They say it’s tough to play on the greens in the 50s, let alone win the title. But Lara Tennant defies the odds claiming multiple championships on the greens. Remarkably, she also added the 2024 Scottish Senior Women’s Open to her victories tally as she approaches her 60s. She is an interesting golfer who is still an amateur. But why’s that?

While Tennant continues to compete on the golf course, her life has had its share of highs and lows, where golf has played a pivotal role, not just in her multiple victories, but also in shaping other meaningful aspects of her life. Let’s find out how.

Golf isn’t just a game for Lara Tennant

Although the world of golf knows Lara Tennant well, she is private about her personal life and has no Instagram, X, or LinkedIn account. Tennant was born on December 12, 1966. Her father George Mack was also a competitive golfer in their locality. Both her parents were members of Columbia Edgewater Country Club in Portland, and it was her father who introduced her to the game of golf.

As per the reports from Kinona Sport, Tennant started playing at the age of 10 alongside her four siblings. They used to compete in tournaments throughout their childhood and went on to play college golf. Interestingly Tennant also had an interest in skiing, volleyball, and basketball, however, she soon realized it was golf she was best at and continued pursuing it. She attended Central Catholic High School, where she played golf.

In the third year of the program, the girls’ team won the state high school championship, with Tennant playing a starring role. Despite her performance, the 57-year-old always wanted to stay an amateur. “I knew what the lifestyle was like, and I knew I didn’t want that,” she says. I knew that I would always stay an amateur,” Tennant was quoted as saying by the Pacific Northwest Golf Association website.

Lara Tennant’s dedication and love for the game granted her a spot at the University of Arizona, where she played four years on a full golf scholarship. She played the game while managing her academic life and earned Academic All-American honors. Golf played another crucial role in her life when she met her husband, Bob, on a blind date at a golf course.

Bob grew up next to the 12th hole at Waverley Country Club in Portland. Within six years of marriage, the couple was blessed with five children, the last two being twin daughters. Since golf is so important in Tennant’s life, let’s see what her achievements look like in the game.

Golf achievements that shaped Lara Tennant’s life so far

Tennant won the Oregon Coast Invitational 12 times during her collegiate career, beginning with the first Oregon Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship in 2003. She later won the tournament again in 2008, 2017, 2018, and 2021. She has also won the Oregon Tournament of Champions, Women’s Championship once, in the year 2004.

Oregon Women’s Stroke Play Championship witnessed Tennant’s name as a victor in the years 2007 and 2009. After 2017, the golfer turned 50 and started competing in the senior championships as well.

After securing 12 titles at the Oregon Coast Invitational, Tennant became the 11th player in history to win a USGA event three times in a row, claiming the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship in 2018, 2019, and 2021, while her father George caddied for her in each tournament.  Later dedicating these wins to her father, she said, “My father has been the best supporter of my game on the course.”

Aside from these, Lara Tennant was also PNGA Senior Women’s Player of the Year four times in the years 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2021. She added to her achievements by winning the 2019 British Senior Women’s Amateur Championship and the 2020 California Senior Women’s Amateur Championship.

The list of Tennant’s achievements got another name on it when she won the 2024 Scottish Senior Women’s Open. After all these achievements, one can say Tennant’s life revolves around golf for most parts.