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An upcoming Pro-Am Tournament set for Tuesday, Aug. 18 at Elmwood Country Club will honor the legacy of the late Jerry Johnson, the course's longtime former golf pro who passed away in 2020 at the age of 70, while raising money to support the Marshalltown Education Partnership (MEP), a longstanding collaborative effort between the Marshalltown Community School District (MCSD) and Marshalltown Community College (MCC), as well as MCC athletic scholarships.
Johnson, a class of 1968 MHS graduate and Iowa Golf Association Hall of Famer, served as the golf pro at his hometown country club for 30 years before retiring in 2014, and his successor in the role, Jay Giannetto, spoke about the impact he made during his tenure.
"To me, it just made sense to carry forward with a Pro-Am that would continue honoring what he was about, which was growing the game, relationships, community, as well as the Iowa PGA, so it just makes sense," Giannetto said.
Johnson's wife Debra and his two daughters, Kate and Erin, were fully onboard with the idea, and Giannetto said he hopes to see Johnson's grandsons participate. When the Elmwood Golf Committee decided to move forward with the idea, they contacted Emerson about serving as the title sponsor, and they agreed while also pushing to use the funds raised to benefit the MEP.
Longtime Emerson-Fisher executive and golf enthusiast Terry Buzbee served as the president of the MEP board for 20 years.
MCC Athletic Director Whitney Sowers added that she is excited for the event, and Giannetto, who described Johnson as an important mentor on his own journey, is proud to honor him in this way.
"Knowing Jerry, he probably wouldn't want the attention, but he just did so much for golf in this community, and to be able to carry it forward, to recognize him and what he means is important for me," he said. "I grew up out here and Jerry was the head golf professional. And I remember, when I was younger, thinking 'Man, it'd be pretty cool to have that job.' And it just so happened to work out... Kudos for all the community people that have stepped up so far from a sponsorship standpoint, Emerson (especially). It's gonna be a great event."
The deadline to register is Wednesday, Aug. 12, and a link to do so can be found at https://iowapga.bluegolf.com/bluegolf/iowapga26/event/iowapga2631/index.htm.