Durango’s Sean Johnson was one yard away from world glory – The Durango Herald

Sean Johnson: Making Waves in the World Long Drive Championship

Sean Johnson may be a newcomer to the World Long Drive scene, but he’s already making a name for himself. With a fierce competitive spirit and an unwavering determination, Johnson is on a mission to win.

In a recent showdown against three-time world champion Kyle Berkshire, Johnson came incredibly close to clinching the title. The final round took place at Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta, where Johnson showcased his skills and nearly secured the victory.

The competition involved each golfer hitting three balls before their opponent took their turn. After the initial round, each player had three more balls, with the furthest distance determining the winner. Johnson initially had the lead, but knew he had to push himself even further.

“I hit one out there 397 yards and I thought to myself, ‘This is Kyle Berkshire. I need to hit one farther than that,'” Johnson shared. “So I gave it my all on my three shots, and he ended up going out of bounds on his turn. So I gave it everything I had on my last three shots. Unfortunately, they all went out of bounds. And then, on his first shot of his second round, he hit one that surpassed mine by less than a yard.”

Although Johnson didn’t achieve the first-place victory he was aiming for, his journey to the top echelons of long drive is truly remarkable.

Growing up in Durango, Johnson developed a love for golf at Hillcrest Golf Club. However, his main focus during his younger years was hockey. He even caught the attention of recruiters while participating in a hockey tournament in Colorado Springs, leading him to attend Fountain Valley School on a hockey scholarship.

“It was an amazing opportunity to play high school hockey in Colorado and travel around the East Coast to compete against prep schools,” Johnson recalled. “I even got the chance to visit the Czech Republic and play against their national team. It was a perfect situation for me to reach a higher level of play while also receiving a great education.”

However, everything changed for Johnson when he experienced a sudden growth spurt towards the end of high school. This led him to shift his focus to baseball, where he excelled as a pitcher. He received offers to play both Division III baseball and hockey, but ultimately chose baseball after suffering a shoulder injury.

Johnson’s baseball career took him to Iowa Western Junior College, where he won a JUCO national championship. He was then drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 31st round of the 2013 MLB draft. Unfortunately, his professional baseball journey was cut short in 2021 when he partially tore his labrum in his shoulder.

After his injury, Johnson decided to give long drive a try. His first event took place in August 2021, just a few months after his labrum tear. With the support and guidance of long-drive coach Bobby Peterson, Johnson quickly adapted to swinging a long drive driver and honed his skills.

“Swinging a long drive club is a different technique compared to a regular golf club,” Johnson explained. “Most drivers have a different angle, so you don’t have to hit up on the ball as much to achieve the desired height. When I first started using a long drive club, I was struggling to get the ball higher than 10 feet off the ground.”

However, Johnson’s dedication and perseverance paid off. He steadily improved, reaching the final eight in two events and finishing fifth in the 2022 World Long Drive World Championships. In addition, he was named “Rookie of the Year” in the World Long Drive circuit.

Although the season has come to an end, Johnson continues to work on his game in Sacramento, California. While selling wine during the day, he spends his free time at the range, hitting hundreds of balls with his driver. His ultimate goal is to make long drive his full-time career.

“I know that if I can hit the ball at my top speed with a good flight, I have a chance to beat anyone in the sport,” Johnson emphasized. “So my focus is always on winning the whole thing.”

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