Member Spotlight

When Alan Johnson was just 10 years old he lived in Amarillo, Texas, about a mile from Ross Rogers Golf Course.  He found a hole in the fence that surrounded the course, and for a few weeks he snuck under the fence and played several holes each day.  One day when he was playing, a gentleman in a golf cart approached him and gave him the typical West Texas, ‘Boy, come with me’ line. The man, Vern Farquahar, took him back to the golf shop where he questioned him about how long he had been sneaking onto the golf course. When Alan told him it had just been a few weeks, Vern decided to strike up a deal. Vern said that he would not call the police, but every morning Alan had to come to the course and empty all the trashcans and clean the front porch of the golf shop. If he did this, he could then play all the golf he wanted to for the rest of the day. To Alan it seemed like a fair deal and that is when Alan began making his career in golf.

“I grew up with my dad playing golf and caddying for him as well,” Johnson said. “He introduced me to the game and mentored me from a young age, but my urge to keep playing is what resulted in my first ‘job in golf!’ I continued to work on courses all throughout my childhood.”

Alan went on to play college golf at West Texas State in Canyon, Texas, and is now the PGA head professional at Canyon Creek Country Club. He has been a PGA Member for 26 years. In June, he will be celebrating 21 years spent at Canyon Creek Country Club! In his time there he served as Regional Director of Golf for the 14 clubs that Club Corp has in our region.

“I have been with Canyon Creek and Club Corp for this long by being very consistent and very open and friendly,” Johnson said. “I have always tried to make the atmosphere in the golf shop friendly and welcoming. I feel that the key to my successful career has been my ability to get along with most everyone I come into contact with.”  

Outside of golf, Alan enjoys fishing, working on his land and spending time with his grandchildren. 

“I have a place north of town with a few acres of land where I raise animals and enjoy the country,” Johnson said. “I raise my own beef and do some farming. Most people think I live in town somewhere, but my family and I like the country life style.”