CGN+ Player Highlight and Interview: Emma Tang Builds a Historic Legacy at Navy

Navy senior Emma Tang has established herself as one of the most accomplished golfers in program history, earning consecutive Patriot League Women’s Golfer of the Year awards and individual conference championships in 2025 and 2026.

The Chino Hills, California, native has also helped Navy capture three consecutive Patriot League team championships. She opened her senior season with two individual victories, bringing her career total to five.

Tang joined CGN+’s Bobby Goldstein to discuss her introduction to golf, recruitment to the Naval Academy, mental approach to competition and goals for her final collegiate season.

Emma Tang Career Highlights

• Patriot League Women’s Golfer of the Year: Earned the award in 2025 and 2026, becoming the first Navy women’s golfer to receive the honor in 2025.
• Patriot League Individual Champion: Won consecutive titles in 2025 and 2026.
• Conference Team Championships: Helped Navy win three consecutive Patriot League titles.
• All-Patriot League First Team: Selected in 2024, 2025 and 2026.
• Career Individual Victories: Five through October 2026.
• Patriot League Golfer of the Week: Seven career awards through October 7, 2026.
• 2024 to 2025 Season: Established a Navy program record with a 74.38 scoring average.
• 2026 Lehigh Autumn Harvest: Shared individual medalist honors at 1 over 214, setting a Navy 54 hole scoring record.
• 2026 Navy Fall Invitational: Won by five strokes at 2 under 142, including a career low opening round of 68.
• NCAA Regional Appearances: Competed in three consecutive NCAA Regional Championships.

From California to the Naval Academy

Tang began playing golf at age 12 after her family moved into a neighborhood with a golf course.

Initially reluctant to participate in Saturday youth lessons, she gradually developed an interest in the sport. Although naturally left handed, she learned to play with right handed clubs.

At Chino Hills High School, Tang competed on the golf team during her freshman and sophomore years before focusing on individual practice and junior tournaments.

She later competed in AJGA events and California’s Toyota Tour Cup.

Her recruitment to Navy began after meeting future teammate Sue Lee at a junior tournament in Maryland. Lee encouraged Tang to consider the Naval Academy, leading her to visit the campus.

Tang ultimately chose Navy despite having no previous family background in the military.

During her interview, she discussed the Academy’s academic and military commitments, including the five years of service required after graduation.

Finding Confidence Through a Different Mental Approach

Tang arrived at Navy with experience competing in major junior and amateur tournaments.

She credited those experiences with helping her manage pressure during her freshman season, when she earned All Patriot League First Team recognition and helped Navy win the conference championship.

Tang recorded a 76.64 scoring average and finished third at the Lady Blue Hen Invitational.

She explained that moving away from home helped her develop a more relaxed approach to competition.

Rather than dwelling on mistakes, Tang learned to move forward after difficult shots and maintain her composure.

She also discussed advice from her father about controlling her emotions during competition, believing that remaining composed helps prevent opponents from recognizing frustration.

Making Navy History

Tang’s sophomore season marked a significant breakthrough.

She lowered her scoring average to a program record 74.38, won two individual tournaments and helped Navy capture its second consecutive Patriot League team championship.

Her individual conference victory at even par 216 earned her Patriot League Women’s Golfer of the Year honors, making her the first player in Navy women’s golf history to receive the award.

During the interview, Tang described the recognition as especially meaningful because of the lasting place it gives her in the program’s history.

She continued that success as a junior, defending her Patriot League individual championship with a 4 over 220.

Tang also earned her second consecutive conference Golfer of the Year award while helping Navy secure a third straight team championship.

Consecutive Victories Open Senior Season

Tang began the 2026 to 2027 season with individual victories at the Lehigh Autumn Harvest and Navy Fall Invitational.

At Lehigh, she shared medalist honors with a 54 hole total of 214, establishing a Navy program record.

She followed with another championship at the Navy Fall Invitational, shooting rounds of 68 and 74 to finish at 2 under 142.

Her opening round 68 tied for second in Navy program and course history, while her five stroke victory marked her fifth career individual title.

The tournament also served as Tang’s final home competition, where she was recognized alongside fellow seniors Keira Howard and Una Johnson.

Following those performances, Tang received her seventh career Patriot League Golfer of the Week award on October 7.

Looking Ahead to Spring 2027

With two individual victories already secured during her senior season, Tang wants to finish her collegiate career without regrets.

She identified putting as an area she hopes to continue improving, particularly after struggling with three putts in previous competitions.

Tang has recently seen progress with longer birdie putts and hopes to carry that improvement into the spring.

As she prepares to complete her final season at Navy, Tang remains focused on finishing strong with her teammates before beginning her postgraduation military service commitment.

Sources:

Emma Tang | Navy CGN+ Player Highlight and Interview

Player Profile: Emma Tang | Navy Women’s Golf