This article and photos provided by the LA County Parks and Recreation Department. ed.
Johnson to oversee nation’s largest public golf course system with 20 golf courses
“I’m excited to share I’ve joined Los Angeles County Parks to serve as their Golf Director. The welcoming I’ve received from LA County Parks leadership, the golf department team, colleagues, course operators and partners has been inspiring as I begin to embrace this robust golf system—as broad and diverse as its patrons and neighbors.
This transition is a profound one for me, and wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for my roots—from growing up as a young public golfer in East Portland all the way to leading the Golf Program at Portland Parks and Recreation for six memorable years.
I carry the greatest pride when sharing my Portland story and how the contributions municipal golf can make in people’s lives stretches to every corner of our nation.
Golf is an amazing connector, and I look forward to using it to meet and grow with the communities of LA county.”
After a nationwide search, the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (LA County Parks) has named Vincent Johnson as the department’s new Golf Director. Johnson will oversee 20 golf courses at 18 different sites – the nation’s largest public golf course system.
Johnson, a Portland, Ore. native and former professional player, most recently served as Golf Director for Portland Parks and Recreation. In this role he expanded Portland city’s golf program by developing youth and community programming, organizing community outreach events, bringing golf to underserved communities, partnering with local media, and developing trust with neighborhood stakeholders.
“LA County Parks is proud to steward the largest public municipal golf course system in the country with 1.3 million rounds of golf played year-round. As LA County positions itself to be the world capital of sports, I am excited to have Vincent Johnson lead our Golf Division,” said Norma E. García-González, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation. “Vincent is passionate about the game of golf and has demonstrated experience in managing the complexities of a municipal golf course system. I am confident that Vincent will build on LA County Parks’ commitment to increase and diversify community access to golf, including expanding our youth programs which offer low-cost golf. The future of LA County Golf is bright!”
At Portland Parks and Recreation Johnson also served as Assistant Director of Golf. He began playing golf at age six and competed in tournaments on the PGA Tour. In 2010, Johnson won the Long Beach Open in Southern California. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Oregon State University.
“I am thrilled to join LA County Parks. Some of my highest golf achievements were in LA County, and that helped me understand the profound, everyday impact the LA County golf system has on the vibrant, diverse communities they serve,” Johnson said. “As a lifelong public golfer, I know how important it is to have accessible entry points into the game to broaden golf’s reach. That’s my passion, and I look forward to building on LA County Parks’ success to connecting even more people to the game and our facilities.”
Johnson’s 15 years of experience in the golf industry include: improving affordability and user experience for younger golfers ages 19 to 29 with a new program that reached 3,100 members last year; serving as public golf spokesperson to Portland, Ore.; and initiating and relaunching a scholarship program that targeted diverse high school student caddies. At LA County Parks, Johnson will oversee a golf system that stretches from the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains to the coastline of the Pacific Ocean.
The LA County golf courses feature affordable greens fees to the public, discount programs for senior citizens and juniors, and a popular junior golf camp program. There are also driving ranges, pro shops and most courses offer a coffee shop or clubhouse.
About the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation
The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation manages 182 parks. It also operates a network of 9 regional parks, 38 neighborhood parks, 20 community parks, 16 wildlife sanctuaries, 8 nature centers, 41 public swimming pools, 23 splash pads, 14 lakes including 3 with swimming beaches, more than 240 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and the largest municipal golf system in the nation, consisting of 20 golf courses at 18 facilities. The department also maintains four botanical centers: The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, the South Coast Botanic Garden, Descanso Gardens, and Virginia Robinson Gardens. The department also owns the iconic Hollywood Bowl, and the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre (The Ford), providing County residents with valuable entertainment and cultural resources. Visit: https://parks.lacounty.gov/
