University of British Columbia Athletics

• In 1952/53, Russell’s first year at UBC, his team was crowned Evergreen Conference (U.S. Pacific Northwest) champions for the fourth consecutive year.
• In 1953/54 Russell defeated teammate Max Swanson for top golf honours at UBC. Then, together with the rest of UBC’s team, won the Evergreen Conference for a fifth consecutive title.
• In 1954/55 Russell again won the UBC championship (over Swanson) and led UBC to its sixth consecutive Evergreen Conference championship. At this Championship tournament his 70 was UBC’s top 18-hole score while the “outstanding triumph” according to UBC media was his victory over one of the North West’s top players, Bruce Cudd.
• Russell was both UBC team captain and manager during 55/56 and in January ’56 he again won the UBC match play championship at the UBC golf course. He shot a 69 winning 10 and 9.
• In 1956 Russell shot a 67 at the qualifying event for the Evergreen Championship but was unable to play at the Championships. Subsequently, for the first time UBC lost the title after winning the previous six.
• Russell was UBC match play champion in each of his four years at UBC and led UBC to three consecutive Evergreen Conference titles.
• While at UBC in ’56, Russell was selected to BC’s Willingdon Cup (Canadian amateur championship) team. This would be the beginning of a long career representing BC at the annual Willingdon Cup inter-provincial team matches. Russell led Team BC to several Canadian championship titles. Over his career he represented BC 13 times including 11 consecutive. A young Marty Zlotnik (UBC and BC Hall of Famer) remembers Russell from these days and said, “He (Russell) probably would be considered one of the finest golfers of that era, if not the best.”

Following his time at UBC, Russell’s amateur career was stellar:

• He won the BC Amateur Championship in both 1967 and 1968
• Won two Vancouver City Championships.
• 15 times Pt. Grey Golf Club champion including setting a course record
• Set or tied 10 course records
• Was invited to contend at the 1958 Centennial Open (BC) championship against top pros of the day
• Three times was a member of Canada’s team at International Senior’s amateur tournaments
• A mentor to top local golfers such as Doug Roxburgh

 
Impressions Russell left on golf aficionados:
“Exemplary figure… first class gentleman… credit to the game.” – Golf Writer Arv Olson
“Respected by his peers… a gentleman of the game.” – Don Griffiths, former UBC golfer.
“The pre-eminent Amateur Champion… gracious in victory and defeat” – Golfer Dick Zokol
“… model of a gentleman. Johnny Russell is an example of a role standard in which the golf fraternity could set the highest measure.” – Dick Zokol
 
Evergreen Conference Golf Championships won by UBC:
1949/50
1950/51
1951/52
1952/53
1953/54
1954/55

Fred Hume, 2018