Danny Johnston can succinctly summarize his stint in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army.
“I had 18 parachute jumps and 17 successful landings,” Johnston explained wryly.
Johnston, who was raised as one of seven in Peoria, joined the Army at the age of 17 for guidance in his formative years.
“I just kind of grew up in the Army,” he explained.
He began as an armored reconnaissance scout before joining the 82nd in 1970. Knee injuries sustained from the unsuccessful jump led to his reassignment as a drill sergeant and recruiter. When all was said and done, Johnston’s Army career spanned 22 years and included being stationed at Fort Bragg, South Korea, Fort Knox and, eventually, his hometown. He ultimately achieved the rank of sergeant major, the highest enlisted rank in the Army.
“[Being promoted to sergeant major] says I did something that was worthwhile and recognizable to those who want to see you advance and get promoted,” Johnston said. “I have to look at that as the singular most important thing.”
It was early on in his Army tenure when Johnston was first introduced to golf by his first sergeant while stationed at Fort Bragg.
“He knew that I had never played before, but he was willing to help me learn the game,” Johnston recalled. “It was not pretty starting out. Thank goodness he had a lot of patience. He was not deterred by my constant hacking and my desire to swing a 9-iron like a Louisville Slugger. I played every chance I got.”
Eventually, however, various reassignments and relocations led to a golfing hiatus for Johnston that lasted about 20 years until he retired from the Army Corps of Engineers in 2015.
“That’s when I picked up golf again and have not stopped since,” Johnston said.
In 2019, he encountered the Veteran Golfers Association (VGA), a nationwide group that provides various golfing opportunities for former servicemen and women. A constant experience of Johnston and the other VGA members is the unique bond that can only be felt by those who have served alongside one another.
“There’s just that camaraderie that you feel every time you get with that group of men and women,” Johnston explained.
The Illinois chapter partners with the CDGA to offer discounted memberships and unique playing opportunities, including the CDGA VGA Two-Person Veterans Cup Series. Johnston partnered with Jerry Quintiliani and earned the Flight 2 Net title in last year’s Championship at Cantigny Golf. They’re partnered again together for the 2026 series in hopes of earning more hardware.
“We are hyped up that we’re going to do it again this year and hopefully continue on the success,” Johnston said.
It’s been more than 50 years since the 73-year-old first picked up a golf club while stationed at Fort Bragg. Yet, the passion for the game and camaraderie with his fellow veterans is what defines this stage of Johnston’s life.
“It’s cathartic for me,” Johnston said. “It's kind of what I live for – to participate in those events and play golf.”
Casey Richards is the CDGA’s Senior Managing Director, Communications and Marketing. He has been with the CDGA since 2014.
