MEET CHUCK JOHNSON
My Story
I grew up in Dallas, a small town near Charlotte, North Carolina. I have been a teaching professional since 1986. My first coach was PGA Master Golf Instructor and Carolina´s Golf Hall of Famer, Bruce Sudderth.
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I began my teaching career at the age of 23 at the Jack Nicklaus Academy of Golf in Orlando, Florida. I was introduced to the biomechanics of the golf swing by Dr. Ralph Mann and Fred Griffin, co-authors of the technical book: "Swing Like a Pro".
After 2 years I accepted a position at Lake Nona Country Club, a private club in Orlando, Florida. David Leadbetter was Director of Golf at the time and Gregor Jamieson was Head Pro. Both are voted Top 100 Teachers in the USA. Working at Lake Nona allowed me to study and assist in the teaching and training habits of some of the best players in the world.
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In 1992 I accepted a position as a Head Teaching Professional in Europe. While teaching in Austria I was able to develop my own style based on the best of everything that I had been taught by the Masters. I continued to apply this knowledge and worked for 15 years in Austria and Switzerland developing into a reputable teacher, as well as a Top 10 PGA Order of Merit player.
In 2006 my wife and I decided to move back to her hometown, Cape Town, South Africa. It is there that I built my own practice facility and founded the Chuck Johnson Golf Academy.
In 2009, in preparation for the European Senior PGA Tour, we accepted an offer to bring the Chuck Johnson Golf Academy to Golf Club Schloß Frauenthal in Styria, Austria.
In 2020, with two teenage sons, we decided to relocate back to Mount Holly, NC with the intention of continuing the Chuck Johnson Golf Academy.
Work Experience
1987 – 1988: Assistant Golf Pro – Grand Cypress, Orlando, Florida USA
1989 – 1991: Assistant Golf Pro at Lake Nona Country Club, Orlando, Florida USA.
1992 – 1998: Teaching Pro at various clubs in Austria.
1999 – 2003: Teaching Pro at Golf Club Schinznach Bad, Aargau, Switzerland.
2003 – 2007: Founder and Teaching Pro at the Chuck Johnson Golf Academy, Melkbos, Cape Town, South Africa.
2007 – 2008: Seasonal Head Pro for the Claude Grenier Golf School in Metzenhof, Upper Austria, Austria.
2008 – 2009: Teaching Professional for Gordon Manson at Golf Club Kaiserburg, Carinthia, Austria.
2009 – 2020: Owner and Head Pro – Chuck Johnson Golf Academy, Styria, Austria.
Playing Experience
1987: PGA Tour, Greater Greensboro Open, NC, USA. Qualifying Round of 67. Tournament Round 78-76; missed cut.
1998: Austrian Open (Challenge Tour); 68-69-66-74; tied for 15th.
2006: European PGA Tour, South African Open. Qualifying Round of 66. Tournament Round 75-75; missed cut.
2008: Sunshine Tour SAA Pro Am invitational. Shot 72-71-76; tied for 43rd.
2013: Senior Division Winner at the Austrian PGA Championship, Metzenhof, Upper Austria.
2014: ISPS Handa PGA Senior Tour Championships, UK. Qualifying Round of 70. Tournament Round 77-74
2014: Senior British Open Qualifyer, Porthcawl, Wales, UK. Qualifying Round of 72. First Alternate.
Scenes from the 2014 Senior British Open in Porthcawl, Southern Wales, UK
Observing Tom Watson´s technique
Me (yellow shirt), Fred Couples and Tom Watson
Me (yellow shirt) and Fred Couples on the putting green