA Horton Smith Award
• Helped to implement the Swings with Kids program in Marshalltown schools, as he wanted to share his love of the game and impart its many life lessons.
• Served on the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, Iowa PGA Strategic Planning Committees and other activities up until his passing.