Page 45 - Western Amateur 120th Championship Program 2022, Exmoor Country Club

Member Tom Kearney
Recipient of the Donald D. Johnson Lifetime Achievement Award

Tom Kearney, Exmoor member since it has given me my first job; and it has
1978 and co-chairman of the 2022 given me a career and for all that I’m so
Western Amateur, received the 2021 thankful. Outside of my family, earning
Donald D. Johnson Lifetime the Scholarship is the best thing
Achievement Award from the Western that’s ever happened to me, and this
Golf Association for “exceptional recognition is the best I could ever hope
commitment and dedication to our for. I’m thankful for everyone at the
championships and scholarships,” as WGA and ESF who are working hard
announced by then-WGA Chairman every day to keep Chick’s dream alive.”
Kevin Buggy.
In 2021, Kearney generously gifted to
An Evans Scholar (University of Illinois, the club a bronze plaque honoring the
1968), Kearney became a WGA Director club’s caddies. Installed at the Golf
in 1990 and served as chairman of the Shop where caddies congregate for
scholarship committee from 2007–2013. their loops, the plaque was the idea of
He also worked the Western Junior and longtime member Barry Mitchell (1946–
Western Open as a volunteer Director 2020).
for nearly 30 years. In accepting the
award, Kearney said, “When people
ask me about the Evans Scholarship, Tom Kearney receiving the Donald D. Johnson Lifetime
Achievement Award from then-WGA Chairman Kevin Buggy
I tell them it has given me a family;
Bronze caddie plaque donated by Tom Kearney (left)

2022 Western Amateur Championship Chick, the Caddies and the Scholars 43