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GREENSBORO — Phil Johnson still has the yellow piece of notebook paper on which his then-8-year-old son, Drew, hatched an idea that would bring him national recognition.

On a challenge from his father of how to amplify his work with the Piedmont Triad Area Special Olympics golf team, Drew wrote that he wanted to start a charity tournament.

Seven years later, the Drew Johnson Kids that Care junior golf event has raised more than $23,000. The money has helped with equipment and travel expenses to events such as next month's N.C. Summer Games in Raleigh.

The Northwest Guilford freshman was recently honored for his efforts with the Presidents' Leadership Award, presented annually by the U.S. Golf Association and the American Junior Golf Association to exceptional volunteers in the amateur golf ranks.

"We can take pride in the realization that young Americans like Drew have what it takes to mold more into givers, not takers," PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka wrote to the selection committee. "Drew Johnson may well be the best caddie anywhere when it comes to serving Special Olympians."

Since he was 7, Johnson has practiced his swing nearly every day at the Carolina Golf Practice and Learning Center on Pleasant Ridge Road, where the Special Olympics team meets on Monday nights. The Johnsons knew a member of the team from their church, so Drew started helping however he could, whether it be teeing up balls, passing out water or just sharing a laugh.

"They took me in with open arms," he said. "From the first day, they just accepted me. It was definitely a new experience for me, and I think it was a good one to have. ... It's definitely taught me perseverance. To see them being able go out and be able to hit balls with the obstacles they've overcome, and the positive attitude they have, it's helped me have an optimistic outlook on life."

Drew quickly realized his equipment was nicer than that of his peers, most of whom were using hand-me-downs. So began his efforts to create the tournament, which has grown from 20 participants to more than 60.

Johnson, who earned all-conference honors after leading Northwest in scoring average this season, still makes it out to those Monday practices when the school season is over.

"It makes us proud that he's willing to put forth the effort," Phil said. "My kids have learned that they can look at someone that has some obvious challenges, and they've learned not to judge them. They don't look at them as someone with an issue or a challenge anymore. They look at them as a golfer, as a person that's as funny and happy and smart as they are.

"There's no doing it because somebody needs an extra helping hand at this point. They do it because they're friends."

Contact Tom Keller at 373-7034 or tom.keller@news-record.com