Zach Johnson Honors Transamerica for its 20-Year Support
At the 13th annual Zach Johnson Foundation Classic in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 12-time PGA Tour champion Zach Johnson shined his considerable spotlight on Transamerica, honoring the company for its contribution to his extraordinary success. For two decades, Johnson and Transamerica have sustained a steadfast partnership and friendship that has generated outstanding achievements—not only on the golf course, but in philanthropy as well.
The ZJF Classic is the foundation’s largest fundraising event. It encompasses a weekend full of activities, capped off with a Pro-Am charity golf tournament. During this year’s festivities, Johnson awarded Transamerica with a bronze plaque to be added to a statue celebrating his career at Cedar Rapids’ Elmcrest Country Club, where Johnson first learned to play golf.
“I certainly wouldn't be talking to you right now if it wasn't for this great company in my hometown of Cedar Rapids—Transamerica—taking a risk on a young pro, an aspiring pro, who had a dream,” Johnson said. “In the last 20 years, it’s hard to measure what that means, hard to quantify that relationship, hard to put into words really the significance and really the love I have for that pyramid and those people.”
Cedar Rapids native Johnson was a recent Drake University graduate striving to earn a place on the Professional Golf Association tour when he approached Transamerica for sponsorship in 2003. Transamerica decided to take a chance on the young athlete, signing him up. The choice would prove visionary, as Johnson went on to earn 12 PGA tour victories (including the 2007 Masters Tournament), receive the Payne Stewart Award for his character, win the 147th Open Championship, and represent the U.S. as captain of the 2023 U.S. Ryder Cup team.
“There’s no finer ambassador for our brand,” said Transamerica president and CEO Will Fuller, accepting the honor. “Transamerica is incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership and friendship with Zach.”
The Zach Johnson Foundation developed and runs the nonprofit Kids on Course program. In cooperation with the Cedar Rapids Community School District, Kids on Course provides programming and opportunities to help children prepare for and complete post-secondary education training. The program supports approximately 1,000 students annually and awarded three high school seniors this year with four-year college scholarships.
More than 200 Transamerica employees volunteered their time and energy to support the Zach Johnson Foundation Classic, demonstrating Transamerica’s commitment to being a force for good in the community. As a major employer in the Cedar Rapids area, the company regularly contributes to local organizations working to make a positive impact.
For more information about the Zach Johnson Foundation and Kids on Course, please visit www.zachjohnsongolf.com/Foundation and www.kidsoncoursecr.com.