Vincent Johnson Named Assistant Director of Portland Golf Program

Portland Parks & Recreation announces that Vincent Johnson is the new Assistant Director for Portland Public Golf. Johnson, a Portland native and professional player, joins longtime Golf Manager John Zoller to oversee the City’s six public golf courses and to expand the game of golf’s appeal and reach. Portland Public Golf is approaching 100 years of serving Portlanders.

Johnson began his position on October 13, 2016. He is one of the most accomplished players to ever come out of Portland. Johnson earned his finance degree, with a minor in music, in just three years while on a golf scholarship at Oregon State University.  Johnson is a professional golfer who has competed in tournaments on the PGA Tour and on the Web.com tour. He won the 2010 Long Beach Open, one of the biggest mini tour events on the West Coast, competing as a professional.

“Vincent has an amazing ability to assess a course or golf facility, and key in on elements that can help it serve the needs of both established and aspiring golfers,” says Portland Public Golf Manager John Zoller. “He has all kinds of fresh ideas, and is remarkably selfless. Vincent wants to give back to the sport, and to the City, which have helped shape his life so much to this point.  This is an exciting time for golf in Portland, as we continue our century of service with efforts towards making the lifelong sport more appealing, accessible and enjoyable for our growing and changing city. Vincent knows the game of golf and the golf industry inside and out. He will help with making golf a more attractive to historically underrepresented communities – including communities of color - and make equitable recreation option for our current and future generations of Portland golfers.”

An accomplished concert pianist, Johnson has also begun work on his MBA at Oregon State. Johnson won his first tournament, a five-hole event at Glendoveer Golf course in Portland, at age 8.

“Like so many Portlanders, my golf story and Portland Public Golf will be forever linked,” says Johnson. “I've experienced every human emotion on our City courses, from the joy of victory to tear-inducing defeat, Portland Public Golf helped provide the foundation for my collegiate and professional golf career. I hope to help create more stories like mine, as well as to guide aspiring youth and players of color to become involved with the game. No matter how people may have viewed golf historically, we aim to make the sport open and appealing to all. I look forward to helping all Portlanders enjoy the lifelong recreational pastime, and all the other opportunities the game can offer.”

Portland Public Golf offers affordable, quality golf to Portland's residents and visitors. Our five golf courses are conveniently located around the metro area to offer unparalleled access to our nationally recognized courses: Eastmoreland, Heron Lakes - Great Blue, Heron Lakes - Greenback, RedTail,Rose City, and the newly acquired Colwood Golf Course.

“In the end, no matter where we go with our golf, it all starts with a beginning,” says Johnson. “It all starts with a place to play. It's an honor to fill the role of Assistant Golf Director for the City of Portland. I couldn't be more excited to go to work for a city that has given me so much and to share a game that I am so deeply passionate about. We are close to the 100th year of Portland Public Golf, and I cannot wait to help usher in the next century for all Portlanders.”