Ed Johnson
(September 19, 2012)–How many people do you know who play golf everyday? Edward B. Johnson is one of those people. He plays golf everyday—Yes, EVERYDAY. Most times his spikes are on the greens at his home course, the beautiful Hillcrest Golf Course in Orangeburg, South Carolina where he holds the course record with a 62. Hillcrest is rated as one of the top municipal golf courses in the Carolinas, and Johnson, now in his mid-sixties, knows the par 72 course very well. He’s seen many good days playing its 6,722 yards from the longest tees.
It was Johnson’s close boyhood friend who initially got him involved in the game as a young caddie. At the time, neither was permitted to play on the course located in an all white community but they were permitted to ‘shag’ balls for those who booked tee-times there. Many days the two of them would sneak out on the course and play.
Johnson is readily known by his friends for his meek and humble spirit. A soft-spoken, polite gentleman, he stands a robust 5’11” and keeps himself in good physical shape. At first glance, looks like he could have been a great linebacker. “Everybody wants to play with him around these parts,” says his golfing buddy Harry Blake. “Players know that they can learn some good tips from Ed that will better their game.”
Keeping an active golfing calendar, Johnson can be spotted at many of the local outings, capturing low scores. In fact, he has a much-prized scrapbook overflowing with photos, newspaper clippings and memorabilia highlighting his recent and past victories. There were more than 300 at his last count.
“I started caddying at age 14 and I have played in two PRO-AMS in the Carolinas: Ollie Oliver Dawson State College (SC), 1987, where I tied for 2nd place; and in Charlie Sifford’s Pro AM, in Charlotte (NC), 1980, where I placed second,” says Johnson with his strong Southern accent.
For Johnson only bad weather conditions keep him off the course. “There has to be lightening in the area, or either the course has been torn down for him not to be out there,” claims his friend Harry Blake in a humerous tone.
In honor of his golfing talents Hillcrest Golf Club paid tribute to Johnson last year with a special roast held at The Boys Club in Orangeburg. There were about 12 of his golf partners in attendance and the dinner was emceed by his friend, Harry Blake. “We laughed and told jokes, while enjoying a scrumptious catered meal,” says Blake who has known Johnson for 4 years. The club also bought him a brand new set of clubs to mark the occasion.
Many people staunchly believe that Johnson could have gone pro and made it big during his prime. But at the time, he had just gotten married (42-years now) and did not want to leave his wife, Betty W. Johnson and their young family behind.
Johnson is a 0 handicap, a member of the Hillcrest Mens Association and Capital City. He volunteers with The First Tee organizations in Columbus (GA), Augusta (GA), and Florence, (SC). He particularly loves to visit his friend Conan Sanders in August, GA. “Conan is a very popular person in the African American golfing circuit. He been working and playing in golf tournaments for many years, and knows just about everybody,” says Johnson who hates to play by himself. “Now that school has opened up again, most of the guys are gone back, or are working with football teams.”
Johnson has three grown children: Sonia J. Dingle, Patrick D. Johnson, Tanisha J. and Edward Johnson Jr. Ed Junior is also a purple heart recipient and currently serving in the U.S. Army. None of his children play golf and it’s a missed opportunity to learn from one of the best, say many locals. This ‘man of his word’ is well-known for his hard playing honesty. He has caddied for 40-years, so he knows where the ball is going to go on his home course and many others. A devoted churchman Johnson takes time with people to teach them to play, and will not turn down an opportunity to help someone.
He’ll gladly show anyone how he tees his ball up high and hits it low; and then tee it low and hit it high. He’s never had any formal golf instruction and uses an unorthodox ‘baseball’ grip on his club which he says, “comes from playing little league baseball as a kid–and I just can’t change it.” Whenever somebody tries to straighten it out for him Johnson just belts out a big laugh.
During his career Johnson worked as a shipping clerk for Sara Lee, a packaged goods baking company, and then retired to golf EVERYDAY. For years he worked the night shift and when he clocked out of work, would go straight to the golf course, EVERYDAY. He did this for over 20 years and he never missed a day of work.
If you ever find Johnson not playing golf, he’s an excellent maintenance person with a knack for building cabinets, framing doors, fixing appliances and– believe it or not–he shoots a better game of pool than golf.
