Long time local golf volunteer and Northwest golf icon, Carl Jonson passed away Tuesday, April 14.  Carl was 92 years of age.

Carl excelled as a leader in all he accomplished during his long and remarkable life.  He was a golf champion and volunteer, respected Seattle area attorney, wonderful family man, and community leader.  It is safe to say that without Carl and his brother Ernie (Jonson) carrying the Pacific Northwest Golf Association (PNGA) through the 1960’s and 1970’s, the association would have likely disbanded and would not exist as we know it today. 

Carl provided the leadership and legal expertise as a PNGA Director and officer during four decades, serving as PNGA President from 1965-1967. He annually made the arrangements for Northwest golf clubs to host PNGA championships and then would travel to each of them, sporting his navy blue blazer and PNGA pocket logo, and assist in conducting them.  Ernie provided office space and administrative staff for the Association, at no cost, from his downtown Seattle accounting offices for over a decade.

Carl was an integral part of the creation of many PNGA services and activities, including organized electronic handicapping service (among the first in the nation), creating the PNGA Senior Men’s Amateur Championship (1965), and the PNGA Hall of Fame (1978).  He was also a long time supporter of the Evans Caddie Scholarship program in the Northwest.

In 1966, Carl the driving force in bringing together the leading golf associations from the western U.S. to initiate the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship.  The inaugural event was played at Seattle Golf Club in 1967 and drew the attention of legendary USGA Executive Director, Joe Dey, who attended.  Today, the Pacific Coast Amateur Championship is regarded as one of the premier competitions in amateur golf.

A life dedicated to growing the game

Carl was also one of the founding members of Sahalee Country in the late 1960’s.  He also served as Club President from 1967-1970.  When Sahalee hosted the 1998 PGA Championship, it was the realization of a dream of Carl’s to host a major championship.  Carl was honored to serve as General Chairman of the event.  Sahalee Country Club will also host the 2010 U.S. Senior Open Championship, following the legacy of championship golf that Carl helped establish at the club.

Carl was inducted into the PNGA Hall of Fame in 1987.  He also served on the USGA Sectional Affairs Committee (now Regional Affairs Committee) for 20 years.  He was also a participant and served as Captain of the Hudson Cup Team.

In 1997, the PNGA awarded Carl and Ernie their inaugural Distinguished Service Award, the Association’s highest honor, in an emotional ceremony before 150 PNGA Club Representatives at the Annual Meeting at Fircrest Golf Club.  Upon accepting his award, Carl stated that “I could not be more proud of the organization the PNGA has become . . . it was a labor of love for Ernie and I to be a part of the PNGA and we know its future is bright.”

Article courtesy of the PGNA