North Branch golf champions reconnect some five decades later

They met this summer at the North Branch Golf Course, some 50 years since all six last swung clubs together.

In the mid-1960s, the group helped North Branch win three consecutive high school state championships. Such team greatness hasn't been repeated in the town, a 45-minute drive north of the Twin Cities but considered remote six decades ago.

It's a wonder it happened from 1964-66, what with no official golf coach and no driving range to hone their skills.

"I never had a lesson before I started playing college golf at New Mexico," said Steve Satterstrom, a key member of the first two title teams. "When I got to college, the coach watched me and said, 'Now you've got to learn to swing a golf club.' We probably had bad grips and whatever. But we just learned to play, to hit the shots that were required."

Satterstrom and the Johnson brothers, Denny and Steve, made up North Branch's talented threesome in 1964 and 1965.

"We had three guys that could all play," Satterstrom said. "We were competitive and we could get the ball from A to B."

The first North Branch state title — it was a one-class affair back then — came by just three shots. The second featured all three golfers among the top four finishers. They led North Branch to victory by a remarkable 23 strokes.

The graduation of Satterstrom meant an open spot and the chance to play with the dominant Johnson brothers.

Steve Johnson placed second overall in 1965 and Denny tied for fourth. Football players in the fall, basketball players in the winter and spring participants in baseball and golf, both were renowned for their overall athletic prowess.

"The Johnsons had a tremendous ability to think and compete and they never gave up in any sport," said Doug Nelson, a three-year varsity golfer who played at St. Cloud State. "If they missed a green, their short game worked. They had the ability to make something good happen."

Their father, Jim Johnson, instilled competitiveness and preparation in his sons — and their teammates.

"In 1964, we wouldn't have won it without him," said Denny, who later played at St. Cloud State. "School got out about a week before state championship and dad drove us to Minneapolis to play on the course. He said, 'Your job is to go the course every day and prepare.' "

Johnson sat tied for third and the final team spot with North Branch junior Skip Lieser after 18 holes at the district tournament. Lieser started the round hoping to replace Satterstrom. Now he faced a sudden-death playoff with Johnson.

Both reached the first-hole green at Forest Hills Golf Course on their second shots. Lieser's putt from about 15 feet didn't find the hole. Johnson, positioned about 2 feet from the pin, sank his putt.

Johnson went on to win the individual state championship, seven strokes ahead of younger brother Denny.

Steve Johnson went on to play for the Gophers. He won the Minnesota State Amateur Championship in 1975 while still playing town team baseball. And he coached high school golf for a combined 31 years at Rush City, Blaine and Champlin Park.

"I would tell my players a lot about golf course management," Johnson said. "Every swing doesn't have to be the same. I don't consider myself ever having a classic golf swing. I was more of a grinder."

Six of the nine varsity players returned to their home course in late July of this year, trading shots and memories. They broke into a pair of threesomes and played nine holes. Scores weren't kept because the men were too busy talking. And while no monetary bets were made, the longtime friends reveled in reflecting on rich memories.