Maryland Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2026: Edward A. Johnston

Edward Allan Johnston was in Baltimore, Maryland, and received his first golf club, a wooden-shafted mid-iron, at age five. He won his first trophy at twelve, and what followed was one of the most sustained and decorated amateur careers in Maryland golf history, achieved largely while limiting himself to weekends and tournaments during a demanding career in law.

Johnston's junior record was extraordinary. He won the, the MSGA Junior Amateur Championship three times, and the Middle Atlantic Junior Amateur Championship in both 1941 and 1942. At just sixteen, he became the youngest qualifier for the USGA Public Links Championship, and in 1939, advanced to match play. He and his father shared four Maryland State Father-Son Championships, and Johnston went on to win the Vermont State Amateur Championship in 1951 and club championships at the Country Club of Maryland seven times and multiple at Baltimore Country Club.

Despite competing primarily on weekends while practicing law, Johnston qualified for 17 USGA championships spanning five decades, including 11 U.S. Amateurs, the U.S. Open at Oakmont in 1953, two U.S. Senior Amateurs, and the U.S. Senior Open. His best U.S. Amateur finish came in 1951 at Saucon Valley, where he reached the fourth round. Internationally, he competed in the Canadian Amateur five times and reached the fourth round in 1952. He also competed in the 1975 British Amateur and 1987 British Senior Amateur.

Off the course, Johnston's contributions to golf administration were equally distinguished. He served as MSGA President in 1968, President of the Middle Atlantic Golf Association in 1982, and as MAGA General Counsel for decades thereafter. He helped originate both the Mason-Dixon Team Matches and the Baltimore City Amateur Golf Championship and suggested to the USGA the creation of State Team Championships, a concept the organization ultimately adopted. Johnston was inducted into the Baltimore University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004 and was widely regarded throughout his career as a fierce competitor, dedicated administrator, and complete gentleman.