The story below is more than 28 years in the making…and it leads us to one of the most meaningful traditions we have at Family Golf Week—honoring a Father of the Year.
A Legacy That Spans Generations
Some stories are about golf, others are about something much bigger. This one is about family, tradition, and showing up—year after year—for the people who matter most.
One of the most meaningful traditions at Family Golf Week each year is the honoring of our Father of the Year—a recognition of someone who embodies what this event is truly all about. This year, we had the privilege of surprising someone who truly represents that spirit.
With the help of his son and playing partner, we invited him to what he believed was simple participant feedback video call—only to turn it into something much more meaningful. Watch the heartfelt moment unfold below.
We are proud to announce Bill Johnston as the 2026 Family Golf Week — Father of the Year.
Where It All Began
For Bill Johnston, golf has never been just a game—it has always been a connection.
His story begins in Mars, Pennsylvania, where as a young boy he sat beside his father, watching a golf course being built from the ground up. His father, a local banker who helped finance the course, gave Bill an early glimpse into something lasting—not just the game itself, but the role it could play in bringing people together. That lesson stayed with him.
Bill went on to become a talented player in his own right. In high school, he competed against some of the top players in the region—including Jim Simons, who would go on to nearly win the U.S. Open—and on that day, Bill came out on top.He continued his playing career at Drexel University, representing the Dragons and deepening his love for the game.
But what defines Bill isn’t what he accomplished for himself. It’s what he gave to others.
A Coach, A Mentor, A Father
For nearly a decade, from the late 1990s through the early 2000s, Bill served as the golf coach at North Catholic High School. There, he built more than a competitive program. He mentored young players, led teams to multiple section championships, and helped guide athletes to compete at the individual state level. Among those players was his own son, whom he coached for all four years—creating a bond that extended far beyond the course.
As a father, he carried forward the same tradition that began with his own dad—continuing to play in father-son events together while also introducing each of his three children to the game.
That tradition has now spanned nearly three decades.
From The Very Beginning
Bill and his son, Doug, have competed in the inaugural Family Golf Week since the very beginning. In that very first year they were paired alongside Ray and Mike Buccerone—our tournament owner, organizer, and driving force behind Family Golf Week.
Bill and his son Doug, have since competed in the tournament nearly every year, only missing two years—once in 2019, when Bill’s youngest grandson, William—named in his honor—was born in early July, and in 2020 with the alternate tournament plans due to COVID. Through the years, their participation has quietly tracked the milestones of a growing family and full life: from high school graduation to college years, from weddings to careers, and the birth of eight joyful grandchildren. Through all this the tradition endured.
Because for Bill, Family Golf Week was never just about golf. It was about showing up.
A Life Rooted In Family
Spend a few holes with Bill, and you’ll quickly understand what makes him special.The conversation often starts the same way—“Where do you call home?”
Without hesitation, Bill proudly answers: Mars, Pennsylvania—quickly tying it back to Pittsburgh, a city and its teams he loves, a passion he has passed down to his children and now his grandchildren.
When the conversation turns to work, Bill doesn’t talk about accomplishments or accolades. Instead, he smiles and tells you his most important role:“Pappy.”
A proud grandfather of eight, Bill lives within ten minutes of all of them—and sees at least one nearly every day. That’s where his pride truly shines. And now, that legacy continues, as the next generation begins to take part in the very same tournament that has meant so much to him.
The Way He Plays the Game
On the course, Bill is much the same as he is in life. Still a single-digit player, he keeps the ball in the fairway and the team in position. He is steady, reliable, and composed. But more importantly, he brings something else to every round:Perspective.
He keeps the atmosphere light, the energy positive, and the focus where it belongs. Because in many ways, the way Bill plays the game mirrors the way he approaches fatherhood. Consistent. Supportive. Grounded. Always there.
A Legacy That Defines Family Golf Week
Bill Johnston represents everything Family Golf Week was meant to celebrate—not just a love of golf, but the relationships it builds and the generations it brings together.
For his lifelong dedication to family, his impact as a mentor, and the example he continues to set, we are proud to honor Bill Johnston as the 2026 Family Golf Week Father of the Year.