George “G.G.” Johnson passed away on March 29, 2014 after an extended illness. George was an instructor for the Urban Youth Golf Program (UYGP) and served on the UYGP Advisory Board since the program began in 1998. George loved working with youth and parents, teaching them the game he loved so much. In 1999 the Urban Youth Golf Program started a scholarship fund for graduating program youth and named it in his honor. Over the past 14 years, the George “G.G.” Johnson Scholarship Golf Scramble raised nearly $140,000 and awarded 32 scholarships to UYGP youth graduating high school. George also served on the Board of The First Tee of Louisville since its formation in 2005. George was loved and will be missed by the entire community.
George Johnson was the first and only African-American head golf pro in Kentucky. He began to learn the game at the age of 15 when he caddied at a segregated country club in Georgia. He turned pro in 1964 and qualified for the US Open in 1965. He received his tour card after successfully completing the PGA qualifying program (or graduating “Q” school) in 1968 and began playing in tournaments with the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Miller Barber and Tom Kite. In 1971 he won the Azalea Open and became the fourth African-American to ever win a PGA tournament. George spent a total of 10 years on the PGA Tour and three on the Senior Tour and was a Lifetime Member of the PGA. In 1997, George became the head golf pro at Bobby Nichols Golf Course here in Louisville Metro. His passion for the game translates to the young people he continued to teach through 2013. In 2008, he was inducted into the African-American Golfers Hall of Fame.
“George is a great loss to us. He was passionate about teaching youth not only the game of golf but also leadership and life skills that youth will use through out their life. He left too soon. We offer George’s family our deepest sympathy” said Ben Richmond, Louisville Urban League President.
Obituary: George “G.G.” Johnson, Jr. 1938-2014
The viewing and service information for Mr. George Johnson is as follows:
Viewing:
Friday April 4, 2014 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Gus Thornhill Funeral Home
1315 Gus Thornhill Jr. Drive
East Point, Georgia 30344
Service:
Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
Hoosier United Methodist Church
2545 Benjamin E. Mays Drive
Atlanta, Georgia 30311
