Joanna Coe, Merion Golf Club’s PGA director of instruction, has turned the elusive dream of a life in professional golf into a reality she always desired.
Coe, originally from Haverford, Pennsylvania, grew up playing public golf in southern New Jersey and excelled as a four-time all-American at Rollins College. She won the 2008 NCAA Division II title and led the Tars to the team championship as a freshman.
Pursuing her dreams, she qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open in 2011 and competed on the LPGA’s Symetra Tour (now known as the Epson Tour) from 2012 to 2015.
During qualifying school in 2016, Coe began to feel disillusioned with tour life and realized that she was not happy.
“I felt like my identity was tied to my score,” she said. “The instability, loneliness on tour, constant focus on numbers, and the stress of making the cut were all weighing on me. I decided it was time for a change. I knew I wouldn’t be out there forever, so I wanted to explore a different path.”
Seeking guidance from her sister and drawing on her background in golf instruction…
