Canadian golf star Mackenzie Hughes has been a steady force on the PGA Tour since earning his card in 2017, and the 34-year-old has built a name for himself with grit and consistency. But much of the credit for his success lies in the unwavering and strong support system led by his wife, Jenna.

But Jenna Hughes isn’t just the ‘wife of a golfer.’ She’s a powerhouse in her own right. Jenna Shaw, now Jenna Hughes, grew up in the small town of Fredonia, New York. Born on February 9, 1990, she attended Fredonia High School and later earned her degree in Managerial Marketing from Kent State in 2012. It was at Kent State University that she met Mackenzie, and the two quickly formed a connection. So, the couple’s journey together goes way back and started long before Mackenzie Hughes had become a familiar name on the PGA Tour.

But while Mackenzie continued to chase success on the PGA Tour, Jenna built a remarkable life and career of her own. After working as a Marketing Manager at a digital agency in North Carolina, she shifted her focus to philanthropy and family. She is now the Founder and President of The Mackenzie Hughes Family Foundation, which launched its first annual charity tournament two weeks ago. The event was a smashing success, and Jenna, although a private person on social media, couldn’t help but share the success of the event.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Jenna wrote — “We are beyond grateful to our incredible sponsors, friends, pros, supporters, MHFF board members, Longview Golf Course, and everyone in between who helped us kick off our first annual Mackenzie Hughes Family Foundation event at Longview.” She, along with the foundation, raised nearly half a million dollars in just the debut year of the tournament. Clearly, her impact goes far beyond just supporting from the sidelines.

She’s not only the emotional anchor of the Hughes family but also a dynamic leader in her own right—turning passion into purpose and building something that gives back to the community in a big way. In addition to her role with the foundation, Jenna Hughes also serves as Vice President of Fundraising & Treasury on the board of the PGA Tour Wives Association, volunteering regularly at community outreach events.

And at the heart of all she does is the partnership she’s built with Mackenzie, a relationship rooted in friendship, shared ambition, and unwavering support.

Jenna and Mackenzie Hughes’s relationship

Jenna and Mackenzie Hughes’s love story began at Kent State University, and after dating throughout college, Mackenzie proposed to Jenna on June 26, 2016. Just four months later, they exchanged vows in a beautiful fall ceremony at Langtree Plantation in Lake Norman, North Carolina. And it wasn’t long before Jenna’s presence in Mackenzie’s life brought luck, as less than a month after their wedding, Mackenzie won the 2016 RSM Classic in dramatic, wire-to-wire fashion, becoming the first rookie in two decades to do so. It was a victory that not only launched his PGA Tour career but marked the start of their journey as a team, on and off the course.

Along with the trophy, Hughes pocketed over $1 million, secured his PGA Tour card through 2019, and earned a coveted spot at the 2017 Masters. It was not bad for a rookie and definitely worth postponing the honeymoon. The couple eventually celebrated their honeymoon in Thailand, likely with a few extra luxuries thanks to that winner’s check. Since then, their relationship has only grown stronger. Together, Mackenzie and Jenna are raising three young children — Kenton Robert, born on October 3, 2017; Cohen, born in December 2020; and their daughter Ellie Mae, born in early 2024.

When they’re not traveling for tour events or running charity tournaments, the family enjoys spending time at the lake, traveling, and keeping life as normal as possible amid the whirlwind of their careers. Whether it’s Mackenzie grinding through tour stops or Jenna organizing charity events and juggling life at home with their three kids, they have built a partnership defined by mutual respect and unwavering support. Mackenzie often credits Jenna for keeping him grounded, while Jenna continues to be his emotional rock and biggest cheerleader.