Mr. Gerald Johnson

20^th November 1956 – 28^th March 2025

President of Durham County Golf Union

Member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews

We are deeply saddened to announce that Gerry Johnson, President of Durham County Golf Union and Member of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, passed away peacefully in the early hours of Friday 28^th March 2025.

Gerry was our current County President, having been elected to the role at the AGM in January 2024. He had served the clubs and members of the Union with his drive, passion, enthusiasm and total commitment since his election to the Executive Committee in 2013.

Those traits were even more evident in his long-standing service to his beloved Bishop Auckland Golf Club, where he was the longest serving member of the club Committee, fulfilling various roles including Trustee, Greens Chair, Team Manager and Club Captain. Gerry is also the Immediate Past-Captain of Ganton Golf Club in Yorkshire.

He also used his professional training and experience to the benefit of the County Union, his club, its members and staff, by always being ready to provide advice on such things as management, policies and employment matters.

Gerry understood the need for golf in general to develop, to modernise and to effect change where necessary, but also to embrace and cherish the traditions of our game. The ethos of integrity, honour and sportsmanship sat deep within Gerry, and it made him a tremendous ambassador for golf in our County and beyond. When he spoke, people listened. What he said and the way he said it, garnered respect. Whether it was presenting trophies to our most junior players or County Colours to our County’s best players, whether he was addressing meetings, teams or guests at dinners, he always found the right things to say and a way to enthuse those listening. His influence on those he worked with and conversed will be long-lasting.

Gerry’s second year in his term as President was only just beginning and he was looking forward to it with great enthusiasm. The highlight was to be when he would host the Northern Counties Men’s Qualifying Championship at Bishop Auckland GC in August. Durham have won this event on only two occasions, the last being in 2004, and he was determined that Durham should win it this year. That determination is now transferred to our County players, who will be inspired to ‘do it for Gerry’.

Golf in County Durham has lost a figurehead, a stalwart, a fine gentleman and a friend, and he will be missed immensely by so many.

Rest in Peace, mate.