A childhood love of sport has taken Lara Tennant (b. Dec 12, 1966) to a lifetime of adventure on the golf course where she has spent decades as a champion amateur.

She was Lara Mack, growing up with parents and four siblings who played golf along with other sports.

Lara and sister Renee were part of the first girls’ classes at Central Catholic High School that had immediate success on and off the court. Lara was a four-year national honor scholar and competed in volleyball, basketball, skiing, and, of course, golf.

The Rams girls’ golf team was an instant hit, winning four league titles and Central’s first ever girls team state championship in 1983.

Lara won the Metro League individual title as a senior after finishing 2^nd for three years. She also was 2^nd in the state tournament as a senior.

That success earned her a full scholarship at the University of Arizona. She won her share of amateur tournaments and decided to stay an amateur although she would have had options to turn pro.

Marriage and family took center stage, golf was a sidelight until Lara reached her 40’s. She kept entering and winning tournaments and when Waverly Golf Club hosted the Senior Women’s Amateur in 2017, Tennant celebrated her 50^th birthday earning co-medalist honors.

Now golf became serious.  Lara studied the game, spent more time on practice and was rewarded with a string of success in major events.

Back-to-back US Senior Amateur titles in 2018 and 19, then the British Senior Amateur, then the US again in 2021. In all, she has qualified for 23 USGA championships and won 7 Oregon Senior championships.

Family remains a big part of her golf life. A family member has caddied for her at every national championship she has played in. She met her husband, Bob, on a golf date at Waverly.

And Waverly was the host to this year’s Senior Open, allowing Tennant to play again in front of family and friends on her home course.

Lara Tennant was Inducted into the Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame in 2022.