2026 SENIOR CHAMPIONSHIP
The 2026 Senior Championship is shaping up to be an outstanding field of talent and competition! This year’s championship features three players—Julie Streng, Tara Joy-Connelly, and Deb Jackson—who competed in the prestigious U.S. Senior Women’s Open, along with an impressive 14 players ranked in the Official World Golf Ranking for women age 50 and over. With competitors representing 17 states plus Canada, this year’s championship truly brings together some of the best senior women golfers from across the country and beyond. Get ready for an exciting championship featuring experience, talent, and plenty of competitive fire!
PLAYERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON
The 2026 Women’s Senior Amateur Championship at The Emerald Golf Club features a field loaded with talent, experience, and championship pedigree. From Hall of Famers and Players of the Year to champions at every level of the game, these competitors have built impressive resumes and know what it takes to win. Let’s meet some of the players to watch as the championship unfolds!
TARA JOY-CONNELLY- 53 Melvin Village, NH
JUDY PENMAN - 64
Pinehurst, NC
Tara Joy-Connelly is one of the top senior women’s golfers in the United States, currently ranked 23rd in the Official World Golf Ranking for women golfers age 50 and over (Week 39) and sixth among senior women golfers in the United States. A proven competitor on both the national and international stage, Tara captured the 2025 New England Women’s Senior Amateur and the Spanish International Senior Ladies Championship. In 2026, she continued her strong run of form with runner-up finishes at the New England Women’s Senior Amateur and the AGA Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. Tara has also competed at the highest levels of amateur senior golf, qualifying for and playing in both the U.S. Senior Women’s Open and the USGA Women’s Mid-Amateur, while advancing to the Round of 32 at the USGA Women’s Senior Amateur in Portland. Her combination of national and international victories, consistent high finishes, and championship-level experience has established her as one of the leading senior women’s amateur golfers in the United States.
Judy Penman is one of the leading senior women’s amateur golfers in the United States, currently ranked 26th in the Official World Golf Ranking for women age 50 and over and eighth among senior women golfers in the United States (Week 39). Judy has enjoyed another strong season of competition, highlighted by an eighth-place finish at the Canadian Senior Amateur and four additional top-10 finishes, including third-place finishes at both the Arizona Women’s Senior Amateur and the North & South Senior, a fifth-place finish at the Annual Bluegrass Women’s Senior Amateur Championship, and an eighth-place finish at the Donna Andrews Invitational. Judy’s success on the national senior circuit follows an outstanding 2025 season, when she captured the North & South Senior Women’s title. Her consistent top-level performances and championship pedigree have established her as one of the country’s premier senior women’s amateur golfers.
KIM KEYER-SCOTT - 58
Estero, FL
MARY JANE HIESTAND - 67
Naples, FL
Kim Keyer-Scott is a standout competitor in senior women’s amateur golf, highlighted by an impressive 2026 season that included a championship victory at the North & South Senior Amateur in Pinehurst in August. Scott is currently ranked 31st in the Official World Golf Ranking (week 39) for women age 50 and over and 11th among senior women in the United States. Kim also earned a runner-up finish at the Citrus Golf Trail Senior Ladies Invitational and recorded five additional top-10 finishes, including third-place showings at both the Florida Women’s Senior Amateur Championship and the First Coast Senior Women’s Amateur. She continued her strong season on the national stage at the USGA Senior Women’s Amateur in Oregon, where she advanced to the Round of 16. With a combination of championship success, consistent top finishes, and deep USGA tournament experience, Kim has established herself as a formidable presence in senior women’s amateur golf.
Mary Jane “MJ” Hiestand is a highly accomplished senior women’s amateur golfer with a remarkable record of success at the national level. Currently ranked 43rd in the Official World Golf Ranking for senior women and 19th among senior women in the United States (Week 39), MJ has enjoyed another strong 2026 season, recording three top-10 finishes, including a third-place finish at the First Coast Senior Women’s Amateur, a fourth-place finish at the Florida Women’s Senior Amateur Championship, and a fifth-place finish at the Jones Doherty Senior Women’s Amateur Championship. A veteran of an extraordinary 51 USGA Championships, MJ was runner-up at the 2017 U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur and a semifinalist at the 2013 U.S. Senior Women’s Amateur. Her distinguished career and lasting impact on the game have earned her a place in the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame, cementing her legacy as one of the most accomplished senior women’s amateur golfers in the country.
Other Ranked Players
Pam Kuong
Massachusetts - Rank 49 (22 in the US)
Suzanne Ricard
Canada/Florida - Rank 51
Kristin Shifflett
Virginia - Rank 53 (23 in the US)
Kristyl Sunderman
Georgia- Rank 61 (26 in the US)
Beatriz Arenas
Guatemala/Florida - Rank 62
Lea Venable
South Carolina - Rank 75 (34 in the US)
Anna Schultz
Texas - Rank 83 (38 in the US)
Wendi Christensen
Florida - Rank 85 (39 in the US)
Terrill Samuel
Canada - Rank 87