Nancy Lopez- Golfer
By: Sarah Beth Bates
Nancy Lopez (1957-)
Nancy Lopez was born on January 6, 1957 in Torrance California, but was raised in Roswell New Mexico. Of Mexican descent, her parents Domingo and Marina Lopez raised her and her older sister in a traditional Catholic household. She started playing golf at the age of eight in 1964 using her parents old clubs. At the age of nine Nancy won her first tournament, and at the age of eleven she could beat both of her parents on the course. From then on, her dad became committed to developing Nancy's game.
Nancy's Life
When Nancy was twelve she won her first of three New Mexico's Women Amateur Championships. Then she won the U.S. Girls Junior Championship in both 1972 and 1974. Later on when she was a senior in High School she placed second in the 1975 Women's US Open. She goes on to attend college at Tulsa for two years on a golf scholarship. Her freshman year she was named University of Tulsa's Female Athlete of the Year. She then turns professional joining the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour. She later marries sportscaster Tim Melton then divorces him and marries baseball player Ray Knight and has three daughters. She wins 48 tournaments then undergoes knee surgery and bladder surgery in 1999. With three growing daughters at home, she decides to retire in 2002.
Nancy Lopez Sports Illustrated
Mexican Flag
Nancy Lopez and Family
"Great champions has an enormous sense of pride. The people who excel are those who are driven to show the world and prove to themselves just how good they are." -Nancy Lopez
Awards and Accomplishments
1976- All-American and University of Tulsa's Female Athlete of the Year
1978- Wins LPGA Championship; LPGA Rookie of the Year
1985- Awarded the Vare trophy
1987- inducted into LPGA Hall of Fame
1989- wins LPGA Championship; inducted into the PGA World Golf Hall of Fame
1997- Receives Hispanic Heritage Award
2002- Receives PGA of America's PGA First Lady of Golf Award