Daytona Beach, Fla., (May 26, 2023) The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Professionals announced today that Deb Vangellow, LPGA Master Golf Professional and LPGA Hall of Fame Member, is the recipient of the 2023 Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award, which recognizes an LPGA Professional who gives back to the game in the spirit of Nancy Lopez.
The Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award was created in 2007 and is given to an LPGA Professional who emulates qualities valued by Lopez: leadership, passion, giving, and approachability. Lopez is a 48-time LPGA Tour winner and four-time Rolex Player of the Year. She was inducted into the LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame in 1987 and captained the victorious 2005 U.S. Solheim Cup Team.
“It is an absolute privilege to be the recipient of the 2023 Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award which honors Nancy’s valued qualities of Leadership, Passion, Giving, and Approachability. These key points have been the model I have followed throughout my 30+ years as an LPGA Professionals Member,” expressed Vangellow. “After serving on the LPGA Foundation Board and having the opportunity to work directly with Nancy, it means a great deal to me to be the recipient of this wonderful award. I am so appreciative for this recognition and would like to thank the members who nominated me for this award, the LPGA for a terrific career, and to Nancy Lopez for this meaningful award.”
Deb Vangellow has been described as dynamic, passionate, and energetic. Currently, there is no one who exudes the Lopez qualities more. Vangellow served as the first ever National Vice-President for the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Membership and was then elected National President. She was instrumental in taking the research-based curriculum around the world. Her leadership grew the organization’s stature and increased the visibility of the LPGA’s very best teachers. She leads through service and by example, always leaving her mark everywhere she goes.
Her passion is demonstrated through her energetic ability to attract and keep people in the game. She has an insatiable curiosity and enjoys sharing her knowledge with as many people as possible. She excels at teaching “the whole game to the whole person.” Those who spend time with her develop a passion for golf because she is a natural teacher, a sought-after mentor and gifted at making people feel special.
No matter what the role, Vangellow has a reputation for being one of the hardest working professionals in the business, always giving 110% of herself. She has devoted countless hours teaching men, women, senior and junior golfers of all skill levels at Riverbend Country Club in Texas. She always balanced her teaching responsibilities with her unwavering commitment to the LPGA. Vangellow delivered new LPGA Professionals to the organization by teaching in the LPGA National Education Program for more than two decades. And for the last 30 years, she has generously given her heart and time to transform the lives of all her students through the game of golf.
Known for her permanent smile, reminiscent of Nancy Lopez, Vangellow is an approachable and highly regarded golf instructor in the industry. She is beloved by all who know her, open to sharing without judgement, and most importantly willing to help people become their best.
Vangellow continues to amass a lifetime of achievements and has received nearly every industry and LPGA award. She is being inducted into the LPGA Professionals Hall of Fame in November, and earlier this year, was named an LPGA Woman of Strength by Frieda Rothman. She was the 2021 LPGA Ellen Griffin Award Winner and the 2012 LPGA National Teacher of the Year. She is among Houston’s “Most Influential Women.” She is one of Golf Digest Magazine’s “America’s 50 Best Women Teachers”, an LPGA “Top 50 Teacher”, and a US Kids Golf “Top 50 Master Kids Teacher”.
Including Vangellow among the noteworthy list of past recipients continues elevating this award and honor those who have done so much for the game and all who play. Past recipients of the Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award include: Debbie O’Connell (2007), Troy Beck (2008), Patti Benson (2009), Lynn Stellman (2010), Malia Folquet (2011), Suzy Whaley (2012), Marvol Barnard (2013), Angela Aulenti (2014), Teresa Zamboni (2015), Donna White (2016), Sandy LaBauve (2017), Lynn Marriott (2018), Louise Ball (2019), Dana Rader (2020), Cindy Miller (2021), and Tina Tombs (2022).
About the LPGA Professionals
The LPGA Professionals, the largest membership of women golf professionals in the world, are certified through a comprehensive curriculum designed to meet the dynamic needs of the golfing public and go on to serve as educators, business leaders and game changers dedicated to growing the game of golf for everyone. Rising to nearly 1,900 members since its founding in 1959, LPGA Professionals are dedicated to the advancement of golf and serve throughout the industry in a variety of roles, such as supporting the LPGA’s various grassroots programs aimed to increase women and youth engagement in golf. For more information, visit www.lpga.com/professionals.
I am blessed to be one of Deb’s students. I can attest that the description of Deb’s personality is not hyperbole; that is precisely who she is. When you are taking a lesson from her, you are the only person in her world. She is focused entirely on you, without distraction. And she knows just what you need, not just skill-wise, but also emotionally. She really cares about the whole person.