Seasoned golfer Nick Kent is ready for action in the 2025 National Senior Games presented by Humana, despite facing some challenges and frustration.
Nick Kent is a 79-year-old golfer who hails from The Villages, Florida. Nick first learned to hit the ball from his mother and has competed in the National Senior Games since 2007.
While golf has been a big part of Nick’s life, he did not start playing until his children moved out. Like many at The Games, Nick’s relationship with his sport did not become serious until the pressures of parenting and working lessened. Nick also works at a golf club in Florida, so he has experience seeing golfers of all skill levels.
Nick is a star player who often stands atop the podium, and he emphasizes the importance of practice and preparedness to get there. “I spend more time practicing and less time playing than people think,” Nick confesses. While many golfers, including Nick, can get frustrated with a lack of consistency on the green, he believes the solution is practice, practice and more practice. His advice to a newbie? “Take a lesson or two first, and make sure to practice on the driving range,” Nick advises.
Like many athletes, Nick has overcome hardships before making it to the games. The golfer sports a wrist brace on his right hand and has struggled with pain recently. “This year I have arthritis and Carpal tunnel syndrome in my right hand, I basically took four months off,” Nick said. With shots and pain medication, he has been able to return to the course to compete in the sport he loves most, despite his aches.
What is Nick’s favorite part of The Games? “You’re competing against yourself, but you’re also competing against other people in your age group, so you get to see how you compare,” he shared. However, Nick also admitted that he does enjoy letting his competitive side shine. Good luck on the green, Nick!
By: Sydney Parker
