Florida State University Athletics
Grateful
2/12/2021 11:34:08 AM | Women's Golf
Elle Johnson Bio / Golfstat Results
March 2020 was the beginning of the end for sports around the country, including here at Florida State. Now, almost a year later, the Seminole Women’s Golf team is getting ready to begin play again. Elle Johnson, whose freshman season was cut short, is one athlete who is ready to leave it all on the course this season.
Johnson had a very successful start to her freshman season, playing in three events for the Seminoles. In her first ever career tournament as a Seminole, Johnson recorded her career best round score of 71. In one of the final events of 2020, Johnson finished in a tie for 26th place in the FSU Match-Up at Bay Point Golf Club, her best career finish.
As it was for many student-athletes, 2020 wasn’t the season that Johnson expected. Johnson professed that she knew instantly that Florida State was the best school for her, saying the coaching staff, team and culture at Florida State was unlike any other. Johnson signed her NLI with Florida State in 2018, so playing golf as a Seminole was years in the making.
“It was definitely a sad experience, especially since I had been waiting to play on the FSU Women’s Golf team for a couple years,” said Johnson. “I was very grateful for the fall season and getting to experience a little bit of normal college golf.”
Starting this season, Johnson has a newfound appreciation for playing, especially with her team.
“I am so thankful that we all get to practice as a team,” said Johnson. “It is so fun practicing with other elite players. Back home, golf was very lonely; I am so glad I have my team to practice and compete with again.”
Being away from the course and her team was not the way Johnson had envisioned her first season to go, but the challenges she faced as a freshman have given her perspective moving forward.
“I really learned to trust God’s plans through the pandemic because ultimately, I cannot control everything,” said Johnson. “That was made very clear with everything getting cancelled and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it. I also learned that not everything will go as I planned and to not take anything for granted.”
Johnson, who is the only sophomore on this year’s team, has been able to take the unique experience and become a mentor to some of the incoming freshmen. Her perspective on playing with her team is one she hopes everyone will adopt.
Her advice for the new Seminoles: “I would definitely tell them to be grateful for every event you get to play, considering the rest of my spring and all of our fall college golf tournaments were cancelled. I was not expecting that at all.”
Johnson has set her sights high for this season, determined to make up for missing the majority of her first year. Even though she was able to play in a few tournaments as a freshman, Johnson wants to continue to improve her game and help the Seminoles secure team wins.
“My goals for this season are to gain as much confidence as I can in tournament golf and to stay focused on the process.”
As many athletes are, Johnson is excited and ready to finally being able to play again. Johnson expressed her gratitude for her team and coaches, as they have made this experience easier for her.
“I feel excited for the start of the season and the upcoming tournament,” said Johnson. “I have never been so thankful to finally play in a college tournament. I am excited to travel with my team and kind of get back to normal. My coaches are the best and I wouldn’t trade going to FSU over any other school.”
When asked for one word to describe how she felt about the upcoming season Johnson simply replied with on word – Grateful.
The Seminoles begin play in the Moon Invitational at Duran Golf Club in Melbourne, Fla., Feb. 14-16. The Seminoles home tournament begins Feb. 26th at the beautiful new Seminole Legacy Golf Club in Tallahassee.
