John Erickson (golfer)

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John Erickson is an American golfer and touring professional golfer who played the PGA Canadian Tour from 1987 to 1994 and the PGA Tour of Australasia Tour from 1987 to 1992.

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[edit] Competition

Erickson was a top national collegiate player, Big West Conference champion, and All American as well as a a quarter finalist in the 1983 U.S. Amateur Championship. As a pro he won several events worldwide including the Windsor Charity Classic on the Canadian Tour. In 1991 Erickson was a Sony World ranked professional player.

[edit] The Golfing Machine

Erickson was an early protege of the controversial teaching method "The Golfing Machine" that was based upon the book of the same name written by Homer Kelley. The Golfing Machine drew from physics, geometry breaking the golf swing down into 24 components, 4 power accumulators, 16 variations, and 4 imperatives. The objective nature of the teaching methodology differs from the past in that the teacher must remain objective and not inject a subjective or mysterious nature into instruction. "Complexity is far more simple and workable than mystery" quoted from "The Golfing Machine" (preface). Bobby Clampett, and Mac O'Grady were also having success using the Golfing Machine model around this time period.

[edit] Retirement

In 1994 Erickson retired from competition to pursue other non golf interests. As a golf purist, he believed woods should be made of wood, strongly opposed perimeter weighted irons, and believed golf courses were sacred sites to celebrate and play the ancient game, not a vehicle to sell real estate home lots. Erickson believed golf should be a game of physical and mental skill, much like Chess where the rules for play are honored and respected. He believed the USGA sold out to equipment makers, prostituting the game for profit, forcing a new technology upon golf, which in the past had been a game of integrity and tradition. Erickson believed the world's classic old courses were not meant to be lengthened and in doing so, disgraced the design, shape, and intent of the holes these visionary architects so masterfully crafted.

Erickson lives in the San Francisco Bay Area and on occasion plays golf but will rarely play a round with anyone who uses metal woods or perimeter weighted irons.

[edit] External links

  • [1] Sun Bowl History
  • [2] U.S. Amateur Records
  • [3] Big West Conference Records
  • [4] Notable 1964 Births