OGA Announces 2021 Golfers of the Year

Nate Stember (Portland, Ore.) and Lara Tennant (Portland, Ore.) have been named 2021 OGA Golfers of the Year. The awards are given to the best male and female amateur golfers within OGA’s region of Oregon and Southwest Washington.

The OGA Golfer of the Year is voted on by the OGA Tournament Committee, a group of OGA staff members, volunteers and liaisons who work with the Association to help improve and promote OGA events and playing opportunities.

Stember earns his first OGA Men’s Golfer of the Year recognition. He is no stranger to local awards having won the 2018 OGA Junior Golf Boys Player of the Year.

His win at the 112th Oregon Amateur Championship and a runner-up finish at the 69th Oregon Men’s Stroke Play Championship separated him from a competitive field of candidates.

It is the fourth time in five years OGA Women's Golfer of the Year recognition has been bestowed upon Tennant, who won the award three consecutive times from 2017-2019.

Tennant’s season was highlighted with a third consecutive win at the U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. She became the first player in 20 years to win three in a row joining Carol Semple Thompson who was the last golfer to achieve the feat while winning four consecutive from 1999-2002.

Tennant played well in other national competitions as well, recording a top 30 finish in the U.S Senior Women’s Open while advancing to the round of 16 at the U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship.

Locally, has dominated the senior women’s ranks since becoming eligible in 2017. She won her fifth consecutive Oregon Senior Women’s Am title. Her five titles ranks second only to Joan Edwards-Powell who won six (1997, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2008, 2009). Tennant stands alone as no other player has won five consecutive titles.

She also took home a title at the 33rd Oregon Mid-Amateur Championship and a runner-up finish at the 76th OGA Tournament of Champions.

Post date: Mon, 12/06/2021 - 19:55