Welcome to Women’s History Wednesdays!
I was born into a golf family. My parents were founding members of two African American golf clubs in East Orange, New Jersey – the Duffers (men) and the Dufferettes (women). My parents played every weekend and traveled several times a year to tournaments all over the United States. The family watched golf every Sunday. As a kid, I helped my father create the poster board scoreboards (I had GREAT handwriting) for the golf tournaments his club hosted. I know A LOT about the sport but since golf overshadowed my childhood, I refused to play (except mini golf).
Nancy Lopez’s name was constant in my house. She was the first woman that I could remember that the TV tournaments made a big deal about. She was a trailblazing Mexican American professional golfer who left an indelible mark on the sport.
Nancy Marie Lopez was born on January 6, 1957, to Domingo and Marina Lopez in Torrance, California. She and her older sister were raised in Roswell, New Mexico. She discovered her love for golf at the tender age of 8 and began to play golf with her family. When her father recognized her athletic talent in the sport, he started to coach her, using old clubs with shortened shafts.
Amateur Success
Lopez won her first tournament at 9 years old. At age 12, she won three New Mexico Women’s Amateur Championships. She was a nationally ranked-amateur in high school. She led her “all-male” high school golf team to a state championship. In 1972 and 1974, she secured victory in the U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship at ages 15 and 17, respectively. As a senior in high school, Lopez made her mark in the U.S. Women’s Open, tying for second place in 1975. Lopez enrolled at the University of Tulsa on a golf scholarship. In her freshman year, she won the Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) national intercollegiate golf championship and was named the university’s Female Athlete of the Year. Lopez represented the U.S. in the Curtis Cup and World Amateur teams.
She turned pro after her sophomore year at UT and joined the LPGA Tour. Her debut season in 1978 was nothing short of spectacular. She won nine tournaments, including five consecutive victories and graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. She earned accolades such as LPGA Rookie of the Year and LPGA Player of the Year. Throughout her career, she amassed over 30 LPGA titles and became a dominant force in women’s golf. Despite taking partial seasons off in 1983 and 1984 due to motherhood, she continued to excel.
Returning full-time in 1985, Lopez achieved remarkable milestones with five wins, five seconds, and five thirds. She achieved money titles, scoring titles, and the prestigious Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year award (for the second time).
Legacy and Awards
Nancy Lopez’s legacy includes her induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1989, the USGA’s Bob Jones Award for distinguished sportsmanship, The Frances Ouimet Award for lifelong contributions to golf (the first woman to receive this honor) and her role as founder and principal of the Nancy Lopez Golf Company.
Nancy Lopez retired after the 2002 season because of physical ailments and familial responsibilities. She ended her career with 48 tournament wins totaling $5 million. Retirement has not stopped Lopez – she has a clothing and equipment line for women called Nancy Lopez Golf and she hosts an annual golf tournament where she lives in Florida to benefit AIM, a charity dedicated to helping people with special needs.
Nancy Lopez’s impact transcends golf; she embodies determination, excellence, and breaking barriers and inspires girls from any background to pick up a golf club and dream big.
To learn more about Nancy Lopez and her golf career, visit https://www.lpga.com/lpga-hall-of-fame/nancy-lopez