2025 Coach Impact Megan Johnston
“ I grew up in Northern Ireland, and I’ ve played golf since I was three,” she shared. After playing college golf in the United States, her path shifted under a coach who changed everything.“ He really just kind of lit a fire on coaching,” she said. From there, she found her passion working with junior golfers, particularly girls looking for someone to whom they could relate. Through U. S. Kids Golf, she learned to connect with kids without talking above their level.
The program reaches players of all abilities. Some come for the fun of earning pins; others develop into competitors.“ They always want to come back to the golf course because they had a good time.” Ageappropriate tee boxes are a big part of why: by playing from distances that match their ability, kids build confidence early and keep growing.
But for Megan, the most meaningful moments go beyond performance. While coaching in Florida, she worked with a young player named Josh, who was on the autism spectrum and largely nonverbal. She adapted everything such as colors and visual cues to meet him where he was.
Then one day, he got out of the car and said,“ Hi, Coach Megan.” His mom was almost in tears. He had never done that before.
From there, Josh began to open up, gaining confidence that extended well beyond golf. For Megan, it was a reminder of what coaching is about.“ It was one of the coolest coaching opportunities I’ ve ever had.”
Because in the end, the game is only part of the story. The real impact is in the lives it helps shape.
“ It was one of the coolest coaching opportunities I’ ve ever had.”