Dustin Johnson: The Essence of Golf
Who is Dustin Johnson? DJ was born on June 22, 1984 in South Carolina. Johnson’s dad was the head pro at the Mid Carolina Club and around age 6, Justin started hitting the ball around. It wasn’t long that DJ developed a passion for the game. As a kid, he excelled quickly just as he did when qualifying for the PGA. While in the 7th grade, Justin made the Irmo High School Varsity Team. Then at the age of 14, DJ shot two 64’s on consecutive days setting records at the Coldstream Country Club and the Golden Hills Golf & Country Club in Lexington. That same year, he won the State Junior Championship. Johnson was a 7 time NCAA winner.
After graduating, he attended Coastal Carolina University and received All-Big South honors at the Big South Conference Championship during his freshman year. Later, he also won the Monroe Invitational and the Northeast Amateur. He also played on the winning 2007 Walker Cup and Palmer Cup teams.
In 2007, DJ qualified in the PGA and the rest is history. Another interesting fact, which is very similar to Phil Mickelson, is when the mainstream media starts pouncing on you, it’s probably the opposite of what they say. These days the media is unjustifiably criticizing DJ for joining LIV Golf, as they are with all the players that started playing on the LIV tour. But lets look at the essence of Dustin Johnson.
Dustin has become very successful as a golfer and financially and is now pioneering a new age of golf by having the courage to join LIV Golf amidst all the criticism and negativity that the PGA heads, the media and even that which other PGA players are generating. We always hear about athletes that are helping communities and the game, but how many times have you heard of what Dustin Johnson, the man, is doing to help the youth enter the great game of golf, regardless of their economic upbringing?
The Dustin Johnson Foundation mission statement says: “The Dustin Johnson Foundation offers opportunities for youth to learn, play and contend, ultimately giving them a competitive edge on and off the course.” The foundation offers a tiered approach from teaching youth the game, taking it to the course, then applying it with opportunities and scholarships to play in all types of competition. Wayne Gretzky is also a board member of DJ’s foundation and is a passionate golfer.
Just three words make Dustin Johnson”DJ”, the essence of golf and they are “Helping The Youth”. The Tee Box Times is proud to include Dustin Johnson and The DJ Foundation as “The Essence of Golf”. It’s not hard to instinctively decipher one’s character when they’re around kids and DJ’s genuine desire to help the youth learn and succeed in golf is apparent.
To learn more about DJ’s foundation, click here: The Dustin Johnson Foundation
Watch DJ on the LIV Tour in Boston on September 2-4, 2002. Go to LIVGolf.com for more info.
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