John W. Dawson (December 20, 1902 â January 6, 1986) was an American amateur golfer and golf course architect.
Dawson was born in Chicago, Illinois. Although he was a lifelong amateur golfer, his amateur status was rescinded by the United States Golf Association (USGA) for a time due to his employment with the Spalding sporting goods company. Dawson's amateur status was eventually restored and he competed in several USGA events. He was runner-up, at the age of 44, to Skee Riegel in 1947 U.S. Amateur. Dawson played on the winning 1949 Walker Cup team. He was also runner-up in 1958 U.S. Senior Amateur.
As a golf course architect, he designed and built Marrakesh Country Club, the Seven Lakes, Thunderbird, El Dorado, and La Quinta Country Clubs.
Dawson also won the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) amateur championship four times between 1942 and 1952.
Dawson lived in Palm Springs. He was married to the puppetteer Velma Wayne Dawson.
In 2007, Dawson was inducted into the SCGA Hall of Fame.
Note: all wins were as an amateur
Source:
Amateur