Trish Johnson: The Long Bumpy Road to Golf Success

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When you think of professional golfers, chances are that you think of men like Jack Nicklaus. But there are plenty of talented women out there too, including Trish Johnson who tends to fly under the radar.

Trish’s career is one of longevity with multiple career-defining moments and at the same time turbulent years of setbacks. While most people would have thrown in the towel for a “real job” she stuck with it. Decades later, she is outshining more of the legends on the senior tour. Here’s the inspiring story of her journey!

Early Years of Trish Johnson

Born on January 17, 1966, in Bristol, England as Patricia Mary “Trish” Johnson. She grew up in a household that loved to golf and by nine years old, she also quickly developed the itch.

Through the mentorship of her father and three brothers, she spent many enjoyable years on the Royal North Devon Golf Course, one of the oldest in the UK.  

While she loved to golf as a kid, she had a keen interest in many sports. Some of her favorites were football, tennis, and badminton. Tennis was one of the sports she also played extremely well, and it was her first love.

At age 13, she made the decision she wanted to one day be a professional golfer. She was already an outstanding player with a 7-handicap!

Becoming an Amateur Golfer

At 5-foot-10 inches with an athletic build, Trish Johnson was out to make her name in the golf world. From her early days in England, she became lifelong friends with Laura Davies. This healthy competition, some would say made them both better golfers.

One of our favorite quotes about Johnson comes from her close friend:

“I think what makes Trish such a great and prolific winner is her never-give-up attitude and determination. She just loves to compete, and that’s what keeps her going. You have to have that love of competition to last. She does not get the credit she deserves.”

Laura Davies

As an amateur golfer, she won the 1985 European Ladies’ Team Championship, 1986 Curtis Cup, and also The Espirito Santo Trophy. These are just a few of her accolades making her a household name in England. With so much success, she quickly moved onto become a professional.

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“It’s a Bloody Hard Game”

SOUTHPORT, UNITED KINGDOM -  Trish Johnson of England tracks her tee shot on the 10th hole during third practice round before 2010 Ricoh Women's British Open held at Royal Birkdale on July 28, 2010 in Southport, England. (Photo by Wojciech Migda)
Trish Johnson of England tracks her drive on the 10th hole during the 3rd practice round before the Ricoh Women’s British Open 2010

Trish Johnson started her journey as a professional player in March 1987. Right out the gate, she won three tournaments on the Ladies European Tour. She was even the tour’s Rookie of the Year in 1987.

After winning Qualifying School, she gained the right to play the 1988 LPGA Tour in American tournaments. There she made a great effort and won three of her LPGA Tour victories. She won the 1990 Order of Merit with a total of four victories in that year. 

Many of her early professional years were spent on both the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the LPGA Tour starting in 1993. She won that event in Las Vegas and the following week’s LPGA Atlanta Women’s Championship.

In 2000 and 2004, when she won the Wales “Golf as it should be” Ladies Open and 17 other events on the Ladies European Tour. She placed top 10 on the Order of Merit thirteen times.

In 2007, she paired with Laura Davies to represent England at the Women’s World Cup of Golf. She was a member of the European Solheim Cup squad in the years 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2000, 2005, and 2007.

While she has experienced many career highs, she also is known for having long career gaps. As she stated, “It’s a bloody hard game!”

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Senior LPGA – Legend Tour Wins

Despite having so much success early on in her career, Trish Johnson truly hit her stride in her 40s. In 2006, at the age of 48, she won the 2014 Ladies Scottish Open—becoming the oldest player ever to win that particular tournament. It was a huge achievement, and it proved that age is just a number when it comes to golf. If anything, Trish Johnson’s successes in her later years have been even more impressive than her earlier ones!

LET Legend Interview with Trish Johnson

LET Legend’s Interview with Trish Johnson

Trish Johnson revealed in the LET interview that her ultimate goal is 30 career wins. She won the Senior LPGA Championship in 2011, marking her second victory. She has the energy to compete and is also a strong motivation for young players.

“I appreciate every event more because I know I’m closer to the end of my career than the beginning. But you never really lose your competitiveness, no matter what age you are.”

Trish Johnson

Mind Shift to Success

As a Senior LPGA golfer, she’s adapted her philosophy a bit on the golf course to have more fun. With many career ups and downs, she noticed a pattern where the more she would practice, the worse her round of golf. To avoid overthinking, she would just focus on enjoying the game and her game got better.

Including the first Senior LPGA Championship in 2017, Trish Johnson had won four events on the Legends Tour. In 2021, she won the Senior LPGA Championship again. We would say, her mind shift is working!

LPGA Career Money Earnings & Personal Life

Her net worth has been estimated to be $1 Million to $5 Million based on our research. As of 2022, her LPGA career earnings are $1,209,264.

Final Thoughts

Trish Johnson is one of England’s most successful professional golfers. With a lifelong passion for the sport and years of hard work and dedication, she has accomplished remarkable things both on and off the course. She serves as an inspiration to many aspiring women golfers that through consistent effort, dedication, and a bit of talent, you can meet your goals one day.

Trish Johnson is living proof that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams. No matter how old you are, if you have talent and determination, you can succeed at anything. Her story is an inspiration to us all.

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AUTHOR

Erin has spent over 17 years as a healthcare executive working with seniors in nursing homes, skilled nursing, assisted living, and independent living communities. She also holds a Masters Degree in Social Work and other advanced degrees related to seniors.

Erin grew up playing golf in a family of golf fanatics. She started this site to help others add more enjoyment to the game of life through golf.

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