From Teaching Pro to Competing on the Senior Open: Tommy Masters’ Inspiring Journey

For over thirty years, Tommy Masters has been teaching the game of golf. Originally from Virginia, he was a standout junior golfer who decided to forgo college and turn pro. Despite the challenges he faced on mini-tours, Masters has no regrets about his decisions.

In late 1996, Masters made the decision to move to the San Joaquin Country Club full-time and has been there ever since. Despite leaving the professional playing circuit for a teaching role in Fresno, he never lost his desire to compete at the highest level. He attempted to qualify for the Senior Open for years through a local qualifier, and after hitting a low point two years ago, he made a pact with himself to try again.

With his son on the bag, Masters returned to the Senior Open qualifier last year and not only qualified but also took home medalist honors with a low score of 69. This emotional achievement marked a turning point in his golfing career and life as he finally received recognition for his dedication to the game.

Now preparing for his first ever US Senior Open in Newport, Rhode Island, with his son by his side once again, Masters sees this opportunity as a gift that is a culmination of all his years spent teaching and playing golf. It’s a reminder that hard work, determination, and a love for the game can lead to incredible accomplishments.