Take one glance at Joanna Coe’s right knee, you’ll know. It exudes pain and heartache, but also triumph and obstacles hurdled. She jokes she might one day tattoo a smiley face around it.
They say the third time is a charm. The saying might be accurate for Coe, who will tee it up this week at the Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club with her third anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her right knee.
Seven years ago, she tore her right ACL and meniscus during her senior year of high school, which ended her stellar soccer career. As a side note, she owns the goals and assists record at Oakcrest High School.
In May of 2014, it happened again. She tore her right ACL and meniscus during the Epson Tour tournament in Greenwood, South Carolina. It could have and very nearly did put a close to her professional golf career.
“Honestly, I had to ask myself ‘do I want to do this again?’ said Coe after a Wednesday practice session. “I felt sorry for myself for a little bit because that is a natural reaction. For a little while I was contemplating moving on and going to teach golf or go back to school.”
Coe had a great start to the 2014 season and ultimately decided to battle through the setback.
“Sports have been my whole life and it (ACL injury) ended the other big sport in my life and I was just telling myself that this is just not fair,” said Coe.
Early in 2014, the Mays Landing, New Jersey native posted top 10 finishes at Longbow Golf Club and at the Guardian Retirement Championship at Sara Bay. She was off to the best start of her professional career before the injury.
“I finally got that taste of being in contention and I started to figure it out on the Epson Tour so I was like you know what, I think I can get back to that”, said Coe, who is one of the hardest working players on Tour. “To hit shots really well and to be in contention is a high to me so I told myself that I might as well try it again.”
Half jokingly, Coe admits that her surgery date of June 19 was perfect.
“I had my surgery at the right time because for the whole month I watched every world cup game,” said Coe. “I was on the couch for a month watching world cup, Wimbledon, men’s and women’s U.S. Open golf. It was the best TV month ever.”
In all seriousness, the whole process was a grind. At first, she couldn’t do the simplest things like shower and make breakfast without assistance from her mom and sister. She couldn’t even hold a cup of coffee because of the crutches.
Two months after surgery, she started going to therapy in Princeton, New Jersey at the same place where the U.S. Rowing team trains. It is one of the top physical therapy sites in the northeast.
“I had to learn to walk with my heel down first and then straitening your leg and then range of motion and then eventually it is getting your quad back,” said Coe. “I started doing little leg raises and side raises.”
“It’s this whole process of strengthening and getting the scar tissue out of there.”
Miraculously, Coe was walking, teaching golf lessons and even doing some putting, chipping and light swinging in August. Her relentless drive has her far ahead of schedule.
“Originally, the timeline for my return was way farther then now,” said Coe. “They (doctors) told me that you might be ready by February, but probably not.”
Coe was secretly plotting her own timeline. She’s actually been swinging hard for about two months preparing for the season.
“I like the way I’m hitting it right now and I think I’m back to 100 percent with my golf game,” said Coe. “Getting the taste of doing it under pressure is what I need to get and that is all mental and has nothing to do with my knee.”
The untold story of Coe’s recovery is the help former Epson Tour professional Alex Gibson has provided. Gibson is now working with the Gary Gilchrist Golf Academy in Clermont, Florida.
Coe, who is stronger and leaner than she has ever been, is now training with Gibson.
“She’s a friend and a golfer and I hired her and she’s been a huge help,” said Coe. “I lost some weight, I toned up and she really kicked my butt into shape.”
The noticeable scars on her right knee are the constant reminders of what she has been through and what she has overcome.
“When I look down at the scars and remember what my leg looked like when it was no muscle and all bone I tell myself if I can get through that it is easy out here,” said Coe. “It is just hitting a golf ball which is nothing compared to what I’ve been through.”
Her never give up attitude has her more determined than ever to chase her LPGA Tour dream.
Will the third ACL be the one that leads her to an LPGA card? Don’t bet against Joanna Coe.
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