walter irving johnson

[Don Fox]

I'm trying to find out what happened to Walter Irving Johnson in his later years after he left Donald Ross.  In 1958-59 we had a Walter Johnson as our pro at Klinger Lake CC in Sturgis, MI. An older member of the club says that Mr Johnson was a very distinguished older gentleman who was in his early sixties which would agree with Mr. Johnson's birth date of 1895.  He was a good golfer and an expert gunsmith.  this older member says that Mr Johnson mentioned the North Kingstown CC in RI.  I'm trying to assemble information for a 100 year history for our club.  Did Mr Johnson become a golf pro in his later years?  When did he die and where is he buried as that might be a clue to finding out more about him.  Unfortunately our club kept very poor records at the time and they don't even have his middle name recorded.  There are also a lot of Walter Johnson's but the fact that he mentioned the course in RI seems quite unusual.   Any help you can give would be helpful.  Don Fox

[Cliff Hamm]

Indeed, Walter Johnson is given credit for the design on the club's website. Locally NK,a muni, is known as Quansett.  It is located on the former Navy base where the Quonset hut was invented.

The most unique characteristic is that it borders a National Guard airport.  The 13th and 14th holes are separated from the airport  by a chain link fence.  It is common to hear the roar of engines as planes take off and land. The landing strip is no more than 100 yards or so from the course.