Graceland Hall of Famer J.D. Turner Inducted into PGA Hall of Fame
LAMONI, Iowa — J.D. Turner, a 1964 graduate of Graceland University (then Graceland College) and a 1989 inductee into the Graceland Athletics Hall of Fame, has been officially enshrined in the PGA Hall of Fame, recognizing a lifetime of excellence in competitive golf, teaching, and promotion of the sport across the state of Iowa and beyond.
Turner, whose multi-decade career touched nearly every facet of the game, was formally inducted on November 5, joining one of the most prestigious circles in professional golf.
A native of Perry, Iowa, Turner's athletic journey began not on the golf course, but on the basketball court. After earning his degree from Graceland in 1964, he started his professional life in education and coaching, serving as a history teacher at Lamoni High School and coaching both basketball and golf at Graceland.
He would eventually transition from basketball coaching to a full-time pursuit of golf — a move that would shape the next five decades of his life. A casual round at the Elks Course in Iowa City, where Turner carded a remarkable 11-under-par 59, convinced local businessman Dean Jones to sponsor his move into professional golf.
That moment launched Turner into a standout career that combined elite competition with a passion for teaching. In 1969, Turner turned professional and quickly earned the Iowa Golf Association's Player of the Year honor, finishing the season with a 72.07 stroke average. That same year, he claimed the Northwest Amateur title, winning by a staggering 11 shots, and captured his first Iowa Open crown, defeating a field that included future PGA Tour players Steve Spray and Jack Rule.
Turner would go on to win the Iowa Open five times (1969, 1970, 1971, 1979, and 1983), earning a reputation as one of the most clutch and consistent performers in state tournament history.
"I made a lot of putts," Turner once said of his success at the Iowa Open. "I guess I never analyzed it. I'd get fired up for it. I seemed to play well that time of the year."
He also claimed two Sani titles (1974, 1984), the Iowa Section PGA Championship in 1986, and five Iowa Section Senior Championships. Turner competed in two U.S. Senior Opens and the Senior PGA Championship, proudly representing Iowa and the Midwest on the national stage.
His impact as a golf instructor was equally significant. Turner earned the Iowa Section PGA Teacher of the Year honor four times and was listed by Golf Magazine as one of America's Top 100 Instructors from 1991 to 2008. He achieved Master PGA Professional status and operated the Turner Golf Group, a successful series of instructional golf schools. His television show, "The Golf School," aired on cable networks throughout Iowa and reached thousands of viewers.
In 1984, Turner was also recognized with the IGA Outstanding Service Award, a fitting honor for a man whose teaching career had become as celebrated as his tournament accomplishments.
Turner's PGA Hall of Fame induction is the culmination of a lifelong dedication to golf — from club professional and junior instructor to state champion and nationally recognized teacher. It also underscores his deep connection to Graceland University, where his coaching roots began and his leadership on the court and course were first shaped.
J.D. Turner's legacy is now forever enshrined in three halls of fame — Graceland's, the Iowa Golf Association and the PGA's — honoring a career that embodies excellence, growth, and commitment to the game.
For more information on Graceland Athletics and its alumni accomplishments, visit GUjackets.com.