Piece of History: Joey Ohsman

Joey Ohsman, better known by his stage name Joey O., found his niche as the only acrobatic golf comedian.

He was the captain of the golf team at Washington High School and went on to both play and coach for the Kirkwood Community College men's golf team.

Joey completed a Bachelor of General Studies degree at the University of Iowa, referring to the BGS as “Better Golf Swings” due to his 14-hour days practicing his game as a student.

In 1981, Joey packed up his car and drove to California with very little savings and no job. He was able to find a job on a golf course and used it to make connections with those in the entertainment industry.

It was there that Joey O. met comedian Bob Hope, who became a good friend. In exchange for golf pointers, Hope wrote Joey O. jokes for his act and introduced him to other people who could help advance his career as a golf entertainer.

Joey O. performed worldwide for more than 40 years, hitting golf balls from a unicycle, balance ball and balance board. He also used a golf club made of a rubber hose and one with a steam iron attached to the handle.

On Dec. 22, 1997, Joey O. showed some of his tricks on “The Tonight Show” with Jay Leno when golf star Tiger Woods was the featured guest. The show cut back and forth between Leno and Joey O. doing trick shots, with Leno challenging Woods to duplicate the moves.

Joey’s appearance came after years of him writing and calling the show and even once sneaking into the office of "The Tonight Show" producer.

Tara Templeman is curator at The History Center. Comments: curator@historycenter.org

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