Johnson Recognized on Golfweek Website

2008-05-02T11:04:00.000-07:00

Check out this link, which highlight's Jessica Johnson's accomplishment at the Bismarck State College Tournament:

http://www.golfweek.com/story/womensnotes-050208

Way to go Jessica!

Johnson Wins Tournament with Hole-in-One

2008-04-28T19:50:00.000-07:00

You could call it one of the rarest occurrences in sports. The ever elusive “Hole-in-One” is a feat seldom accomplished by anyone who has picked up a golf club. From the professional ranks on down to the every-day hacker, a Hole-in-One is something that every athlete understands is as difficult a feat as making a game-winning shot or receiving a perfect score.

But to do it in a tournament? Unheard of!

On your final hole of the day? Unprecedented!

To win that tournament by just 1 shot? Unbelievable!

And that is just what happened to Jamestown College’s Jessica Johnson, who used a pitching wedge to ace the 105-yard par 3 3rd hole Thursday at The Bismarck State College Invitational Golf Tournament, held at Hawktree Golf Course in Bismarck, North Dakota.

The tournament, which took place on April 17th, was played in “shotgun” format, with each group starting on a different hole. Johnson’s group began play on the 4th hole, which led to her group’s final hole being the tricky downhill 3rd.

“It’s got an elevated tee and a tiny little green that’s protected by a tree,” Jimmie Head Golf Coach Scott Moore said. “It’s not an easy shot.”

While her group looked on, Johnson approached the tee box.

“As I stepped up to hit, the wind was blowing and I was thinking about how hard I should swing. It was downhill, so I took a 3/4 backswing and tried to be as smooth as I could.”

The ball hit squarely off the clubface and rocketed into the partly-sunny skies. As it dropped onto the green, it took two or three bounces, hit the pin straight on, and dropped into the cup.

“I screamed and hopped into the air…then shock took over and I just stood there,” Johnson said. I couldn’t believe it happened. The girls in my group were screaming too and asking ‘why aren’t you jumping around more?’ I guess I was in too much shock.”

Junior Adam Gebhardt, who plays on the Jimmie men’s team, was just finishing up his round when he overheard the commotion at the 3rd hole. “I heard a lot of screaming and hollering coming from the tee box. Our group actually thought we were going to get hit with a ball.”

“As soon as we didn’t see a ball coming towards us, we went over to the green and saw them [Johnson’s group] jumping up and down and screaming.”

Johnson, a freshman from Roseau, Minnesota, recently received All-Conference honors from the Dakota Athletic Conference, after finishing in 4th place overall this season.

The Jimmie Women’s Golf Team will head to Sioux Falls, South Dakota this weekend, to participate in the Region III Tournament, to be held at Elmwood Golf Course on Monday and Tuesday.

Johnson will lead her team into the tournament, in hopes of playing in the National Tournament in San Diego, Calif. And of course, the ball that brought such jubilation and excitement to her and her teammates will be with her on the trip. “I keep it in my backpack, along with the scorecard,” she said, with a giant smile on her face.

“It couldn’t have happened to a better person,” Moore says. “She works so hard in the classroom, and she’s involved with the choir on campus. It’s remarkable how she’s able to balance it all.”

Jamestown College Golf

Johnson Recognized on Golfweek Website

Johnson Wins Tournament with Hole-in-One