By: Hugh Burrill, Golf Town Ambassador
In this week’s Associate Spotlight, we feature Kate Johnston, an associate at our Kitchener location. An injury in her teens forced Kate to switch her athletic focus. It’s a move that paid off with success at the university level. Now, Kate hopes to take her game even higher by attempting to qualify for the Symetra Tour. It will be a long, tough road, but Golf Town will support her every step of the way.
They say whenever one door closes, another one opens.
And the door for Kate Johnston of the Kitchener store is wide open.
Eight years ago, at the age of 15, Kate was a competitive downhill skier. But – as it often happens with skiing – a knee injury forced her to reassess her athletic career.
A suggestion from her parents to try golf was met with immediate success and a couple of years later, Kate had earned a golf scholarship to the University of British Columbia.
“I had a coach here that was kind enough to vouch for me out there, that I would hopefully pay off in the long run. So, I went in outside the top 5 in my first year. Just consistently made improvements and by my last year I was captain and the Number One player in the NAIA. It progressed really nicely, and I couldn’t ask for it to go much better really.” – Kate Johnston
It took Kate a couple of seasons to find her game at the collegiate level but when she did, there was no stopping her. By her final year, Kate was captaining the Thunderbirds to eight regular season tournament wins and the NAIA Championship, capping off the most successful season of any golf team – men’s or women’s — in American college history.
In the summer of 2019, Kate entered a U-S Amateur qualifier in Michigan and despite a double bogey on 18, eked out a spot on the big stage in at Old Waverly in Mississippi.
“It was world class. I mean the golf course they put us on was hands down the hardest course I’ve ever had to play in the toughest conditions against the best field I’ve ever played against. It was nerve wracking and very stressful but again, one of the best golf experiences I’ve had and something I’m proud of.” – Kate Johnston
After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Kate tried her hand at a regular job but soon discovered she missed the game she loves. So, in December of 2021 she quit to pursue her dream of being a professional golfer.
Golf Town will be with Kate for every swing as she attempts to gain her Symetra Tour card by playing in the Women’s All Pro Tour in the southern United States beginning in March and then at the Symetra Q-Series in Palm Desert in August.
“They supported me through university with scholarship and then again supporting me now as I turn professional. It’s a long, tough road. Financially, it’s a huge burden so every bit helps, and Golf Town has been a huge part of that.” – Kate Johnston
The future is wide open.