Johnny Goodman

Inducted in 2023

One of golf’s greatest amateurs and a longtime youth caddie, Johnny Goodman, of Omaha, Nebraska, was posthumously inducted to the Caddie Hall of Fame in 2023 in recognition of his contributions to the game of golf through caddying.

Goodman began caddying at Omaha Field Club to support his nine siblings. He quickly became the club’s top caddie and carried Walter Hagen’s bag during an exhibition match at the Field Club in 1922. Between loops, he developed an impressive golf swing by hitting a tin can with an old tire iron. Using three clubs, Goodman won the Omaha Metropolitan Championship and Caddie Championship in 1925.

Eight years after notching his first win, Goodman was crowned champion of the 1933 U.S. Open, winning as an amateur at North Shore Country Club in Glenview, Illinois. He remains the last amateur to win the national open or any men’s major championship.

Along with his U.S. Open victory, Goodman also won the 1937 U.S. Amateur and three Trans-Mississippi Amateurs.

Goodman passed away in 1970 at age 60. He is a member of the Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame and Omaha Sports Hall of Fame, and an Omaha municipal golf course is named in his honor.

He was inducted at North Shore Country Club ahead of the 121st playing of the Western Amateur. His son accepted the honor on his behalf.

For using caddying as a stepping stone to success in golf, Johnny Goodman earned a place in the Caddie Hall of Fame, which recognizes individuals who support caddying.