It’s been 28 years since Zach Johnson last played a round of golf at the Wakonda Club.
That all changed on June 9, though, when the native of Cedar Rapids had the opportunity to hit the links at his old stomping grounds, one of the many Des Moines courses where the Drake alum played college golf.
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He has returned to his home state for the Principal Charity Classic, a stop on the PGA Tour Champions circuit for golfers over the age of 50, a milestone Johnson hit toward the end of February. He will compete in the tournament, which runs June 12-14.
And the opportunity to play on a professional-level course like the one at Wakonda is part of what Johnson credits with his development.
“We played here quite a bit,” Johnson said during a press conference on June 10. “We were spoiled. Part of the reason that we were pretty darn good is that this town in itself is spoiled with really good golf courses.
“Looking back on it, you know, all different varieties of golf and so when we competed in golf tournaments, more times than not, the courses were easier. We were tested; we were ready. That was a luxury.”
The Iowan joined the PGA Tour Champions this spring and immediately made his mark, winning his debut event, the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational, in early March. He has competed in six events since winning that first title, and Johnson placed in the top five in all but one of those tournaments.
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With a successful start to his first year on the PGA Tour Champions, Johnson returns to his home state with the potential to win on the same course he played on as a college student.
If that comes with any added pressure, Johnson didn’t show it.
“If you would have asked me that 25 years ago, when I played in the first John Deere Classic…I don’t know what I would have said. I was a deer in headlights, but I was trying,” Johnson said when asked if there was pressure that comes with being the “hometown” player in this year’s tournament.
“At this point, it’s all gravy. I’m playing at a place I love, in a town I love, with people I love. What I’ve experienced around these parts is it really doesn’t matter if I shoot 85 or 65 —it does to me — but I appreciate that. Whether it’s kids or adults…they sense that it’s pretty cool to have me back here, and I’m grateful for that.”
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Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Zach Johnson returns to Iowa for Principal Charity Classic in Des Moines
