STOCKBRIDGE, Ga. — Meredith Duncan, winner of the 2001 U.S. Women’s Amateur and a collegiate star for the LSU women’s golf team, has been selected as the recipient of the third annual Nancy Lopez Award.
Named after one of the greatest and most respected women golfers in history, the award is presented annually to the world’s most outstanding female amateur. The inaugural winner was Kellee Booth, who is now an LPGA Tour professional. Last year, Aree Wongluekiet captured the award.
The award is a key facet of the relationship between Nancy Lopez and the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez. As the event ‘s official host, Lopez will present the award to Duncan at a gala banquet to be held Thursday night (May 2) of tournament week. Along with the award comes a sponsor invitation to compete in the tournament which Duncan has accepted. In addition, Chick-fil-A is donating $1,000 in Meredith’s name to LSU and Aim for the Handicapped.
The talented native of Shreveport, La., enjoyed one of the finest years of any women amateur in history. In addition to the U.S. Women’s Amateur which she won in sudden death over Nicole Perrott of Chile, she also captured the Women’s North and South and the Women’s Western Amateur, both among the most prestigious titles in the sport. It was her second win in a row at the Western. She also qualified for the U.S. Women’s Open. During her summer tournaments, she compiled an incredible 20-1 record in match play. Duncan was a second team All-American selection at LSU and collected six top
10 finishes giving her 15 in her first three years. Her scoring average of 74.42 was the third best single season average in school history. At the end of the year, she was named Women’s Amateur Golfer of the Year by GolfWeek magazine.
“This is an incredible honor to win this award, not only for what it stands for but also because it’s named after a person who has been such a great champion and great role model for women’s golf and for sports in general,” said Duncan. “To be chosen from such an outstanding list of candidates is something I will always cherish.”
Duncan was selected from a list of five extraordinarily talented and distinguished international candidates. The Nancy Lopez Award Executive Committee which chaired the award consists of Chairman Mike Waldron (Executive Director of the Georgia State Golf Association), Judy Bell (Past President of the United States Golf Association), Nancy Lopez (LPGA Hall of Fame Member), Rob Neal (V.P. of Business Affairs for the LPGA), Betsy Rawls (LPGA Hall of Fame Member), Steve Robinson (Senior V.P., Marketing, Chick-fil-A, Inc.), Mickey Walker (Former Captain European Solheim Cup Team) and J.T. Williams (President, Metro South Golf Charities-Atlanta).
The Executive Committee selected approximately 50 international golf industry experts who compiled the list of candidates. The committee members and industry experts participated in the voting.
“Having my name associated with this prestigious award and with the tournament is a huge honor for me and a career highlight,” said Ms. Lopez. “I have wonderful memories of competing in college and amateur golf. Meredith is a terrific champion and, I’m sure, will enjoy a long and successful career in this great game.”
Now in its 11th year, the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez has been played each year at Eagle’s Landing Country Club in Stockbridge, Georgia. The Chick-fil-A Corporation has been the tournament’s title sponsor since 1995. With the opening of its 1,000th location on November 8, 2001, Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, Inc., is the nation’s third-largest chicken restaurant chain in sales.
The tournament benefits WinShape Homes, a long-term foster care program created by Chick-fil-A Founder and Chairman Truett Cathy, and AIM for the Handicapped, a favorite charity of Nancy Lopez for over 24 years.
AIM is a Dayton, Ohio-based non-profit organization which utilizes music and movement exercises to further development of handicapped individuals, primarily children. Last year’s charity donation totaled $1 million. Since 1995, the total contribution is now more than $3.1 million.