Mr. George “GG”Johnson

Born in 1939 in Columbus, Georgia, as the second of six children raised by George Johnson Sr., and Johnnie M. Johnson, George “GG” Johnson, PGA started playing golf during an era when Jim Crow ruled not only the South but the PGA itself.  Johnson is the first and only African American head golf professional in Kentucky, according to the University of Kentucky Libraries. Johnson, of Atlanta, Ga., passed away on Saturday, March 29, 2014 at 3:15pm.   While still in high school at the young age of 15, George sparked his lifelong love of golf when he became a caddy at a segregated golf course in Columbus, GA.  After graduating he moved to Atlanta, Ga. And began his adult golfing career playing on an African American tour, where he won many golf matches.  His incredible skillset led to him being accepted into the training program for the Professional Golfers Association (PGA).  After excelling at each level and completing the PGA training program, he obtained his players certificate and PGA membership in 1968, allowing him to become one of the first African Americans to do so.  Johnson became a professional golfer in 1964, qualifying for the U.S. Open in 1965. In 1971 he won the Azalea Open and became the fourth African American to win a PGA tournament. Johnson played on the PGA Tour for many years, receiving many accolades, and blazing a trail across the U.S. at a time when “Blacks” were not typically allowed to even step foot on most golf courses due segregation.  While touring he met the love of his life Ms. LaJune Ponder and the two were married on September 9, 1972.   After years of touring on the regular PGA tour, Johnson joined the Senior PGA League and toured for five years.  Johnson was known to only acknowledge race as a factor that might have affected his playing career only when pressed about it.   In 1998 Johnson started the Annual George “GG” Johnson Golf Scramble in conjunction with the Urban Youth Golf Program to benefit youth interested in learning the game of golf.  He was highly involved with the community, loved working with youth, and giving back wherever and whenever he could. In 2004, Johnson was one of nine golf professionals named to manage Louisville Metro Park clubhouse operations for the next five years. He was the Head Pro at Bobby Nichols Golf Course in Waverly Park, Louisville, KY, where he has been since 1997. He was a lifetime member of the PGA Tour, and in 2008, was inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of Fame.   Johnson was loved by both family and friends and was known for his loud voice, boisterous laughter, infectious smile and quick wit; he loved to laugh and could be quite a jokester.  He continued in that fashion throughout his days as he even joked with the nursing staff while he was at Atlanta Hospice.   Johnson was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Harold Anderson and Richard Johnson. Left behind to cherish his memories and embrace the wonderful examples that he set are his wife Mrs. LaJune Johnson, daughter Ms. Kristi G. Johnson (Atlanta, GA) and sons Lenwick A. Ponder (Selena) (Amsterdam, Holland), and Marcus A. Ponder I (Atlanta, GA); six grandchildren, great-grandchildren, a sister, Gwendolyn “Lois” Williams (Lee) (Columbus, GA). Two brothers; Johnny L. Johnson (Mattie) (Bradley, AR), Charlie W. Jonson (Louisville, KY) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and loving friends.   Johnson’s funeral service was held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at the Hoosier Memorial United Methodist Church located at 2545 Benjamin East Mays Drive, Atlanta, GA.   Officiant Rev. Minnie T. Robinson.