Know Your Bulldog: Garrett Johnson
February 26, 2019 | Men's Golf
By Austin Coats, Student Assistant/Communications
"The kid knows how to play golf."
Mississippi State men's golf coach Dusty Smith trusts Garrett Johnson. He trusts him so much that Johnson is the only player who has played in all 17 tournaments since Smith took over as head coach in the fall of 2017.
"He knows how to play the game properly," Smith said. "He has a great short game, his chipping's really good, his putting has been carrying him some too. He's a gritty competitor.Â
"He loves to compete."
Johnson himself echoed this sentiment.
"That's just the mentality that I have whenever I go out there and play," Johnson said. "I just want to beat everybody."
Johnson said he was angry when, as a freshman, he missed out on playing in a couple of tournaments in the 2016-17 season. When he made the 2017 SEC Championship lineup card, he was determined not to miss an event going forward. Johnson has so far achieved that goal by playing in each of MSU's last 18 competitions.
Johnson's competitiveness stems from a pure love of the game. As a child, he remembers his dad, Matt Johnson, taking him to courses in Birmingham, Alabama. At first, his dad only let him play around the greens for hours. What may have been a dull activity from some children was excitement for a young Johnson.
"I just wanted to be there," Johnson said. "I wasn't really thinking about anything as long as I was there.
"Ultimately, I just fell in love with the game and, good or bad days, it was great. I just enjoyed being out there. It was better than getting in trouble like some of the other kids are doing."
Around nine years old, Johnson's father allowed him to play the whole course. From there, Johnson got better and better, eventually earning an individual state title as a senior and a spot on State's roster.
"Ever since then, I love this place," Johnson said.Â
Johnson said that while playing collegiate golf can be a grind, it reinforces his love for the game.
"IÂ wake up every day and can't wait to go to class, get all that stuff done with and then come out here to the best facilities in the country," Johnson said. "It's great, and we have two of the best courses in the state, so we're truly blessed.
And while enjoying his time at MSU, Johnson said he's also constantly improving.
"Each year I've been a little bit better, and I think that's what it's all about," Johnson said. "That's what Coach Smith has kind of instilled in me. If you just come out here and get a little bit better each day, it's going to add up."
The sum of his efforts shows a stroke average that has gone down about one stroke in each season. Through five tournaments so far in the 2018-19 campaign, Johnson has maintained a 71.47 average, the team's second best among qualifying players.
With that type of performance, it's likely that you will see Johnson on many more lineup cards to come.
