Johnny Dawson

Who was Johnny Dawson?

John W. Dawson was an American amateur golfer and golf course architect.

Dawson was born in Chicago, Illinois. Although he was a lifelong amateur golfer, his amateur status was rescinded by the United States Golf Association for a time due to his employment with the Spalding sporting goods company. His amateur status was eventually restored and he competed in several USGA events. He was runner-up to Skee Riegel in 1947 U.S. Amateur. He played on the winning 1949 U.S. Walker Cup team. He was also runner-up in 1958 U.S. Senior Amateur

As a developer, he designed and built the Seven Lakes, Thunderbird, El Dorado, and La Quinta Country Clubs; he lived in Palm Springs.

Dawson won the Southern California Golf Association amateur championship four times between 1942 and 1952, and was inducted into the SCGA Hall of Fame in 2007.