Dustin Johnson is The Masters’ 2020 champion.

He won this prestigious event as the world’s number 1 ranked golfer. He took a 4-shot lead into the final round and extended it, breaking The Masters scoring record which makes his 268 total, the best in the history of the event.

“I was nervous, but after about the second hole, I decided to stop looking at the leader board and just play my game,” a smiling Johnson said during his postround interview. “I thought if I just tried my best to play my game, to hit the shots I new I needed to hit, I would be alright.

“Walking up 18, Austin asked me if I wanted to know where I was (in relation to the lead), and based on his expression (he was all watered up) I just said I have to keep playing and finish this off”,

It’s the most emotion displayed publicly by the Dutch Fork grad, who smiled nonstop during his post-round interview. He repeatedly referenced that The Masters was the 1 he dreamed of winning most as a child.

Here was an uplifting post-round highlight for me, when asked who he wanted to call 1st after his victory. He quickly answered “my children, because of access restriction, they could not be here so I face-timed them.”

The next thing that impressed me was he actually choked up with emotion with his eyes, bubbling in 1 of his first interviews after signing his scorecard.

Since 1992, this column has been fueled by pointing out how special our golf community is and why. There are more passionate competent golf experts concentrated close in proximity than anyone in this community can appreciate.

I not only saw Dustin get his start in the game, I saw his dad as welll. Scott Johnson got a late start, but he got real good real quick.

Jimmy Koosa, who now owns Koosa Golf, mentored Scott at Weed Hill driving range. Then, I saw Koosa mentor both father and son at Weed Hill.

Scott was so passionate, he got into the business soon became a PGA professional. He worked as an apprentice at Oak Hills Golf Club and later served as Mid-Carolina Club’s golf professional in the early 90s.

Mid-Carolina Club is where Dustin played much as a young child getting started.

Weed Hill driving range was one of Dustin’s go to learning and practice grounds with Koosa teaching both he and Scott early.

But there were others that had golf influence on Dustin as a child. Kevin Britt, who taught at Weed Hill during this era, was extremely influential during Johnson’s high school years. Local golf pros in the community encouraged Dustin, as they do many juniors in inviting them out to play.

Pros like Rick Lang, a professional at Golden Hills, Greg McBride, NorthWoods, Chris Miller, Ron Stephenson and Coldstream Country Club were just a few.

Mark Giles was Dustin’s high school coach at Dutch Fork while Buddy Bostian was the director of the SCJGA Tri-County Chapter which is where Dustin got his start in competition golf.

It takes a community in this game and Dustin’s story is a bit like my son Wesley’s who earned his way on to the PGA Tour. The local courses and pros all were incredibly gracious allowing not just these 2 players, but many others to explore discover and develop their games.

Speaking of local golf courses, the “Winter Tour” which is a very special family-based recreational golf program starts in a few weeks. Please visit your local recreation centers website to learn more.

ICRC, LRAC and RCRC are supporting the program this season. Juniors of all skill levels, new to advanced ages 7-18, learn and play on the actual course with parents serving as caddies, guides or fans.

There will be 16 local courses supporting this program in its 29th year. For details, call 803-603-1718.