Lopez, Nancy (1957-…), became one of the greatest and most popular players in the history of women’s golf. Her exciting game and warm personality made Lopez a crowd favorite from the start of her career. Her skill and popularity raised women’s professional golf to greater prominence. In 1978, her first full year as a professional, she won nine tournaments, five in succession. That year, Lopez, who is Mexican American, also became the first Hispanic player to win a Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) tournament. Lopez won eight golf tournaments in 1979.
Lopez was born on Jan. 6, 1957, in Torrance, California, and raised in Roswell, New Mexico. She began learning golf from her father, an amateur player. She won the New Mexico Women’s Amateur title at the age of 12. Lopez joined the LPGA in 1977. She won Player of the Year honors several times. After gaining the 35th victory of her career in 1987, Lopez was inducted into the LPGA’s Hall of Fame. Lopez retired from golf in 2002, though she returned to play in several tournaments in 2007 and 2008. From 1982 to 2009, Lopez was married to the baseball player Ray Knight.
