Nancy started playing golf at the age of eight under the guidance of her father, Domingo, and turned professional after her sophomore year of college. Was inducted into the PGA World Golf Hall of Fame in November 1989. Was named Golfer of the Decade by GOLF Magazine for the years 1978-87 during the Centennial of Golf in America celebration in 1988. Founder and principal of the Nancy Lopez Golf Company. On Oct. 29, 1982 she married baseball star Ray Knight former Major League baseball player and 1986 World Series Most Valuable Player. ...Gave birth to daughter Ashley Marie on Nov. 7, 1983; Erinn Shea on May 26, 1986; and Torri Heather on Oct. 30, 1991.

Nancy Lopez is the first ever Latino woman to make it into the golf hall of fame. She was born in Torrance California on January 6, 1957. Her father owned an auto-body repair shop and always encouraged her. She started playing golf at the age of eight, and immediately took a liking to the sport. At the age of twelve, she won her first tournament, quite a feat for someone so young. She continued to play golf, and win tournaments, throughout her education. She began college at University of Oklahoma , but left in 1977; long before getting a degree. She had decided that she wanted to play golf professionally. In her first year, she won an incredible number of five tournaments, setting the record for both men, and women rookie golfers alike. In her second year, she won 9 tournaments, one of them being a championship; this surprised many professional golfers, both because she was so new to the sport, and because she was a woman. In 1987, Nancy Lopez was inducted into the golfer's hall of fame; the youngest person to ever be allowed in. In 1997, at the age of 40, she won her last tournament, the same tournament where she set the best score ever by a women golfer. Nancy Lopez did much to increase the popularity of women's golf, and also proved that women could do just as well as men, in any sport. Nancy Lopez is definitely a role model for many people who have doubts in themselves. She was not only one of the first women to be successful in professional golf, but she was also in the Latino minority group. That is why I believe she represents the eagle pride word respect, very well. Not only was she well known for respecting her opponents, regardless of who were, but she also had great respect for herself, and extremely high self esteem. She had to know that she was the best, regardless of what other people may have thought. Many people would have just given up, but Nancy Lopez kept on going, and eventually proved herself as one of the best golfers of all time.