Greg Johnson Inducted into Michigan Golf Hall of Fame
The man behind the Gaylord Golf Mecca’s member updates, entertaining blogs and countless magazine articles, Greg Johnson, recently received a tremendous honor in the golf industry. On October 27, 2024, Johnson joined the ranks of some of golf’s greatest as he was inducted into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame.
Everyone who has met Johnson knows he excels as a storyteller, which is why the Mecca reached out to him eight years ago to start telling our stories. “The Mecca had a need to fill, and Greg’s reputation is always two steps ahead of him,” said Paul Beachnau, executive director of the Gaylord Area Convention & Tourism Bureau, which presides over the Gaylord Golf Mecca. “I knew Greg would be a huge asset to our team, handling communications and public relations in a sector he was already known and respected in.”
Johnson has been a part of the golf world since he was a caddie during his youth. As he gained experience on the course, he was also honing his writing skills, a craft he excelled at from an early age. A graduate of the journalism program at Michigan State University, Johnson went on to work as a sports reporter/columnist for the Grand Rapids Press, a position he held for over 29 years.
More recently, Johnson has been in the business of providing a bevy of media skills to reputable associations, agencies and tournaments. Along with his fine-tuned freelance skills, Johnson is adept at golf photography, coordinating media services and offering vast historical insights. His individualized touch, genuine interest and ability to tell stories ripe with inspiration and humor has created friendships with athletes, peers and all those he meets along the way.
The Gaylord Golf Mecca isn’t alone in being fortunate enough to have Johnson’s keen skills on insights on their team. He is also instrumental in communications for the Golf Association of Michigan, the Michigan Section of the PGA, the Michigan Golf Course Superintendents Association and the Michigan Golf Course Association, among others.
Reflecting on the ceremony, Johnson shared, “Working in and around the golf industry has been a significant part of my life, in large part because I enjoyed doing it and it never seemed like work. I’ve been so fortunate to be involved with the Gaylord Golf Mecca. It’s a community and a family in a wonderful part of the world. Being inducted into the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame is beyond all goals I ever set for myself. I’m humbled and blessed.”
Beachnau concluded, “Our entire team and members were so proud to see Greg receive this honor. Having him tell the Mecca’s story is valuable, but Greg’s reach helps move the entire golf industry forward, one word at a time.”
