
USA Today via Reuters
May 30, 2024; Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA; Jennifer Kupcho (USA) hits a tee shot on the fifteenth hole during the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
May 30, 2024; Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA; Jennifer Kupcho (USA) hits a tee shot on the fifteenth hole during the first round of the U.S. Women’s Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports
For Jennifer Kupcho, golf has never been just a sport—it’s been a family affair from the very start. Growing up in Westminster, Colorado, she was surrounded by a household that lived and breathed competition. Her dad, Mike Kupcho, was the one who first introduced her to the game, and her older brother, Steven, quickly became both a mentor and her toughest competitor.
And if there’s one thing about growing up with an older brother in sports, it’s that nothing comes easy. Steven, who played college golf at the University of Northern Colorado, set the bar high. Their sibling rivalry meant endless hours of competition, pushing Kupcho to sharpen her game and mental grit that would later define her professional career.
Meanwhile, her mom, Janet, played a different but equally important role, keeping everything running smoothly behind the scenes. From juggling tournament logistics to making sure Kupcho had the support she needed, Janet was the glue holding it all together.
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Jennifer Kupcho’s family is the backbone of her flourishing career
Sure, Kupcho had talent, but her family made sure she never got too comfortable. In the Kupcho household, golf wasn’t just about hitting good shots—it was about discipline, patience, and never backing down from a challenge.
Mike continued to help fine-tune her game as she grew older, making sure she had everything she needed to compete on the highest levels. And it worked. Kupcho took her talents to Wake Forest University, where she became the nation’s top-ranked amateur. But her defining moment came in 2019 when she won the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Kupcho’s parents were right there, watching every second of it, cheering her on as she made history. “After she got to Wake we would have never guessed in your wildest dreams the kinds of things she would accomplish,” said Mike Kupcho, Jennifer’s dad, who helped teach the game to Jennifer and her older brother. “Now to add this inaugural tournament at Augusta, you would have never dreamed of that either. You kind of get used to it, but it’s still kind of like, oh, OK, one more thing,” he added. Imagine how surreal that must have felt—watching your daughter win on one of golf’s most hallowed grounds.
Life beyond the greens
While golf has always been a huge part of Jennifer’s life, she’s also found happiness off the course. In 2022, she married Jay Monahan—and no, not the PGA Tour commissioner (same name, different guy!). Jay is a fellow golfer who eventually transitioned into caddying full-time, and he’s been a constant for Jennifer ever since.
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The couple’s love story started at Superstition Mountain Golf and Country Club in Phoenix, Arizona, where Jennifer was a member and Jay was working as a caddie. It didn’t take long for sparks to fly, and in August 2021, Jay proposed her with a message on a dessert plate saying: “Will you marry me?” Jennifer said yes, of course, and shared the moment with fans on Instagram: “I said yes! Can’t wait to spend forever with you.” The pair tied the knot on February 19, 2022, at—where else?—Superstition Mountain, the very place where their journey together began.
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Where are Jennifer Kupcho’s parents now?
These days, Mike and Janet have settled into a quieter life in Delta, Colorado, while Steven has built his home in Cave Creek, Arizona—not far from Kupcho’s base in Mesa. Though they may not all live in the same place anymore, the Kupcho family bond remains as strong as ever.
And how can we not mention it? The Kupcho family has grown! Jennifer is now an aunt, and she absolutely loves spending time with her niece whenever she gets the chance. Funny how life comes full circle—Steven once showed Kupcho the ropes in golf, and now she’s passing that same love for the game down to the next generation.
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Now, as she continues making waves on the LPGA Tour, one thing remains the same: her biggest fans aren’t just in the galleries—they’re the people who’ve been there from the very beginning.
And that’s what makes her story so special.
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