John W. Dawson (December 20, 1902[1] – January 6, 1986) was an American amateur golfer and golf course architect.

[1] Although he was a lifelong amateur golfer, his amateur status was rescinded by the United States Golf Association (USGA) for a time due to his employment with the Spalding sporting goods company.

[1] His amateur status was eventually restored and he competed in several USGA events.

[4] He was also runner-up in 1958 U.S. Senior Amateur[5] As a developer, he designed and built Marrakesh Country Club, the Seven Lakes, Thunderbird,[6] El Dorado, and La Quinta Country Clubs;[7] he lived in Palm Springs.

[8][9] Dawson won the Southern California Golf Association (SCGA) amateur championship four times between 1942 and 1952, and was inducted into the SCGA Hall of Fame in 2007.