We will finish off our tribute to Bud Chapman with a painting of his good friend, Johnny Snyder. Snyder was one of the best to ever prowl the public courses in the Twin Cities. He had a great record in MN Public Links Championships. Johnny also has a record that is unmatched on the Dakota Tour (Mini Tour) where for several years he seemed to win every event. Snyder played in two US Open Championships and was fully exempt on the PGA Tour in 1986. Snyder won the Minnesota State Open in 1997. The Mt Rushmore painting of Snyder among three golfing greats was done by Chapman after Snyder won the 1986 Minnesota Golf Champions Tournament. Johnny pointed out that Chapman included his longtime caddie, Chico, in the painting. Chico is holding Snyder’s bag, lower right corner.
Snyder now lives in The Villages, Florida where he owns and operates Johnny’s Birdie Golf Store. Snyder’s outgoing personality and marketing wit brings customers back to his store for all their golf needs.
Another less well known Chapman painting is the one Bud did for the 100th anniversary of MN Golf. The painting features a caricature many of the golfers who created Minnesota Golf History.
Authors Note: I ran into Bud Chapman at the 2020 PGA Show in Orlando. Bud and I have been friends for many years. We had a conversation about both being winners of the MGA Sr Amateur Championship and the MGA Sr Amateur Championship, Grand Master’s Division.
I have never known a person who did not like Mr. Bud Chapman!!! RIP
