Last name 'Johnson?' You must be on the PGA TOUR
By Stan Awtrey, PGATOUR.COM Correspondent
What will you remember about the 2008 season? That was the simple question we asked PGATOUR.COM staffers and freelance contributors, who responded with a series of short essays that we will post during November (click here for the archive link).
Have you noticed? The world is filled with Johnsons. Just get the phone book out of the closet and take a look. The Atlanta phone book alone must have 20 pages of Johnsons, although that's strictly a guess since the type became too small to actually see five or six years ago and those names, upon magnification, might actually be Jones.
The same is true for towns and cities of all sizes. Johnsons, Johnsons, everywhere Johnsons.
Now the PGA TOUR has been overrun by Johnsons. Four Johnsons won tournaments this year: Zach Johnson, Richard S. Johnson, Dustin Johnson and Johnson Wagner. The TOUR may eventually match the NBA's embarrassment of Johnson riches, but it won't happen soon. Just the other day the Washington franchise opted to waive two Johnsons (DerMarr and Linton) on the same day.
Zach Johnson is the most notable Johnson on the PGA TOUR. He became one of the most popular young players after he won the 2007 Masters, but his success seemed to downshift for a time. But he reappeared in the winner's circle late this season to win the Valero Texas Open.
And never did he stray away from the Johnson now, unlike entertainer Caryn Johnson, who changed her named to Whoopi Goldberg, which is probably OK depending on your view. Or like Dwayne Johnson, who abandoned his name to become "The Rock." But "The Rock" has re-embraced his given name and has now returned to being called Dwayne Johnson (or perhaps D.J. if you have him on speed dial).
Richard S. Johnson is a 145-pound Swede who won the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee. He may be the most famous Swedish Johnson (or a close facsimile) since boxer Ingemar Johansson but doesn't come close to Scarlett Johansson in terms of loveliness. And don't get Richard S. Johnson confused with another TOUR player, Richard "No Initial" Johnson, the 220-pound Welshman who once worked at a Waffle House in Augusta.
Dustin Johnson, who won the Turning Stone Resort Championship, adds to the American Johnson lineage. In addition to spawning a hotel chain (Howard Johnson's) and a world-famous boardwalk popcorn stand (Johnson's Popcorn, Ocean City, N.J.), there have been two Johnson presidents, Andrew and Lyndon, although neither served a second term; a boxing champion (Jack Johnson); two strikeout kings (Walter Johnson and Randy Johnson, who is also the only Johnson to slay a bird with a thrown ball); and that dirty old man on "Laugh-In" (Arte Johnson).
Johnson Wagner won the Shell Houston Open, which earned him an 11th hour berth in the Masters. His favorite Johnson is Jimmy Johnson -- but he can't decide if he favors the guy who races cars or the one with the good hair who used to coach the Dallas Cowboys.
Those four Johnsons could have company next year. There are three additional Johnsons playing on the Nationwide Tour: Andrew, Kevin and Tom. If they crash the party, outsiders will start looking at the PGA TOUR in a different light.
Stan Awtrey, a PGATOUR.COM correspondent and former golf writer of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, would like to recognize all other notable Johnsons, including Magic, Don, Johnson & Johnson (great Band-Aids!) and the handful of Johnsons who work at the PGA TOUR offices.
Shop your favorite brand name golf equipment and accessories at SHOP.PGATOUR.COM
PGATOUR.com is part of Turner - SI Digital, part of the Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network 