Mark Johnson (golfer)
Encyclopedia
Mark William "Beer Man" Johnson (born May 22, 1954) is an American
professional golfer
who plays on the Champions Tour
.
Johnson was born in Barstow, California
. He decided to forgo college and turned pro directly out of high school in 1972; he played on mini-tours around Southern California
for two years, a decision which he regrets. Unable to support himself financially, Johnson regained his amateur status and for the next 18 years earned a living driving a Budweiser
truck while continuing to hone his skills in amateur tournaments.
In 1998, at the age of 45, Johnson parked his beer truck and regained his professional status. With the sponsorship of his long-time employer, H Olson Distributing of Barstow, and a handful of local businessmen, Johnson played five years on the Canadian Tour and a year on the Nationwide Tour
to prepare for the Champions Tour
, which he joined after reaching the age of 50 in May 2004.
Johnson won his first Champions Tour event at the 2005 Toshiba Senior Classic in his 14th start. He won in spectacular fashion holing out an 89 yard wedge shot for an eagle at the 510 yard par-5 18th hole.
Johnson's status as a former beer truck driver has earned him somewhat of a cult following from Champions Tour galleries. It is not uncommon to hear someone shout, "Way to Go Beer Man" during rounds. Johnson embraces the Beer Man persona, and has even named his personal website beermangolf.com. He lives in Helendale, California
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional golfer
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
who plays on the Champions Tour
Champions Tour
The Champions Tour, a golf tour run by the PGA Tour, hosts a series of events annually in the United States and the United Kingdom for golfers 50 years of age and older. Many of the PGA Tour's most successful golfers have gone on to play on the Champions Tour.The Senior PGA Championship, founded in...
.
Johnson was born in Barstow, California
Barstow, California
Barstow is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. The population was 22,639 at the 2010 census, up from 21,119 at the 2000 census. Barstow is located north of San Bernardino....
. He decided to forgo college and turned pro directly out of high school in 1972; he played on mini-tours around Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
for two years, a decision which he regrets. Unable to support himself financially, Johnson regained his amateur status and for the next 18 years earned a living driving a Budweiser
Budweiser (Anheuser-Busch)
Budweiser is a 5.0% abv American-style lager introduced in 1876 by Adolphus Busch and one of the highest selling beers in the United States. It is made with up to 30% rice in addition to hops and barley malt. Budweiser is produced in various breweries located around the world...
truck while continuing to hone his skills in amateur tournaments.
In 1998, at the age of 45, Johnson parked his beer truck and regained his professional status. With the sponsorship of his long-time employer, H Olson Distributing of Barstow, and a handful of local businessmen, Johnson played five years on the Canadian Tour and a year on the Nationwide Tour
Nationwide Tour
The Nationwide Tour is the developmental tour for the U.S.-based PGA Tour, and features professional golfers who have either failed to score well enough at that level's Qualifying School to earn their PGA Tour card, or who have done so but then failed to win enough money to stay at that level...
to prepare for the Champions Tour
Champions Tour
The Champions Tour, a golf tour run by the PGA Tour, hosts a series of events annually in the United States and the United Kingdom for golfers 50 years of age and older. Many of the PGA Tour's most successful golfers have gone on to play on the Champions Tour.The Senior PGA Championship, founded in...
, which he joined after reaching the age of 50 in May 2004.
Johnson won his first Champions Tour event at the 2005 Toshiba Senior Classic in his 14th start. He won in spectacular fashion holing out an 89 yard wedge shot for an eagle at the 510 yard par-5 18th hole.
Johnson's status as a former beer truck driver has earned him somewhat of a cult following from Champions Tour galleries. It is not uncommon to hear someone shout, "Way to Go Beer Man" during rounds. Johnson embraces the Beer Man persona, and has even named his personal website beermangolf.com. He lives in Helendale, California
Helendale, California
Helendale is an unincorporated community located in San Bernardino County, California, on historic Route 66 west of the Mojave Freeway, between Barstow and Victorville, in the Victor Valley. It includes the Helendale resort community of Silver Lakes.-History:...
.
Amateur wins (9)
- 1972 (1) CIF Championship (individual event)
- 1989 (1) SCGA Mid-Amateur
- 1990 (1) SCGA Tournament of Club Champions
- 1993 (1) SCGA Mid-Amateur
- 1994 (2) SCGA Mid-Amateur, Pacific Coast AmateurPacific Coast AmateurThe Pacific Coast Amateur is an annual amateur golf tournament. It has been played since 1967 and is organized by the Pacific Coast Golf Association...
- 1996 (2) California State Amateur, SCGA Tournament of Club Champions
- 1997 (1) SCGA Tournament of Club Champions