Former Dowagiac coach Van Johnson was inducted into the Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame Sunday. (Leader photo/BRENT NATE)

BATH — Former Dowagiac golf coach Van Johnson was inducted into the Michigan Interscholastic Golf Coaches Association Hall of Fame at Eagle Eye Golf Club at Hawk Hollow in Bath Sunday.

Johnson was the last of four inductees.

At Dowagiac, Johnson coached the boys golf team for 35 years, retiring last fall. He started the girls golf team in 2004 and announced his retirement following their season.

In his 45 years of coaching golf, Johnnson’s teams won 1,303 matches, four invitational championships and played in six state finals.

Johnson was named conference coach of the year five times, district coach of the year twice and regional coach of the year in 2004.

He was introduced by friend and former coaching foe Greg Gunder of Niles, who was inducted into the hall of fame in 2012.

Johnson thanked numerous coaches and players as well as friends and family, of which many were in attendance.

“This is a great honor,” Johnson said. “If it wasn’t for Greg, I probably wouldn’t have applied. But now that I am here, I am honored.”