Murfreesboro Isabella Johnson holds the Scott L. Probasco Trophy for winning the Tennessee Women's Amateur
photo by Tennessee Golf Association
The pressure of competing for a state championship can be a daunting undertaking, with the magnitude of the moment triggering off-the-chart levels of stress and angst among many golfers.
But that wasn’t the case with Isabella Johnson in this week’s 93rd Tennessee Women’s Amateur Championship. From start to finish, the Murfreesboro resident never wavered from her pleasant demeanor, always finding reasons to smile and offer a word of encouragement to those who crossed her path.
That’s why Johnson found herself grinning from ear-to-ear Thursday afternoon at Chattanooga Golf & Country Club, doused with a celebratory shower of water from friends and family on the 18th green after winning the championship by two shots with a final score of even par 213.
“You’ve got to have fun. It’s why we do it,” Johnson said. “I never want poor play to affect how I am to others, or how I go about the next shot. That's one thing I can control out of everything that can go wrong on the golf course - being happy and enjoying my time. Very few people get to do what we do at this level, so I view it as a blessing.”
The 18-year-old Johnson is just one of those competitors who is easy to like. But don’t let her congenial disposition fool you, because deep inside is the heart of a warrior.
Starting the day one shot off the lead, Johnson managed to birdie both 16 and 17 to shoot 33 over her final nine holes, closing with a final round 70 to capture her first Tennessee Golf Association individual crown.
In addition to having her name added to the Scott L. Probasco Trophy, Johnson earned a berth into the U.S. Women’s Amateur in August to be held at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort in Oregon.
“The significance of it hasn't really kicked in yet,” Johnson said, who will continue her collegiate career close to home at MTSU after playing at Tennessee last spring. “It's incredible when I think about everything that comes with winning this trophy and TGA history. Being born and raised in the state, this is awesome.
“I think it definitely says a lot about the work I've put in. You always want your hard work to pay off, but you can't force it. Then, whenever it does pay off, it's the best feeling.”
Johnson was able to hold off a furious charge by Ooltewah resident Katie Woodruff, whose final round of 4-under 67 enabled her to own a share of the lead during the late stages of the tournament while playing in the group ahead of Johnson.
Woodruff, whose husband, Blaine, is the men’s golf coach at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and served as her caddie this week, completed her 54 holes at 2-over 215 to finish as runner-up.
“I honestly wanted to use this week just to get ready for my mid-am qualifier in September, just to work through some swing stuff,” Woodruff said. “I didn't even think I would probably finish in the top 20 because I’ve not been playing a lot of golf with a baby at home. I just didn't want to embarrass myself out here with these young girls.”
But the 32-year-old Woodruff proved that she still has plenty of game to compete with the best in the state. She played collegiately at Louisville, then captured the Tennessee Women’s Mid-Amateur two years ago just months after the tragic death of the couple’s daughter on the day she was due to be delivered.
With their son, Maverick, celebrating his first birthday next week, Woodruff has found precious little time to focus on her golf game with her responsibilities as a mother and a wife.
“I almost want to play more now that I know that I can still compete,” Woodruff said. “I don't practice much now that I’ve got a baby. My practice session lasts about 22 minutes while I'm constantly tossing peanut butter and jelly to him on the range.”
The journey from tragedy to Thursday’s outcome has allowed Woodruff to gain a new perspective on her golfing aspirations
“I’m just thankful that no matter what happens, it's just golf,” Woodruff said. “I get to go home and hug my son and kiss him, and he's gonna smile at me and hug me. I would have killed for that two years ago.”
Also making an impressive late charge was Knoxville’s Lexanne Halama, whose 67 on Thursday equaled Woodruff for low round of the tournament. The former Illinois golfer recorded five birdies with a lone bogey to pull within one shot of the lead, finishing tied for 3rd with Ole Miss standout and Carthage native Sophie Linder at 3-over 216.
Karlie Campbell, who had already punched her ticket to Bandon Dunes as one of four to advance from a local qualifier last week, shot 6-over 219 to finish 5th, one shot better than Ooltewah’s Katie Scheck who posted a 7-over 220 to place 6th.
Defending champion Bella Bugg of Thompson’s Station and Molly Hardwick of Nashville tied for 7th after compiling scores of 8-over 221.
Johnson was able to quickly move to the front of the pack when second round leader Tori Robinson of Jackson double-bogeyed the first hole that led to a disappointing round of 85 and a tie for 16th. But bogeys at 3 and 7 by Johnson left her one back when Linder birdied No. 8.
But Johnson regained the advantage after she drained a 10-footer for birdie on the par-3 9th and Linder suffered a three-putt bogey.
“The turning point definitely would be my birdie putt on 9,” Johnson said. “That was huge because I had just lost the lead for the first time, so getting it back after that two-shot swing gave me some momentum at the turn.”
Johnson bogeyed 10 to fall back even with Linder, and Woodruff joined the leaders at 3-over with birdies at 10 and 12. But a 20-foot birdie on No. 12 once again nudged Johnson into the lead, a position she would not relinquish.
Two critical one-putt par saves after errant tee shots on 14 and 15 were followed by back-to-back birdies, enabling Johnson to step to the tee on the par-3 18th holding a two-shot cushion.
“To be honest, I didn't know how the people ahead of me were doing,” Johnson said. “I knew Katie and I were really close in the last few holes. After I hit my tee shot on 18, that's when my caddie (Will Dickson) said, ‘You can three-putt and win.’ That's when I was able to enjoy the moment, look around and see all the people out there.”
With her parents, Ashley and Christy Johnson, walking every step of her journey these past three days, Johnson was grateful to be able to share the moment with them.
“My parents are the best,” Johnson said. “I could have shot a high number today, and they would love me the same. They're here to support me, and they're so excited to see me succeed. They never beat me down about mistakes I made, but just always encourage me.”
After partnering with Bugg to win the Tennessee Women’s Four-Ball as a 15-year-old in 2022 and capturing the 2024 Tennessee Girls’ Junior Player of the Year honors, Johnson now has a new favorite moment to cherish in her stellar golf career.
“This is now No. 1 for sure,” Johnson said. “This was huge. It'll get me into other tournaments that are great for my résumé and is a great stepping stone for my career.”
Plus, it gives her an opportunity later this summer to mark off another state visited once she heads west to the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
“I’ve never been to Oregon. It will be another state I get to check off once I’ve visited it in person,” Johnson said, her ever-present smile adorning her face.
For complete results, go to Tennessee Women's Amateur.
Paul Payne can be emailed at paulpayne6249@gmail.com
Ooltewah's Katie Woodruff, shown with husband Blaine who caddie for her, finished 2nd
photo by Tennessee Golf Association