Johnny Golden

Johnny Golden (April 2, 1896 – January 27, 1936) was an American professional golfer.

Career In 1896, Golden was born in Tuxedo, New York.

In 1915, Golden turned professional. He was an assistant pro and later head pro at the Tuxedo Club until 1929. That year he took the head job at North Jersey Country Club in Wayne, New Jersey. During his time at the Tuxedo Club, he was a three-time semifinalist in the PGA Championship. In 1922, he lost to Emmet French. In 1926, he dropped a semifinal match to Leo Diegel, and the following year he lost in the semis to Joe Turnesa.

Golden remained in Wayne for just a year, leaving for the head professional job at Wee Burn Country Club near Darien, Connecticut. While serving as the pro at Wee Burn, Golden won four consecutive Connecticut Open titles (1932–35), with the 1932, 1933 and 1935 events retroactively garnering PGA Tour-level status. His most lucrative win came in 1931, at the Agua Caliente Open in Mexico. Golden finished regulation tied with George Von Elm at 293. The duo agreed prior to the playoff to split first- and second-prize money, a common practice, with each player pocketing $6,750. Golden went on to win the playoff. Without the agreement, he would have won $10,000.

Golden played on the first two Ryder Cup teams in 1927 and 1929, compiling a perfect 3-0-0 record, with an 8 & 7 rout of Herbert Jolly in singles in 1927 at Worcester Country Club. His two other Ryder Cup match wins came with Walter Hagen as his teammate, winning foursomes in 1927

Personal life In January 1936, Golden died at age 39 in Stamford, Connecticut from pneumonia.

Awards and honors In 2000, Golden was elected to the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame.

Professional wins (10) PGA Tour wins (9) 1927 (1) New Jersey Open 1928 (1) New Jersey Open 1929 (2) La Jolla Open, New Jersey Open 1931 (1) Agua Caliente Open 1932 (2) North and South Open, Connecticut Open 1933 (1) Connecticut Open 1935 (1) Connecticut Open

Source:

Other wins this list may be incomplete 1934 Connecticut Open

Results in major championships

NYF = Tournament not yet founded R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play "T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary Most consecutive cuts made – 31 (all) Longest streak of top-10s – 4 (1921 PGA – 1923 PGA)