The U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur Championship is largely a national championship for the working woman, mother or even grandmother. In that vein, Squire Creek Country Club had a fitting guest on the grounds Thursday as it prepares to host the 29th U.S. Women’s Mid-Amateur, beginning on Saturday.
Nancy Lopez, a World Golf Hall of Fame member, knows a little something about balancing golf and family. She compiled one of the most impressive LPGA Tour resumes of all-time while raising three daughters.
“It’s like working out. You have to make time for it. It’s a lot of scheduling to find time to practice, to find time to qualify for this event and do the traveling,” said Lopez of the required time commitment. “My hats off to the women who can do that, because it’s not that easy.
“I think it’s important to remain competitive and set a good example for your children. My kids saw how hard I worked and how motivated I was and the desire I had, and I think they carry that into their everyday lives. I didn’t want golf to stop me from having children. I was fortunate to be able to do both and I was able to bring the kids with me on tour when they were really young, before they were in school.”
Lopez, who recently returned from Germany after helping Juli Inkster and the USA Solheim Cup Team complete the biggest comeback in the event’s history, serving as an assistant captain, addressed children and grandchildren of Squire Creek members during the day and then spoke to championship competitors at the Welcome Dinner, often reflecting on her amateur career, which included victories in the 1972 and 1974 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championships.
A four-time U.S. Women’s Open runner-up, Lopez has fond memories of competing in USGA championships.
“You have to have your best game when you go to a USGA event because you know the golf course is going to be tough,” she said. “You have to have a great mental attitude. Coming to another USGA amateur event is a lot of fun. I have not been back to one in a while. I still remember competing in the Juniors and the Women’s Amateurs, and there was always a family feeling about it that was special, and I am seeing the same thing here. It’s good to see that hasn’t changed.”
The Bob Jones Award (the USGA’s highest honor) recipient in 1998, Lopez remains active promoting golf in numerous business ventures, including Nancy Lopez Golf, which makes women’s clubs and accessories.
Joey Flyntz is an associate writer for the USGA. Email him at jflyntz@usga.org.
