It snowed on the first day of the Women’s PGA Cup. The wind gusted over 30 mph at Twin Warriors Golf Club in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, and the feels-like temperature was in the high 20s. Even the Swedes asked PGA officials, “Is this playable?”
The Americans trailed early but battled back over the weekend to win the second Women’s PGA Cup. Joanna Coe fielded quite a few questions from students when she returned to Merion Golf Club about battling the elements and coming through in the clutch.
As director of instruction at the storied club, Coe’s competitive drive and infectious personality fit in well at a place that’s synonymous with excellence.
“Everyone eats, sleeps and breathes golf here,” she said.
Coe has a poster of Nelly Korda in her teaching bay because she thinks there needs to be more of a focus on the best women in the world.
Suzy Whaley, the first female president of the PGA of America, describes Coe as a hard worker whose approachable and authentic demeanor makes people want to be around her.
“She loves the game and exudes joy when she’s around it,” Whaley said. “This hire was a very smart hire.”
Whaley applauds Merion for hiring a woman because of the message it sends to an industry in which it’s still a challenging climb for women and minorities, but she wants to make it clear, too, that Coe was the best fit for the job.
“In golf, we’ve made progress,” said Whaley, “but we have a long way to go to elevate women and minorities. Boards, employers and owners continue to be heavily skewed male, and human nature showcases that we hire people like ourselves.”
Even now when Whaley answers the phone at her facility, the person on the other end sometimes asks to speak to the golf professional.
Team USA poses for a photo with the Women’s PGA Cup during the final round of the 2nd Women’s PGA Cup at Twin Warriors Golf Club on Saturday, October 29, 2022, in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico. From left to right: Ashley Grier, Sherry Andonian, Jennifer Borocz, Stephanie Connelly-Eiswerth and Joanna Coe (Photo by Sam Greenwood/PGA of America)
The first time Rollins coach Julie Garner watched Coe compete was at a junior event at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club. By the time Garner got to the course, Rollins alumna Peggy Kirk Bell, a World Golf Hall of Famer who happened to own the place, had already spotted Coe on the range and was blown away by her power.
“There’s just something special about Pine Needles,…
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